Emperors in Southern and Northern Dynasties

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Southern and Northern Dynasties is a period to witness the rise and fall of several different dynasties. Emperors in Southern and Northern Dynasties were all in short ruling time because of the unstable social situation.

Emperors in Southern and Northern Dynasties

Southern and Northern Dynasties
Southern Dynasties
Country	Capital	Number of Rulers -Founding Emperor -Final Emperor	Ruling Time
Liu Song	Jiankang	8 Liu Yu Liu Zhun	420 AD - 479 AD
Southern Qi	Jiankang	7 Xiao Daocheng Xiao Baorong	479 AD - 502 AD
Liang	1.Jiankang 2.Jiangling	5 Xiao Yan Xiao Fangzhi	502 AD - 557 AD
Chen	Jiankang	5 Chen Baxian Chen Shubao	557 AD - 589 AD
Northern Dynasties
Country	Capital	Number of Rulers Founding Emperor Final Emperor	Founding Year Ending Year
Northern Wei	1.Shengle, near modern Hohhot 2.Pingcheng 3.Luoyang	17 Tuoba Gui Yuan Xiu	386 AD - 534 AD
Eastern Wei	Ye	1 Yuan Shanjian Yuan Shanjian	534 AD - 550 AD
Western Wei	Chang'an	3 Yuan Baoju Yuan Kuo	535 AD - 557 AD
Northern Qi	Ye	6 Gao Yang Gao Heng	550 AD - 577 AD
Northern Zhou	Chang'an	5 Yuwen Jue Yuwen Yan	557 AD - 581 AD

♦ Famous Figures in These Dynasties

► Liu Yu

Liu Yu was the founding emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song. He came from a humble background, but became prominent after leading a rebellion in 404 to overthrow Huan Xuan, who had usurped the Jin throne in 403. After that point, using a mixture of political and military skills, Liu Yu gradually concentrated power in his own hands while expanding Jin's territory. In 420, he forced Emperor Gong of Jin to yield the throne to him, thus ending Jin and establishing Song. He ruled only briefly, for two years, before dying and passing the throne to his son, Emperor Shao of Liu Song.

► Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei
Emperor Xiaowen was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei Northern Wei Dynasty. He implemented a drastic policy of sinicization, intending to centralize the government and make the multi-ethnic state easier to govern. These policies included changing artistic styles to reflect Chinese preferences and forcing the population to speak the language and to wear Chinese clothes. He compelled his own Xianbei people and others to adopt Chinese surnames, and changed his own family surname from Tuoba to Yuan. He also encouraged intermarriage between Xianbei and Han.

► Emperor Wu of Liang
Emperor Wu was the founding emperor of the Chinese Liang Dynasty. His reign was one of the most stable and prosperous during the Southern Dynasties. Emperor Wu is remembered by many Buddhists today for the many contributions he gave to the faith. There are a few stories that revolve around his involvement with Buddhism.

► Hou Jing
Hou Jing was a general for the Chinese states of Northern Wei, Eastern Wei, and Liang Dynasty. He usurped the Liang throne, establishing a state of Han. He was soon defeated by the Liang prince Xiao Yi. After the defeat, he was killed by his own associates while in flight. He was one of most reviled figures in Chinese history, known for his cruelty to enemies and civilians.

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