Phùng Hung
Encyclopedia
Phùng Hưng (761–802) was a military leader who briefly reigned over Vietnam
during the 8th century.
According to Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư (fascicile 6), Phùng Hưng, a native of Đường Lâm (in today's Hà Tây Province
), was rich and possessed prodigious physical strength. In 791, Phùng Hưng and his brother, Phùng Hải, led a rebellion against the ruling Tang Dynasty
. Taking the advice of Đỗ Anh Hàn, the Phùng brothers laid siege to the headquarters of the Annam
Protectorate, which was managed by the corrupt officer, Cao Chính Bình. Facing the crisis, Cao Chính Bình caught an illness and died shortly after. Phùng Hưng then became ruler of the Protectorate. He ruled for 11 years and was succeeded by his son Phùng An. Phùng Hưng was entitled Bố Cái Đại Vương by his son, and was defied by the people.
Phùng Hưng is not mentioned in Tang works of history. In Tang Shu
(fascicle 13) and Xin Tang Shu
(fascicle 7), the rebellion is said to have been led by Đỗ Anh Hàn.
As to his posthumous title, which means “Great King” in Chinese, Phùng Hưng's title represented two Viet Han words. The title Bố Cái is equivalent to “Father and Mother” (i.e. as respectable as one’s parents), but they may also represent Vua Cái, “Great King” (i.e. the meaning is expressed in two different languages) (DeFrancis 1977:21-22).
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
during the 8th century.
According to Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư (fascicile 6), Phùng Hưng, a native of Đường Lâm (in today's Hà Tây Province
Ha Tay Province
Hà Tây is a former province of Vietnam, in the Red River Delta, now part of Hanoi. On May 29, 2008, it was decided that Ha Tay would merge with Hanoi province on August 1, 2008.- Geography :...
), was rich and possessed prodigious physical strength. In 791, Phùng Hưng and his brother, Phùng Hải, led a rebellion against the ruling Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
. Taking the advice of Đỗ Anh Hàn, the Phùng brothers laid siege to the headquarters of the Annam
Annam (Chinese Province)
Annam or Jiaozhi was the southernmost province of the Chinese Empire. It is now part of present-day Vietnam...
Protectorate, which was managed by the corrupt officer, Cao Chính Bình. Facing the crisis, Cao Chính Bình caught an illness and died shortly after. Phùng Hưng then became ruler of the Protectorate. He ruled for 11 years and was succeeded by his son Phùng An. Phùng Hưng was entitled Bố Cái Đại Vương by his son, and was defied by the people.
Phùng Hưng is not mentioned in Tang works of history. In Tang Shu
Book of Tang
The Book of Tang , Jiu Tangshu or the Old Book of Tang is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. The book began when Gaozu of Later Jin ordered its commencement in 941...
(fascicle 13) and Xin Tang Shu
New Book of Tang
The New Book of Tang , is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi and other official scholars of the Song Dynasty. The emperor called for a revision of the former Book of Tang in 1044. The New Book was presented to the throne in 1060. It was given its...
(fascicle 7), the rebellion is said to have been led by Đỗ Anh Hàn.
As to his posthumous title, which means “Great King” in Chinese, Phùng Hưng's title represented two Viet Han words. The title Bố Cái is equivalent to “Father and Mother” (i.e. as respectable as one’s parents), but they may also represent Vua Cái, “Great King” (i.e. the meaning is expressed in two different languages) (DeFrancis 1977:21-22).