War of the Eight Princes
Encyclopedia
The War of the Eight Princes or Rebellion of the Eight Kings or Rebellion of the Eight Princes was a civil war for power among princes and dukes (wang ch. 王) of the Chinese
Jin Dynasty
from AD 291
to AD 306
. It was fought mostly in northern China and devastated the country, later triggering the Wu Hu
ravaging. The term stems from biographies of eight princes collected in chapter 59 of the "History of Jin Dynasty" (Jinshu
).
Following the death of Emperor Wu
in 290
, a complex power struggle began amongst the Sima clan. The new emperor, Emperor Hui
, was developmentally disabled, and factions fought to control the imperial court. Initially, the emperor's stepmother, Empress Dowager Yang
, exerted the most power at the courts, and empowered her family, the Yang consort clan
, with her father Yang Jun given the most power.
The emperor's wife, Empress Jia Nanfeng
enlisted the help of Sima Wei
and Sima Yao, whose troops then killed Yang Jun and his faction in the palace in 291
; the empress dowager was removed from power and died in prison.
Power then passed to Sima Liang
, the emperor's grand-uncle. However, Empress Jia plotted with Sima Wei and convinced the prince to kill Sima Liang. She then announced that Sima Wei was acting without imperial orders and executed him. The empress and the Jia clan remained in power until 300
, when she deposed and assassinated the heir to the throne, Sima Yu
, her husband's son by the concubine Consort Xie Jiu.
Sima Lun
, who commanded the imperial guards, took this opportunity to kill the Empress Jia and her faction. Sima Lun placed himself in power and tried to centralize control over the powerful princes; this resulted in Sima Yao's rebellion, who marched his troops to capital against Sima Lun; Sima Yao was killed by Sima Lun's troops in the ensuing battle in Luoyang. Sima Lun then imprisoned Emperor Hui and styled himself as the new emperor.
In response, Sima Jiong
led a coalition of forces, including Sima Ying
and Sima Yong
, against Sima Lun. They defeated Sima Lun's troops, killed him, and then re-established Emperor Hui as the emperor, with Sima Jiong exerting the most influence at the imperial court. When Sima Jiong tried to centralize power in his hands, the princes rebelled against him, and he was defeated by Sima Ai
, the Prince of Changsha and killed.
Likewise, Sima Ai held power briefly, then was later defeated by Sima Yue
and killed. Sima Yue's troops by this time had strongly incorporated Wuhuan
and Xianbei
troops as cavalry.
Power then passed to Sima Ying, who was then defeated and fled Luoyang with the emperor. He was finally captured by Sima Yong, who was in turn defeated by Sima Yue's troops. Emperor Hui was poisoned in 307
, and his brother, Emperor Huai
, ascended the throne. Sima Ying and Sima Yong were eventually captured and killed; Sima Yong died on February 7, 307, which marked the official end of the struggle.
The resultant winner was last surviving major prince, Sima Yue. The struggle depopulated northern China and greatly weakened the strength of the Jin Dynasty.
The eight princes included:
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Jin Dynasty
Jìn Dynasty (265-420)
The Jìn Dynasty , was a dynasty in Chinese history, lasting between the years 265 and 420 AD. There are two main divisions in the history of the Dynasty, the first being Western Jin and the second Eastern Jin...
from AD 291
291
Year 291 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Tiberianus and Dio...
to AD 306
306
Year 306 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Constantius and Valerius...
. It was fought mostly in northern China and devastated the country, later triggering the Wu Hu
Wu Hu
Wu Hu was a Chinese term for the northern non-Chinese nomadic tribes which caused the Wu Hu uprising, and established the Sixteen Kingdoms from 304 to 439 AD.-Definition:...
ravaging. The term stems from biographies of eight princes collected in chapter 59 of the "History of Jin Dynasty" (Jinshu
Book of Jin
The Book of Jin is one of the official Chinese historical works. It covers the history of Jin Dynasty from 265 to 420, which written by a number of officials commissioned by the court of Tang Dynasty, with the lead editor being the Prime Minister Fang Xuanling, drawing mostly from the official...
).
Following the death of Emperor Wu
Emperor Wu of Jìn
Emperor Wu of Jin, , personal name Sima Yan , style name Anshi , was the grandson of Sima Yi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, last ruler of the state of Cao Wei, to abdicate to him. He reigned from 265 to 290, and after conquering the...
in 290
290
Year 290 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Valerius and Valerius...
, a complex power struggle began amongst the Sima clan. The new emperor, Emperor Hui
Emperor Hui of Jin
Emperor Hui of Jin, sim. ch. 晋惠帝, trad. ch. 晉惠帝, py. jìn huì dì, wg. Chin Hui-ti , personal name Sima Zhong , courtesy name Zhengdu , was the second emperor of the Jin Dynasty...
