Xiangyu

Xiangyu, usually romanized as Xiang Yu, refers primarily to the prominent 3rd-century BCE Chinese military leader and warlord who helped bring down the Qin Dynasty and later contested for supremacy in the Chu–Han Contention. He was the son of Xiang Liang and rose to power as a key figure in the late Qin uprisings.

After the fall of Qin, Xiang Yu led rebel forces and established the state of Western Chu, with his base at Pengcheng. He earned the title Hegemon-King of Western Chu for his military prowess and leadership during the upheavals that followed Qin collapse. One of his noted early victories was at the Battle of Julu in 207 BCE, which significantly weakened Qin authority and accelerated the dynasty’s end. In the Chu–Han Contention, he faced Liu Bang in a protracted struggle for control over China. Xiang Yu’s forces were finally defeated at Gaixia in 202 BCE, and he died soon after, with historical accounts differing on the exact circumstances of his death.

Legacy of Xiang Yu is multifaceted: he is remembered as a formidable and valiant fighter who played a decisive role in shaping the transition from the Qin to subsequent dynastic rule. His life has been the subject of Chinese literature and opera, where he is often portrayed as a tragic hero and symbol of resistance against overwhelming odds.

Xiangyu is also used as a personal name in modern contexts, and as a transliteration variant for Xiang Yu in various historical texts. In contemporary usage, it may refer to individuals named Xiangyu as well as discussions of the historical figure.