In AD 17 heavy
rains fell all over
China. Because the
dykes were not maintained by
Imperial authorities, the
Yellow River flooded. Enormous damage was caused and thousands of
peasants made homeless.
The peasants of Shantung Province angrily turned upon the Imperial officers who had neglected their duty and
rebellion broke out.
In order to make themselves appear more frightening, the rebels painted their
eyebrows red. Landowners joined the peasants and the revolt of the "Red Eyebrows" spread across China. The
Emperor Wang Mang was killed and a new Emperor set up in his place.