Jin Dynasty (265-420) (original) (raw)

zh-cn:晋朝zh-tw:晉朝

This article is part of the History of China series.
Shang Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
Han Dynasty
Three Kingdoms
Jin Dynasty
Southern and Northern Dynasties
Sui Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period
Song Dynasty
Yuan Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
History of the Republic of China
History of the PRC (1949-1976)
History of the PRC (1976-present)
Timeline of Chinese History

Overview

The Jin Dynasty (晉 pinyin j�n, 265-420) followed the Three Kingdoms and preceded the Southern and Northern Dynasties in China. The dynasty was founded by the Sima family, 司馬 pinyin Sīmǎ.

The first of the two periods, the Western Jin Dynasty (ch. 西晉, 265-316), was founded by Emperor Wu. Although providing a brief period of unity after conquering the Kingdom of Wu in AD 280, the Jin could not contain the invasion and uprising of nomadic peoples after the devastating War of the Eight Princes. The capital was Luoyang until 311 when Emperor Huai was captured by the forces of Han Zhao. Successive reign of Emperor Min lasted four years in Chang'an until its conquest by Former Zhao in 316.

Meanwhile remnants of the Jin court fled from the north to the south and reestablished the Jin court at Jiankang, whch was located south-eastward of Luoyang and Chang'an and near modern-day Nanjing, under Prince of Longya. Prominent local families of Zhu, Gan, Lu, Gu and Zhou supported the proclamation of Prince of Longya as Emperor Yuan of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (ch. 东晉 317-420) when the news of the fall of Chang'an reached the south.

Militaristic authorities and crises plagued the Eastern Jin court throughout its 104 years of existence. It survived the rebellions of Wang Dun and Su Jun. Huan Wen died in 373 before proclaiming himself emperor. Battle of Fei turned out to be a victory of Jin under a short-lived cooperation of Huan Chong, brother of Huan Wen and the Prime Minister (or Imperial Secretariat) Xie An. Huan Xuan, son of Huan Wen, usurped and changed the name of the dynasty to Chu. He was toppled by Liu Yu, who proclaimed himself Emperor Wu and forced the abdication of the last emperor, Emperor Gong, in 420.