Three Kingdoms, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties — Wars and Fusions in Turbulent Times

This was a period of division in ancient Chinese history, encompassing the Three Kingdoms (220–280), the Jin Dynasty (265–420), and the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420–589).

During the 369 years of this period, more than 30 separatist regimes emerged, ruled, and faded within the territory once unified under the Han Dynasty (202 BC–220 AD).

Unearthed Golden Stirrup of Era of Three Kingdoms, Jin, North and South Dynasties

Golden Stirrup of Era of Three Kingdoms, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties — National Museum of China

Three Kingdoms, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties Facts

Brief History of the Three Kingdoms, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties

Political Structure and Social Systems

Three Kingdoms, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties Achievements

Dragon Kuilong Shaped Agate Decoration (Bi) of the Jin Dynasty — Luoyang Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Facts About Three Kingdoms, Jin Dynasty, Northern and Southern Dynasties

Powerful clans and their large-scale, independent manorial economy were dominant during this period.

The ruling class was mainly chosen from powerful clans and aristocrats; commoners barely had the chance to get involved in politics. Family origins, again, triumphed over ability.

Essential essences of traditional Chinese culture, such as Confucianism and the Divine of King, were severely challenged and overthrown. Conspiracy, chaos, and war became the main themes of this era.

Blood Amber Figurine Unearthed From Tomb of Queen of Kingdom Wei of the Three Kingdoms Era — Luoyang Cultural Relic and Archeology Institute (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism started to merge in this era.

Spectacular grottoes were all built in this era: the Mogao Grottoes, Yungang Grottoes, Maiji Mountain Grottoes, and Longmen Grottoes.

The long poem about the famous heroine Mulan was written in this era.

Hermit was the most popular trend for well-educated people who didn't want to be involved in orderless politics.

They and their arts were deviant, rakish, religious, and disengaged.

They pursued peace in nature, Taoism, or metaphysics and buried themselves in art, literature, and alcohol.

Exquisite Boat on Part of The Picture of the Ode of the River Goddess, by Great Poet and Artist Gu Kaizhi (348 — 409) of the Jin Dynasty

History of Three Kingdoms, Jin Dynasty, Northern and Southern Dynasties

Rise and Fall of the Three Kingdoms

In the late Han Dynasty, there were many powerful warlords.

One of them controlled Emperor Liu Xie and then forced him to abdicate the throne.

After this abdication, the Han Dynasty officially ended.

The lord who got the throne named his kingdom Wei, while there were two other big kingdoms named Shu and Wu.

This was the Three Kingdoms era when they kept fighting against each other and trying to unify the nation.

However, regent Sima usurped the throne of the Kingdom Wei, perished the other two kingdoms, and then unified the nation in the year 280.

Unearthed Jade Cup of the Three Kingdoms

Jade Cup of the Kingdom Wei of the Three Kingdoms Era — Luoyang Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Western and Eastern Jin Dynasty Reigned by the House of Sima

This new unified Empire was the Western Jin Dynasty (265 — 316), which lasted only a few decades.

In this chaotic era, intelligent people couldn't realize their decent political ambitions, so they became rakish hermits.

Great artist Ji Kang and extraordinary writer Ruan Ji are famous examples.

Later, the Jin Empire was overthrown and brought to an end by rebellions.

A royal from the House of Sima reestablished a smaller empire in another east city called the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317 — 420).

Unearthed Epitaph of Wang Xingzhi of the Eastern Jin Dynasty — Oriental Metropolitan Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Changing Empires of the Southern Dynasties

Later, the Eastern Jin Dynasty in the south of China was replaced by Kingdom Song (420 — 479), followed by the Kingdom Qi (479 — 502), Kingdom Liang (502 — 557), and Kingdom Chen (557 — 589).

Together they were named Southern Dynasties.

Since each kingdom didn’t last very long, many of their kings ended up tragically. Such as the excellent King Xiao Yan of the Kingdom Liang, who starved to death in his 80s.

Unearthed Portrait Brick of Noble Women of the North and South Dynasties

Portrait Brick of Noble Women of the Northern and Southern Dynasties — National Museum of China

Development and Cultural Integration of the Northern Dynasties

The Northern Dynasties, however, experienced even more regimes.

After decades of chaos and wars, a talented king Fu Jian almost unified northern China.

But after he failed in a big war against the southern empire, his kingdom started to decline; he was betrayed by his beloved former lover (a handsome prince) and assassinated by his trusted general.

Then, the Northern Wei (386 — 534) was established and growing; soon, it became the strongest one in the north. Empress Dowager Feng, though born as a royal maid, proved herself a successful politician who flourished the country further.

She also raised and trained one of the greatest sovereigns in this era, King Yuan Hong, who implemented reforms that promoted national amalgamation, economy, and politics.

Exquisite Artifacts of the Northern Wei Dynasty (Photo by Dongmaiying)

End of the Northern and Southern Dynasties

Then, the north kept progressing in the next few decades until Yang Jian took the throne from his 8-year-old king and established a new empire.

Eight years later, this new empire defeated the other regimes and unified the nation.

Yang Jian, also honored as Emperor Wen of Sui ended this chaotic, separated era and replaced it with his new prosperous empire, the Sui Dynasty.

Unearthed Gold Decoration of the North Qi Dynasty

Gold Decoration of the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 — 577) — Shanxi Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Political Structure and Social Systems

Population

The estimated population during the Three Kingdoms, Jin Dynasty, and Northern and Southern Dynasties varied due to wars and separation, ranging approximately from 16 million to 50 million.

Political System

In this era, the ruling class was constituted by Powerful Clans, who held exclusive ownership of all land and wielded authority over political power.

Official Selection System

The Official Selection System varied across different kingdoms, with the prevalent criteria being largely based on hereditary aristocracy and the influence of powerful clans.

Tax

Taxes varied in different kingdoms but mainly included farmland products, capitation taxes, and labor services.

Pottery Model of Fortress (Wu Bao) in the Three Kingdoms Era — Wuhan Museum

Military Service

Hereditary professional soldiers emerged, and they held a status inferior to that of civilians, obliged to pursue a military career unless they achieved promotion to civilian ranks.

In some northern kingdoms established by nomadic minorities, these professional soldiers were accorded greater respect. They engaged in cultivation during peacetime and participated in battles during wartime.

Furthermore, they were distinct from other civilians and were exempt from paying taxes.

Land System

The land system underwent variations due to wars and frequent changes of regimes, but predominantly, civilians and soldiers were allocated specific parcels of government-owned land for cultivation, with corresponding tax and labor obligations.

Painted Stone Buddha Statue of Northern Qi Dynasty — Qingzhou Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Three Kingdoms, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties Achievements

The River Classic (by Li Daoyuan): a geological masterpiece that documented thousands of rivers, lakes, mountains, species, architectures, and agricultural and industrial achievements.