, was developmentally disabled, and factions fought to control the imperial court. Initially, the emperor's stepmother, Empress Dowager Yang
Empress Yang Zhi
Empress Yang Zhi , courtesy name Jilan , nickname Nanyin , formally Empress Wudao was an empress of Jin Dynasty...
, exerted the most power at the courts, and empowered her family, the Yang consort clan
Consort clan
The consort clan is the family, clan of or group related to an empress dowager or a spouse of a Chinese dynastic ruler or a warlord. The leading figure of the clan was either a sibling, cousin, or parent of the empress or consort.- Han Dynasty :...
, with her father Yang Jun given the most power.
The emperor's wife, Empress Jia Nanfeng
Empress Jia Nanfeng
Empress Jia Nanfeng , nickname Shi , of the Jin Dynasty was the daughter of Jia Chong and first wife of Emperor Hui...
enlisted the help of Sima Wei
Sima Wei
Sima Wei , courtesy name Yandu , formally Prince Yin of Chu , was an imperial prince during Jin Dynasty and was the second of the eight princes commonly associated with the War of the Eight Princes.-Biography:...
and Sima Yao, whose troops then killed Yang Jun and his faction in the palace in 291
291
Year 291 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Tiberianus and Dio...
; the empress dowager was removed from power and died in prison.
Power then passed to Sima Liang
Sima Liang
Sima Liang , courtesy name Ziyi , formally Prince Wencheng of Ru'nan , was briefly a regent during the reign of Emperor Hui during Jin Dynasty . He was the first of the eight princes commonly associated with the War of the Eight Princes.-Biography:Sima Liang was the fourth son of Sima Yi, by his...
, the emperor's grand-uncle. However, Empress Jia plotted with Sima Wei and convinced the prince to kill Sima Liang. She then announced that Sima Wei was acting without imperial orders and executed him. The empress and the Jia clan remained in power until 300
300
Year 300 was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Constantius and Valerius...
, when she deposed and assassinated the heir to the throne, Sima Yu
Sima Yu
Sima Yu , courtesy name Xizu , formally Crown Prince Minhuai was a Chinese crown prince during the Jin Dynasty ....
, her husband's son by the concubine Consort Xie Jiu.
Sima Lun
Sima Lun
Sima Lun , courtesy name Ziyi , was titled the Prince of Zhao and the usurper of the Jin Dynasty from February 3 to May 30, 301...
, who commanded the imperial guards, took this opportunity to kill the Empress Jia and her faction. Sima Lun placed himself in power and tried to centralize control over the powerful princes; this resulted in Sima Yao's rebellion, who marched his troops to capital against Sima Lun; Sima Yao was killed by Sima Lun's troops in the ensuing battle in Luoyang. Sima Lun then imprisoned Emperor Hui and styled himself as the new emperor.
In response, Sima Jiong
Sima Jiong
Sima Jiong , courtesy name Jingzhi , formally Prince Wumin of Qi , was an Jin Dynasty imperial prince who briefly served as Emperor Hui's regent after overthrowing the usurper Sima Lun in 301...
led a coalition of forces, including Sima Ying
Sima Ying
Sima Ying , courtesy name Zhangdu , was a Jin Dynasty imperial prince who served briefly as his brother Emperor Hui's regent and crown prince. He was the sixth of eight princes commonly associated with the War of the Eight Princes...
and Sima Yong
Sima Yong
Sima Yong , courtesy name Wenzai , was a Jin Dynasty imperial prince and briefly a regent for Emperor Hui. He was the seventh of eight princes commonly associated with the War of the Eight Princes...
, against Sima Lun. They defeated Sima Lun's troops, killed him, and then re-established Emperor Hui as the emperor, with Sima Jiong exerting the most influence at the imperial court. When Sima Jiong tried to centralize power in his hands, the princes rebelled against him, and he was defeated by Sima Ai
Sima Ai
Sima Ai or Sima Yi , courtesy name Shidu , formally Prince Li of Changsha , was a Jin Dynasty imperial prince who briefly served as regent for his brother Emperor Hui. He was the fifth of the eight princes commonly associated with the War of the Eight Princes...
, the Prince of Changsha and killed.
