Sixteen Kingdoms

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History of China
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Related Articles  Dynasties in Chinese History Economic history of China Historiography of China History of Chinese Art History of Education in China History of Science and Technology in China Legal history of China Linguistic history of China Military history of China Naval History of China Timeline of Chinese History Media history of China
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Sixteen Kingdoms.
16 Kingdoms
Cheng Han
Han Zhao
Later Zhao
Former Liang
Later Liang
Western Liang
Northern Liang
Southern Liang
Former Qin
Later Qin
Western Qin
Former Yan
Later Yan
Northern Yan
Southern Yan
Xia
Not included in the 16 Kingdoms
Ran Wei
Western Shu
Western Yan
Duan
Yuwen
Chouchi
Wei (Dingling)
Dai
Huan Chu
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The Sixteen Kingdoms (traditional Chinese: 十六國; simplified Chinese: 十六国; pinyin: Shíliù Guó), or less commonly the Sixteen States, were a collection of numerous short-lived sovereign states in China proper and its neighboring areas from 304 to 439 CE 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 (the 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 Liáng, 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. These do not all exist through the entire period.

A less used term, the Period of Sixteen Kingdoms represents this turbulent era from 304 to 439.

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: Northern Yan, Western Liang, Former Liang and the state of Wei. 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.

Rulers of each of the Kingdoms are listed in relevant articles.

• Wu Hu
• Ethnic groups in Chinese history
• Sinicization
• Avars
• Battle of Fei
• Shiliuguo Chunqiu

Preceded by Western Jin Dynasty

Dynasties in Chinese history 304 – 439

Succeeded by Southern and Northern Dynasties