Thirteen Emperor Roll

The Thirteen Emperor Scroll ( Chinese 歷代帝王圖卷 / 历代帝王图卷 , Pinyin lì dài dì wáng tú juǎn ) is a large-format painting measuring 51.3 cm × 5.31 m, which is done in ink and color on silk is painted. It comes from the early Tang dynasty in China and is traditionally attributed to the painter Yan Liben (approx. 600–673).

Thirteen emperors from different predecessor dynasties are depicted on the roll, embodying different virtues or weaknesses. The role is exhibited today in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (Massachusetts, USA). It came there in 1931 as part of the Denman Waldo Ross collection .

Depicted emperors in chronological order

Name and dynasty	Reign	Remarks
Zhao from Han	87 BC Chr. - 74 BC Chr.	Stabilized the Western Han Dynasty
Guangwu from Han	A.D. 25 - A.D. 57	Established the Eastern Han Dynasty and united China
Wen of Wei	220-226	Founded the Wei Dynasty
Zhaolie from Shu Han	221-223	Established the Shu Han
Since from Wu	229-252	Founded the Wu Dynasty
Wu from Jin	265-290	Founded the Jin Dynasty and united China
Wu from Zhou	561-578	Strived to unite China
Wen from Chen	560-566	Second emperor of the Chen dynasty
Fei from Chen	566-568	Third Emperor of the Chen Dynasty, under whom the empire became troubled
Xuan from Chen	568-582	Fourth Emperor of the Chen Dynasty, stabilized the empire
Chen Shubao	582-589	Last emperor of the Chen dynasty, the empire perished
Wen from Sui	581-604	Founded the Sui Dynasty
Yang from Sui	604-618	Second and last emperor of the Sui dynasty, pursued ambitious building projects