Eastern Wu: Map & History
Wu, known in historiography as Eastern Wu or Sun Wu, was a dynastic state of China and one of the three major states that competed for supremacy over China during the Three Kingdoms period.
Wikipedia Encyclopedic Compendium
Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
Wu, known in historiography as Eastern Wu or Sun Wu, was a dynastic state of China and one of the three major states that competed for supremacy over China during the Three Kingdoms period. It previously existed from 220 to 222 AD as a vassal kingdom nominally under its rival state Cao Wei but declared complete independence in November 222 AD. It was elevated to an empire in May 229 AD after its founding ruler Sun Quan declared himself emperor.
Modern Countries Once Part of Eastern Wu
At its mapped extent, Eastern Wu covered territory in 4 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Hong Kong S.A.R.238–282 CE · nearly all
- Macau S.A.R238–282 CE · nearly all
- Vietnam238–282 CE · a large part
- China207–282 CE · a large part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Eastern Wu's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Eastern Wu in Depth
History
Towards the end of the Han dynasty, Sun Ce, the eldest son of the warlord Sun Jian, and his followers borrowed troops from the warlord Yuan Shu and embarked on a series of military conquests in the Jiangdong and Wu regions between 194 and 199, seizing several territories previously occupied by warlords such as Liu Yao, Yan Baihu and Wang Lang. Sun Ce broke off relations with Yuan Shu around 196–197 after the latter declared himself emperor—an act deemed as treason against Emperor Xian, the figurehead ruler of the Han dynasty. The warlord Cao Cao, who was the de facto head of government in the Han imperial court, asked Emperor Xian to grant Sun Ce the title of "Marquis of Wu" (吳侯).
Sun Ce was assassinated in the summer of 200 and was succeeded by his younger brother, Sun Quan.
Government and military
Despite Sun Quan proclaiming himself emperor in 229, its politics reflected its warlord origins. When Wu was initially founded its military was dominated by famed generals who had gained their positions through prowess and pluck. These generals were celebrated for their individualism.
Politics within the court were often influenced by conflicts between powerful families and individuals. Positions within the court were inherited from one generation to the next unlike the Han dynasty's bureaucracy. However, over time, the influence ultimately would move away from the central government. Outside of the court, families displayed their own independent authority. Wu, at times, was to a certain extent run for the protection of particular families.
Language, culture and economy
The culture of Wu was most solidified under the reign of Sun Quan from 229 to 252. Migrations from the north and the needed settlement from the Shanyue barbarians made it possible for the increase in manpower, agriculture, and settling the lower most parts of Wu. Along with that, river transportation became a huge factor and flourished as the Jiangnan and Zhedong canals were finished with construction. After the Battle of Xiaoting and during the invasions of Wu by Wei in the 220s, Shu was able to reestablish their trade and relationships with Wu. Shu's cotton was a great influx for Wu, and the development of shipbuilding, salt, and metal industries was greatly increased.
The fact of inflation and economic problems still were in existence since the Han dynasty.
Legacy
Under the rule of Wu, the Yangtze River Delta region, regarded in early history as a barbaric "jungle", developed into one of the commercial, cultural, and political centres of China. The achievements of Wu in the south marked the coming of Chinese civilization to the farthest southern reaches of the empire.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Eastern Wu (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Eastern Wu: Key Facts
| Capitals | Ezhou, Nanjing |
|---|---|
| Religion | Taoism |
| Currency | ancient Chinese coinage |
| Founded | 229 CE |
| Dissolved | 280 CE |
Preceded by
- Eastern Han
Succeeded by
- Western Jin dynasty
Facts from Wikidata Q274488 (CC0).
Eastern Wu Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 1,399,751 km² in 276 CE.
Eastern Wu: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Eastern Wu exist?
Eastern Wu is dated to 207 CE – 282 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of Eastern Wu?
The capital of Eastern Wu was Wuchang, (222–229, 265–266), Jianye, (229–265, 266–280).
How large was Eastern Wu at its peak?
At its peak in 276 AD Eastern Wu covered about 1,399,751 km².