Early Lý Dynasty

Not to be confused with Lý Dynasty.

Early Lý Dynasty Nhà Tiền Lý
← 544–602 →
Capital		Long Biên
Government		Monarchy
Emperor
-	544-548	Lý Nam Đế (first)
-	571-602	Hậu Lý Nam Đế (last)
History
-	Lý Bí proclaimed himself emperor	544
-	Surrender of Hậu Lý Nam Đế	602

History of Vietnam

2879–0258 Hồng Bàng Dynasty 2879–1913 • Early Hồng Bàng 1912–1055 • Mid-Hồng Bàng 1054–258 • Late Hồng Bàng 257–207 Thục Dynasty 207–111 Triệu Dynasty 111–40 1st Chinese domination 40–43 Trưng Sisters 43–544 2nd Chinese domination 544–602 Early Lý Dynasty 602–938 3rd Chinese domination 939–967 Ngô Dynasty 968–980 Đinh Dynasty 980–1009 Early Lê Dynasty 1009–1225 Later Lý Dynasty 1225–1400 Trần Dynasty 1400–1407 Hồ Dynasty 1407–1427 4th Chinese domination 1428–1788 Later Lê Dynasty 1527–1592 • Mạc Dynasty 1545–1787 • Trịnh Lords 1558–1777 • Nguyễn Lords 1778–1802 Tây Sơn Dynasty 1802–1945 Nguyễn Dynasty 1858–1945 • French imperialism from 1945 Republic Further subjects Champa Dynasties 192–1832 Historical capitals Prehistoric cultures List of monarchs Country's names Economic history Military history

The Early Lý Dynasty (Vietnamese: nhà Tiền Lý) was a dynasty of Vietnam dating from 544 to 602. Its founder, Lý Nam Đế (Lý Bí) (r. 544 - 548) is traditionally counted the first emperor of Vietnam, as signified by the throne name ending with "Đế," (literally "Lý South Emperor"). The capital at that time was Long Biên and the country was known as Vạn Xuân.

This dynasty is to be distinguished from the main Lý Dynasty, or Later Lý Dynasty, (nhà Hậu Lý) 1009-1225 founded by Lý Thái Tổ.

Political resistance

The sixth century was an important stage in the Vietnamese political evolution toward independence. During this period, the Vietnamese aristocracy became increasingly independent of Chinese authority, while retaining Chinese political and cultural forms. At the same time, indigenous leaders arose who claimed power based on Vietnamese traditions of kingship. A series of failed revolts in the late sixth and early seventh centuries increased the Vietnamese national consciousness. Lý Bí (Lý Nam Đế), the leader of a successful revolt in 543 against the Liang dynasty, was himself descended from a Chinese family that had fled to the Red River Delta during a period of dynastic turbulence in the first century A.D. Lý Bí declared himself emperor of Nam Việt in the tradition of Triệu Đà and organized an imperial court at Long Biên. Lý Bí was killed in 547, but his followers kept the revolt alive for another fifty years, establishing what is sometimes referred to in Vietnamese history as the Earlier Lý Dynasty.

While the Lý family retreated to the mountains and attempted to rule in the style of their Chinese overlords, a rebel leader who based his rule on an indigenous form of kingship arose in the Red River Delta. Triệu Quang Phục made his headquarters on an island in a vast swamp. From this refuge, he could strike without warning, seizing supplies from the Liang army and then slipping back into the labyrinthine channels of the swamp. Despite the initial success of such guerrilla tactics, by which he gained control over the Red River Delta, Triệu Quang Phục was defeated by 570. According to a much later Vietnamese revolutionary, General Võ Nguyên Giáp, Vietnamese concepts of protracted warfare were born in the surprise offensives, night attacks, and hit-and-run tactics employed by Triệu Quang Phục.

Anterior Lý Dynasty

Regal Titles

• Lý Nam Đế I (r. 542–548) Lý Nam Đế's pre-throne name was Lý Bí, also known as Lý Bôn.
• Lý Thiên Bảo (r. 548–555, co-reigned with Triệu Quang Phục)
• Triệu Việt Vương (r. 548–571, 555–571 as sole ruler)
• Lý Nam Đế II (r. 571–602)

References

• Tucker, Spencer C. Vietnam. University Press of Kentucky, Feb 25, 1999 - 256 pages

Preceded by Second Chinese domination

Dynasty of Vietnam 544–602

Succeeded by Third Chinese domination