A well-known ruler of Western Xiongnu who is recorded in history. His name is noted like Valamir or Balamber. In 370, the western Xiongnu crossed the Volga River, broke up the Alans in the North Caucasus, and entered Eastern Europe. In 371, they defeated the Gots on the north coast of the Black Sea and attacked to the west. In 378, he died after the defeat of the Ostrogoths.
Ban Chao (32-102 CE)
East Han dynasty and a famous Chinese general. He was the younger brother of a famous historian, Ban Gu. He participated in several battles against Xiongnu. Thanks to his command, the East Han managed to control the Tarim basin, Loulan, Hotan, and Kashgar and protected the regions along the Silk Road, after the fight against Xiongnu for 31 years. He was a skillful politician who was able to be supported by the Kushan in order to mount an alliance against the Kangju for the Kashkaria. Afterward, he won the combat caused by a conflict with the Kushan or Yuezhi in 90 CE. He was officially promoted as a governor in the Western region and stationed in Qiuci or Kucha city. In 91 CE, over 50 city-states joined Han Dynasty after conquering Yanqi or Kashgar. In 97 CE, he sent a messenger named Guan Yin to Parthian Empire, but the messenger reached the only Persian Gulf. He retired due to illness in 102 CE. Since then, the Xiongnu dominated the Western region again.
Ban Gu (32-92 CE)
Chinese prominent historian and poet of 1st c, CE, The compiler of the Han Shu- The History of Han dynasty. Ban Gu was a famous historian in the West Han imperial court but did not advance well in the official hierarchy. He served under Don Xian, the General major and War minister, and acted as a counselor on the Xiongnu fighting committee. Although Dou won prestige for two successful campaigns against the Xiongnu, in 92 CE he was suspected by Hedi Emperor of plotting a rebellion and forced to commit suicide. Immediately thereafter, Ban was dismissed from office and arrested by an old rival who was serving as the prefect of Luoyang. Ban died in prison that same year at 61 years old. His major work- Han Shu, especially Chapter 94 contains a large amount of important information on Xiongnu culture and history. Although Ban Gu largely used Sima Qian works to compile the Xiongnu chapter, it contains also fresh materials on the customs, social and political life of Xiongnu.