Likewise, Sima Ai held power briefly, then was later defeated by Sima Yue
Sima Yue
Sima Yue , courtesy name Yuanchao , formally Prince Xiaoxian of Donghai , was a Jin Dynasty imperial prince and regent for Emperor Hui and Emperor Huai...
and killed. Sima Yue's troops by this time had strongly incorporated Wuhuan
Wuhuan
The Wuhuan were a proto-Mongolic nomadic people who inhabited northern China, in what is now the provinces of Hebei, Liaoning, Shanxi, the municipality of Beijing and the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia....
and Xianbei
Xianbei
The Xianbei were a significant Mongolic nomadic people residing in Manchuria, Inner Mongolia and eastern Mongolia. The title “Khan” was first used among the Xianbei.-Origins:...
troops as cavalry.
Power then passed to Sima Ying, who was then defeated and fled Luoyang with the emperor. He was finally captured by Sima Yong, who was in turn defeated by Sima Yue's troops. Emperor Hui was poisoned in 307
307
Year 307 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Valerius and Constantius...
, and his brother, Emperor Huai
Emperor Huai of Jin
Emperor Huai of Jin, sim. ch. 晋怀帝, trad. ch. 晉懷帝, py. Jìn Huáidì, wg. Chin Huai-ti , personal name Sima Chi , courtesy name Fengdu , was an emperor of the Jin Dynasty ....
, ascended the throne. Sima Ying and Sima Yong were eventually captured and killed; Sima Yong died on February 7, 307, which marked the official end of the struggle.
The resultant winner was last surviving major prince, Sima Yue. The struggle depopulated northern China and greatly weakened the strength of the Jin Dynasty.
The eight princes included:
- Sima LiangSima LiangSima Liang , courtesy name Ziyi , formally Prince Wencheng of Ru'nan , was briefly a regent during the reign of Emperor Hui during Jin Dynasty . He was the first of the eight princes commonly associated with the War of the Eight Princes.-Biography:Sima Liang was the fourth son of Sima Yi, by his...
(ch. 司馬亮), son of Sima YiEmperor Fei of JinEmperor Fei of Jin , personal name Sima Yi , courtesy name Yanling , was an emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty in China. He was the younger brother of Emperor Ai and later deposed by military leader Huan Wen...
(ch. 司馬懿), titled the Prince of Runan (ch. 汝南王) - Sima WeiSima WeiSima Wei , courtesy name Yandu , formally Prince Yin of Chu , was an imperial prince during Jin Dynasty and was the second of the eight princes commonly associated with the War of the Eight Princes.-Biography:...
(ch. 司馬瑋), son of Emperor Wu, titled the Prince of ChuChu (state)The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
(ch. 楚王) - Sima LunSima LunSima Lun , courtesy name Ziyi , was titled the Prince of Zhao and the usurper of the Jin Dynasty from February 3 to May 30, 301...
(ch. 司馬倫), son of Sima Yi, titled the Prince of ZhaoZhao (state)Zhao was a significant Chinese state during the Warring States Period, along with six others...
(ch. 趙王) - Sima JiongSima JiongSima Jiong , courtesy name Jingzhi , formally Prince Wumin of Qi , was an Jin Dynasty imperial prince who briefly served as Emperor Hui's regent after overthrowing the usurper Sima Lun in 301...
(ch. 司馬冏), nephew of Emperor Wu, titled the Prince of QiQi (state)Qi was a powerful state during the Spring and Autumn Period and Period of the Warring States in ancient China. Its capital was Linzi, now part of the modern day city of Zibo in Shandong Province....
(ch. 齊王) - Sima YingSima YingSima Ying , courtesy name Zhangdu , was a Jin Dynasty imperial prince who served briefly as his brother Emperor Hui's regent and crown prince. He was the sixth of eight princes commonly associated with the War of the Eight Princes...
(ch. 司馬穎), son of Emperor Wu, titled the Prince of ChengduChengduChengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
(ch. 成都王) - Sima AiSima AiSima Ai or Sima Yi , courtesy name Shidu , formally Prince Li of Changsha , was a Jin Dynasty imperial prince who briefly served as regent for his brother Emperor Hui. He was the fifth of the eight princes commonly associated with the War of the Eight Princes...
(ch. 司馬乂), son of Emperor Wu, titled the Prince of Changsha (ch. 長沙王) - Sima YongSima YongSima Yong , courtesy name Wenzai , was a Jin Dynasty imperial prince and briefly a regent for Emperor Hui. He was the seventh of eight princes commonly associated with the War of the Eight Princes...
(ch. 司馬顒), distant cousin of Emperor Wu, titled the Prince of Hejian. (ch. 河間王) - Sima YueSima YueSima Yue , courtesy name Yuanchao , formally Prince Xiaoxian of Donghai , was a Jin Dynasty imperial prince and regent for Emperor Hui and Emperor Huai...
(ch. 司馬越), distant cousin of Emperor Wu, titled the Prince of Donghai (ch. 東海王)