The Han dynasty (206 BCE – CE 220) was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin dynasty (221–207 BCE) and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms period (220–280).

It is founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han.

It is briefly interrupted by the Xin dynasty (9–23) of the former regent Wang Mang.

This interregnum separates the Han dynasty into two periods: the Western Han or Former Han (206 BCE–CE 9) and the Eastern Han or Latter Han (25–220).

Spanning over four centuries, the Han period is considered a golden age in Chinese history.To this day, China's majority ethnic group refers to itself as the "Han people" and the Chinese script is referred to as "Han characters".