NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Sixteen Kingdoms

The Sixteen Kingdoms, or less commonly the Sixteen States, were a collection of numerous short-lived sovereignities in the China proper and neighboring areas from AD 304 to 439 after the retreat of the Jin Dynasty (265-420) to South China and before the establishment of the Northern Dynasties. Originally, the term was first introduced by Cui Hong in the lost historical record, Shiliuguo Chunqiu (Spring and Autumn Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms) and restricted to sixteen kingdoms of this era, namely the states of Han Zhao, Later Zhao, Cheng Han, Former Liang, Later Liang, Northern Liang, Western Liang, Southern Liang, Former Yan, Later Yan, Northern Yan, Southern Yan, Former Qin, Later Qin and Western Qin and Xia. The term has been broadened to included all sovereignities from 304 to 439. China is one of the worlds oldest continuous major civilizations, with written records dating back about 3,500 years and with 5,000 years being commonly used by Chinese as the age of their civilization. ... The Three August Ones and Five Emperors (Chinese: 三皇五帝; pinyin: sānhuáng wǔdì, Wade-Giles: san-huang wu-ti) were mythological rulers of China during the period from 2500 BC to 2205 BC, which is the time preceding the Xia dynasty. ... The Xia Dynasty (Hanyu Pinyin: Xia, Wade-Giles: Hsia, Chinese: 夏朝), ca. ... Shang Dynasty (Chinese: 商朝) or Yin Dynasty (殷代) (1600 BC - 1046 BC) followed the legendary Xia Dynasty and preceded the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC - 256 BC) in China. ... The Zhou Dynasty (周朝; Wade-Giles: Chou Dynasty) (late 10th century BC to late 9th century BC - 256 BC) followed the Shang (Yin) Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty in China. ... The Spring and Autumn Period (Chinese: 春秋時代; pinyin: ) represented an era in Chinese history between 722 BC and 481 BC. The period takes its name from the Spring and Autumn Annals, a chronicle of the period whose authorship was traditionally attributed to Confucius. ... Alternative meaning: Warring States Period (Japan) The Warring States Period (traditional Chinese: 戰國時代, simplified Chinese: 战国时代 pinyin Zhànguó Shídài) takes place from sometime in the 5th century BC to the unification of China by Qin in 221 BC. It is nominally considered to be the second part of the Eastern... The Qin Dynasty (Wade-Giles) (秦朝 221 BC - 207 BC) was preceded by the Zhou Dynasty and followed by the Han Dynasty in China. ... Han commanderies and kingdoms AD 2. ... Wang Mang (王莽, pinyin: Wáng Măng) (45 BC–October 6, 23) was a Han Dynasty official who seized the throne from the Liu family and founded Xin Dynasty (新朝, meaning new dynasty), ruling AD 8–23. ... Han commanderies and kingdoms AD 2. ... The Three Kingdoms period (Simplified Chinese: 三国; Traditional Chinese: 三國; Pinyin Sānguó) is a period in the history of China. ... The Jin Dynasty (晉 pinyin jìn, 265-420) followed the Three Kingdoms and preceded the Southern and Northern Dynasties in China. ... This article is about China. ... The Sui Dynasty (隋朝 Hanyu Pinyin: Suí, 581-618) followed the Southern and Northern Dynasties and preceded the Tang Dynasty in China. ... The Tang Dynasty (唐朝 Hanyu Pinyin táng cháo; 618-907) followed the Sui Dynasty and preceded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. ... Wu Zetian (武則天) (625 - December 16, 705), personal name Wu Zhao (武曌), was the only female emperor in the history of China, founding her own dynasty, the Zhou (周), and ruling under the name Emperor Shengshen (聖神皇帝) from 690 to 705. ... Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (Traditional Chinese: 五代十國 Simplified Chinese: 五代十国 Hanyu pinyin: Wǔdàishíguó) (907-960) was a period of political upheaval in China, between the Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty. ... Alternative meaning: Song Dynasty (420-479) The Song dynasty (Chinese: 宋朝) was a ruling dynasty in China from 960-1279. ... The Liao Dynasty (T: 遼朝 S: 辽朝 pinyin: Liáo Cháo), 907-1125, sometimes also known as the Kingdom or Empire of the Khitan, was founded by the Yelü (耶律 Yēlǜ) family of the Khitan tribes in the final years of the Tang Dynasty, although Yelü Abaoji did not declare an... See Xia for other meanings of the Chinese character 夏 xià. ... The Jin Dynasty (金 pinyin: Jīn 1115-1234; Anchu in Jurchen), also known as the Jurchen dynasty, was founded by the Wanyan (完顏 Wányán) clan of the Jurchen, the ancestors of the Manchus who established the Qing Dynasty some 500 years later. ... The Yuan Dynasty (Mongolian: Dai Ön Yeke Mongghul Ulus; Chinese: 大元大蒙古帝国) lasting officially from 1271 to 1368, also called the Mongol Dynasty, was the name given to the significant ruling family of Borjigin in Asia. ... The Ming Dynasty (Chinese: 明朝; Pinyin: míng cháo also called 大明帝国 The Great Ming Empire) was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, though claims to the Ming throne (now collectively called the Southern Ming) survived until 1662. ... The Qing Dynasty (Manchu: daicing gurun; Chinese: 清朝; pinyin: