Emperor Wu is also known as Han Wudi.  He reigned from 141 to 87 BCE and was the ruler at the height of the power of the Han Dynasty.

Emperor Wu was reponsible for many imporatnt advances during Han times.  For example, in economic terms, he instigated a major program of building canals.  This included a canal linking Beijing to the Yellow River.  Emperor Wu was also important in the area of military expansion of the empire.  He conquered much more of the area that is now China, as well as areas like northern Vietnam and northern Korea that are not.  Finally, Emperor Wu contributed to the government by adopting Confucianism as the official state philosophy.

In these ways, Han Wudi had a tremendous impact on Han history.