Antiquity

Western Jin

Period
AD 265 – AD 425
Duration
approx. 160 years
Greatest extent
around AD 283
Area (max.)
approx. 4.4 million km²
Western Jin at its greatest extent (around AD 283) · Borders: Cliopatria
▶ View on the interactive map

Profile

Strength

The dynasty reunified China after the Three Kingdoms period but declined quickly through power struggles.

Famous figures

  • Sima Yan (Emperor Wu)
  • Sima Zhong

Wars & battles won

  • Conquest of Wu (280): reunification of China

Wars & battles lost

  • War of the Eight Princes (291–306)
  • Fall of Luoyang (311)

Languages

  • Chinese

Period and duration

Western Jin — according to the map data from AD 265 to AD 425, roughly 160 years. The dates refer to the time the empire is drawn as its own territory on the world map; historians sometimes date its founding and end differently.

Greatest extent

Western Jin — greatest extent around AD 283: the mapped borders then cover about 4.4 million km², roughly 2.9% of Earth's land area. The area is calculated from the border lines of the map and is therefore an approximation.

AD 265Area according to the map data (max. 4.4 million km²)AD 425

Predecessors and successors

States that ruled the same territory directly before and after:

Before (AD 264)

After

Neighbours around AD 283

The largest states in the region at the same time:

Learn more

Borders and dates: Cliopatria / Seshat Global History Databank (CC BY 4.0). Coastlines: Natural Earth. Text: Centaurian.