The Han Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China. Founded by rebel leader Liu Bang, previously a captain in the Qin Dynasty's army, later to be called Emperor Gaozu of Han. The Han Dyansty lasted from 206 BC - 220 AD and is referred to as the golden age of China. To this day China's majority ethinc group refers to itself as "Han people" as well as when writing chinese characters it is called writing "Han characters." The Han dynasty crumbed through political and economic pressures. With three emperors claiming that they were the rightful emperor of the Han Dynasty leading to the Three Kingdoms.