Jin Dynasty (266–420 CE)

1. Sima Yan proclaims the Jin dynasty

   Feb 1, 266Labels: Sima Yan, Western Jin, Luoyang

   Sima Yan (Emperor Wu) declared a new dynasty, replacing Cao Wei and establishing the Western Jin regime centered on Luoyang.

   • Britannica
   • Wiki Jin

2. Jin conquers Eastern Wu and reunifies China

   May 1, 280Labels: Eastern Wu, Western Jin, Three Kingdoms

   A major multi-pronged campaign ended the Three Kingdoms era when Eastern Wu surrendered, bringing China under Western Jin rule.

   • Wiki Conquest
   • Wiki Jin

3. Emperor Wu dies; Emperor Hui succeeds

   May 16, 290Labels: Emperor Wu, Emperor Hui, court factions

   The death of Emperor Wu brought Emperor Hui to the throne; intense court factionalism under a weak emperor set the stage for later civil wars.

   • Wiki Jin
   • Wiki Hui

4. War of the Eight Princes begins

   Jan 1, 291Labels: War of, Sima princes, court factions

   A succession struggle among Sima princes and court factions erupted into coups and civil wars, badly destabilizing Western Jin governance and defenses.

   • Wiki Eight
   • WHE Eight

5. War of the Eight Princes ends

   Jan 1, 306Labels: War of, Western Jin, coalitions

   The protracted internal conflict concluded after years of shifting coalitions, leaving the Western Jin state militarily exhausted and politically fractured.

   • Wiki Eight
   • Britannica

6. Disaster of Yongjia: Luoyang sacked

   Jul 13, 311Labels: Disaster of, Luoyang, Han-Zhao

   Forces of Han-Zhao captured and sacked Luoyang, massacring inhabitants and capturing Emperor Huai—an inflection point in Western Jin’s collapse.

   • Wiki Yongjia
   • Britannica

7. Han-Zhao captures Chang’an

   Jan 1, 316Labels: Han-Zhao, Chang'an, Western Jin

   Han-Zhao forces took Chang’an (the Western Jin’s remaining major capital), further reducing Jin authority in the north and accelerating dynastic breakdown.

   • Britannica
   • Wiki Jin

8. Sima Rui assumes title King of Jin

   Jan 1, 317Labels: Sima Rui, Jiankang, King of

   With northern institutions shattered, Sima Rui established a southern political center at Jiankang and acted as the leading figure of a restored Jin court.

   • Cambridge
   • Wiki Jin

9. Sima Rui proclaims himself Emperor Yuan

   Apr 23, 318Labels: Emperor Yuan, Sima Rui, Eastern Jin

   After Emperor Min’s death in Han-Zhao captivity, Sima Rui claimed the throne, inaugurating the Eastern Jin and ruling from Jiankang (modern Nanjing).

   • ChinaKnowledge
   • Wiki Yuan

10. Sima Bao claims title Prince of Jin

    Jan 1, 319Labels: Sima Bao, Prince of, western claim

    In the far west, Sima Bao briefly asserted an alternative Jin claim as “Prince of Jin,” illustrating the fragmented legitimacy politics after Western Jin’s fall.

    • Wiki Bao
    • ChinaKnowledge

11. Huan Wen launches Northern Expeditions

    Jan 1, 354Labels: Huan Wen, Northern Expeditions, Eastern Jin

    General Huan Wen led multiple campaigns to recover northern territories from rival states; despite early gains, the expeditions ultimately failed to restore the north.

    • Wiki Huan
    • Britannica

12. Battle of Fei River halts Former Qin

    Nov 30, 383Labels: Battle of, Former Qin, Eastern Jin

    Eastern Jin forces defeated Former Qin at Fei River, checking a major northern unification attempt and securing the Eastern Jin state for decades.

    • Wiki Fei
    • Britannica

13. Liu Yu becomes dominant Jin powerbroker

    Jan 1, 418Labels: Liu Yu, Eastern Jin, powerbroker

    Through military successes and court control, Liu Yu emerged as the key figure in late Eastern Jin politics, reducing emperors to figureheads.

    • Wiki Gong
    • Wiki SongWu

14. Emperor Gong yields throne; Jin ends

    Jul 7, 420Labels: Emperor Gong, Liu Yu, Liu Song

    Emperor Gong abdicated under pressure from Liu Yu, who founded the Liu Song dynasty—marking the end of the Jin dynasty (266–420).

    • Wiki Gong
    • Wiki SongWu