qīng cháo; Wade-Giles: ching chao), sometimes known as the Manchu Dynasty, was founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro, in what is today northeast China expanded into China proper and the surrounding territories of Inner Asia, establishing the... The Republic of China succeeded the Qing Dynasty in China and ruled mainland China from 1912 to 1949. ... The Peoples Republic of China was proclaimed in the aftermath of the Communist Partys triumph in the Chinese Civil War by Mao Zedong on October 1, 1949 with Beijing as capital. ... The rise of Deng Xiaoping Maos death in September 1976 removed the great helmsman from the scene. ... Recovery in the 1990s After the June 4th Incident, a large number of overseas Chinese students were granted political refuge almost unconditionally by foreign governments. ... The Fourth Generation of Leaders and the 16th CPC Congress In November 2002 Jiang Zemin stepped down from the powerful Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China to make way for a younger fourth generation of leadership led by Hu Jintao. ... The Cheng Han (Simplified Chinese character: 成汉, Traditional Chinese character: 成漢, pinyin Chénghàn) (303 or 304-347) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Han Zhao (Simplified Chinese characters: 汉赵, Traditional Chinese characters: 漢趙, pinyin: Hànzhào) (304-329) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Chinese Jin Dynasty (265-420). ... The Later Zhao (Simplified Chinese character: 后赵, Traditional Chinese character: 後趙, Hanyu pinyin Hòuzhào) (319-351) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Former Liang (Chinese character: 前凉, Hanyu pinyin Qián Liáng) (320-376) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Later Liang (Simplified Chinese character: 后凉, Traditional Chinese character: 後凉, Hanyu pinyin Hòu Liáng) (320-376) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Western Liang (Chinese character: 西凉, Hanyu pinyin Xī Liáng) (400-421) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Northern Liang (Chinese character: 北凉, Hanyu pinyin Bĕi Liáng) (397-439) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Southern Liang (Chinese character: 南凉, Hanyu pinyin Nánliáng) (397-414) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Former Qin (Chinese character: 前秦, Hanyu pinyin Qiánqín) (351-394) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Later Qin (Simplified Chinese character: 后秦, Traditional Chinese character: 後秦, pinyin Hòuqín) (384-417) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Western Qin (Simplified Chinese character: 西秦, Traditional Chinese character: 西秦, pinyin Xīqín (385-400, 409-431)) was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Former Yan (Simplified Chinese character: 前燕, Traditional Chinese character: 前燕, pinyin Qiányàn) (337-370) was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Later Yan (Simplified Chinese character: 后燕, Traditional Chinese character: 後燕, pinyin Hòuyàn) (384-407 or 409) was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Northern Yan (Simplified Chinese character: 北燕, Traditional Chinese character: 北燕, pinyin Bĕiyàn) (407 or 409-436) was a state of Han Chinese during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Southern Yan (Simplified Chinese character: 南燕, Traditional Chinese character: 南燕, pinyin Nányàn) (398-410) was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Tiefu (Simplified Chinese character: 铁弗, Traditional Chinese character: 鐵弗, pinyin: Tiěfú) was a pre-state Hunnic tribe during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... Ran Min (Simplified Chinese character: 冉闵; Chinese character: 冉閔, pinyin: Rǎn Mǐn) was a Han Chinese military leader during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... Qiao Zong (d. ... The Western Yan (Simplified Chinese character: 西燕, Traditional Chinese character: 西燕, pinyin Xīyàn) (384-394) was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Duan (Simplified Chinese character: 段, Traditional Chinese character: 段, pinyin Duàn) was a pre-state tribe of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Yuwen (Simplified Chinese character: 宇文, Traditional Chinese character: 宇文, pinyin Yǔwén) was a pre-state tribe of Xianbei and Hun ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... Related Topics Di Wu Hu List of past Chinese ethnic groups ... The term China proper is usually used to refer to the historical heartlands of China, and to make a contrast between these heartlands and frontier regions of Outer China (Inner Asia). ... Events Major Wu Hu (barbarian) uprising in China; the Hun Liu Yuan establish the Han kingdom, beginning the Sixteen Kingdoms era in China. ... Events Eudoxia, wife of the Roman Emperor Valentinian III, is granted the rank of Augusta following the birth of their daughter Eudocia. ... The Jin Dynasty (晉 pinyin jìn, 265-420) followed the Three Kingdoms and preceded the Southern and Northern Dynasties in China. ... The Northern Dynasties (北朝 bei3 zhao1) included Northern Wei Dynasty, Eastern Wei Dynasty, Western