Application of L. N. Gumilyov’s Ethnogenesis Theory to the Study of Sino-Xiongnu Relations

The relationship between China and the nomadic peoples of Central Asia, particularly the Xiongnu, has long captivated historians. These ties, fraught with contradictions and tensions, remain a key topic for understanding Eurasian history. However, conventional approaches to their study often overlook the complexity and multilayered nature of this interaction. Here, Lev Nikolaevich Gumilyov’s theory of ethnogenesis comes to the rescue—an approach that integrates historical geography, anthropology, and ecology, offering a fresh perspective on the past. Objects of Study: The Han Empire and the Xiongnu Confederation as two historical entities whose destinies became intertwined during the early antiquity period. Subject of Study: Their interactions in the 2nd–1st centuries BCE, viewed through the lens of Gumilyov’s ethnogenesis theory. Key methods include: Applying the concepts of passionarity, encompassing landscape, and phases of ethnogenesis to interpret historical events; Comparative analysis of ecological and social factors driving conflict dynamics; Verification of theoretical propositions using historical data. The source base comprises primary historical texts such as Ban Gu’s Book of Han (Hanshu) and archaeological materials. Research Hypothesis: Gumilyov’s theory, grounded in the notions of passionarity, ethnogenesis stages, and environmental influence, can explain why Sino-Xiongnu relations developed so unpredictably and demonstrate how ecological and energy factors shaped their dynamics. Scientific Novelty: This work marks the first systematic application of Gumilyov’s ethnogenesis theory to the study of Sino-Xiongnu relations. This approach expands its geographical applicability and tests its potential in the context of Eastern societies, which had previously been overlooked in most research. Analysis Findings: Gumilyov’s model explains the nonlinear nature of their interactions, the ecological determinism of conflicts, and the cyclical character of ethnic processes. Practical Significance: The study broadens the geographical scope of Gumilyov’s theory and verifies its applicability to Eastern societies.