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The Liao-Dynasty (), 907-1125, also known as the Khitan Empire, was an empire in northern China that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper. It was founded by the Yelü (耶律 Yēlǜ) family of the Qidan or Khitan people in the final years of the Tang Dynasty, even though its first ruler, Yelü Abaoji, did not declare an era name until 916. Originally known as the Empire of the Khitan, Emperor Yelü Ruan officially adopted the name "Liao" (formally "Great Liao") in 947 (938?). The name "Liao" was dropped in 983, and readopted in 1066. It was annihilated by the Jurchen of the Jin Dynasty in 1125. However, remnants led by Yelü Dashi established Xi (Western) Liao Dynasty 1125-1220, also known as Kara-Khitan Khanate, which survived until the arrival of Genghis Khan's Mongolian cavalry.
History The Khitan were originally nomadic cattle breeders from the Siramuren Valley, a region where pastorial lifestyles were practiced. Chinese farmers that had established themselves in the region lived side by side with Turkish and Mongol tribes. Due to the proximity of the Chinese, the Khitan were quick to become sinicized. During the year 924, the Khitan launched numerous attacks towards the West in order to join the Tangut & Tuyuhun. The following year they then destroyed the Kingdom of Pohai. During the time of their attacks in the Peking area, Emperor Yelü Ruan officially gave their growing empire the name of Liao. Liao is the Chinese term for Siramuren Valley. In 946 the Khitan of the Liao Dynasty attacked as far as Kaifeng, where they stole maps archives, water clocks, musical instruments, the Classics and kidnapped craftsmen and scholars. They then decided to to move further into the present day provinces of Hopei and Shansi. By 986, the Khitan of Liao had expanded into Manchuria and had made incursions into the Yellow River Valley. In 1004, the Song were forced to sign a peace treaty at Shanyuan, near the lower areas of the Yellow River. By this time, the Liao Dynasty had covered much of Manchuria, Eastern Mongolia, Northern Shansi, & Peking. Foreign Contact From the time of the empire's creation all the way to its decline, the Liao Dynasty was recognized by Korea. The Khitan were also in contact with Japan and the Abassid empire, and the court of Baghdad once asked for a Khitan princess for marriage. These relations established the Khitans all across the steppes, before the Mongol expansion. Commercial activity allowed the Khitans to make their name known beyond the Pamirs and in Europe. Decline By the mid 11th century, the Khitan had lost their morale and started adopting a defensive attitude towards their neighbors. This was in part due to the influence of Buddhism and the fact that they had absorbed much of Chinese culture, which had a negative effect on their manners. Around the 12th century, the empire's slow decline sped up as a result of succession problems, natural disasters, and the positive progress of the Jurchen in the north east. More pressure was put on the Khitan when the Jurchen & Song made an alliance against them and in 1124-1125, the Khitan Empire collapsed. Emigration After the fall of the empire, a part of the Khitan nobility led by Yelü Dashi emigrated to the Uighurs of Sinkiang and with their help created the Kingdom Of Karakhitan. This was a Turko-Mongol kingdom that was very sinicized. The kingdom allowed Buddhism and Nestorian Christianity to flourish. Its capital was at Balasaghun, south of Lake Balkhash and extended to the areas of Kashgar and Samarkand. The kingdom enjoyed a victory over the Seljuk Turks near Samarkand in 1141 and remained stable until it was destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1218. Liao Dynasty 907-1125
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