Wei Dynasty, Northern Qi Dynasty, Northern Zhou Dynasty. ... The Han Zhao (Simplified Chinese characters: 汉赵, Traditional Chinese characters: 漢趙, pinyin: Hànzhào) (304-329) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Chinese Jin Dynasty (265-420). ... The Later Zhao (Simplified Chinese character: 后赵, Traditional Chinese character: 後趙, Hanyu pinyin Hòuzhào) (319-351) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Cheng Han (Simplified Chinese character: 成汉, Traditional Chinese character: 成漢, pinyin Chénghàn) (303 or 304-347) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Former Liang (Chinese character: 前凉, Hanyu pinyin Qián Liáng) (320-376) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Later Liang (Simplified Chinese character: 后凉, Traditional Chinese character: 後凉, Hanyu pinyin Hòu Liáng) (320-376) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Northern Liang (Chinese character: 北凉, Hanyu pinyin Bĕi Liáng) (397-439) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Western Liang (Chinese character: 西凉, Hanyu pinyin Xī Liáng) (400-421) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Southern Liang (Chinese character: 南凉, Hanyu pinyin Nánliáng) (397-414) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Former Yan (Simplified Chinese character: 前燕, Traditional Chinese character: 前燕, pinyin Qiányàn) (337-370) was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Later Yan (Simplified Chinese character: 后燕, Traditional Chinese character: 後燕, pinyin Hòuyàn) (384-407 or 409) was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Northern Yan (Simplified Chinese character: 北燕, Traditional Chinese character: 北燕, pinyin Bĕiyàn) (407 or 409-436) was a state of Han Chinese during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Southern Yan (Simplified Chinese character: 南燕, Traditional Chinese character: 南燕, pinyin Nányàn) (398-410) was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Former Qin (Chinese character: 前秦, Hanyu pinyin Qiánqín) (351-394) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Later Qin (Simplified Chinese character: 后秦, Traditional Chinese character: 後秦, pinyin Hòuqín) (384-417) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Western Qin (Simplified Chinese character: 西秦, Traditional Chinese character: 西秦, pinyin Xīqín (385-400, 409-431)) was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... Xia (夏) details several meanings in the Chinese language and the History of China: The season of summer Xia (philosophy) is a Chinese philosophy similar (but not identical) to the chivalrous code of European knights. ...

A less used term, the Period of Sixteen Kingdoms represents this turbulent era from 304 to 439. Events Major Wu Hu (barbarian) uprising in China; the Hun Liu Yuan establish the Han kingdom, beginning the Sixteen Kingdoms era in China. ... Events Eudoxia, wife of the Roman Emperor Valentinian III, is granted the rank of Augusta following the birth of their daughter Eudocia. ...

Almost all rulers of the kingdoms were part of the Wu Hu ethnicity and claimed to be the emperors and wangs (kings). The Han Chinese founded the four states of the Northern Yan, Western Liang, Former Liang and the state of Wei (by Ran Min). Six Chinese rulers of the Former Liang remained titularly under the government of the Jin Dynasty. The Northern Wei Dynasty is not counted as one of the Sixteen Kingdoms even though it was founded during the Period. This article is in need of attention. ... An emperor is a monarch and sovereign ruler of an empire or any other imperial realm. ... Wang (King) and Huangdi (Emperor) The King or Wang (王 wang2) was the title of the Chinese head of state from the Zhou dynasty until the Qin dynasty. ... A monarch is a type of ruler or head of state. ... Han Chinese (Simplified Chinese: 汉族; Traditional Chinese: 漢族; pinyin: ) is a term which refers to the majority ethnic group within China and the largest single human ethnic group in the world. ... The Northern Yan (Simplified Chinese character: 北燕, Traditional Chinese character: 北燕, pinyin Bĕiyàn) (407 or 409-436) was a state of Han Chinese during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Western Liang (Chinese character: 西凉, Hanyu pinyin Xī Liáng) (400-421) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Former Liang (Chinese character: 前凉, Hanyu pinyin Qián Liáng) (320-376) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The following details the state of Wei of the Warring States Period. ... Ran Min (Simplified Chinese character: 冉闵; Chinese character: 冉閔, pinyin: Rǎn Mǐn) was a Han Chinese military leader during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. ... The Former Liang (Chinese character: 前凉, Hanyu pinyin Qián Liáng) (320-376) was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in China. ... The Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏 386-534) is most noted for the unification of northern China in 440, it was also heavily involved in funding the arts and many antiques and art works from this period have survived. ...