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Six Dynasties - Three Kingdoms 220 to 265AD: Brief History & Highlights

The Six Dynasties, (AD 220–589), in China is the period between the end of the Han dynasty in AD 220 and the final conquest of South China in 589AD by the Sui (which was established in 581AD in North China). This period can be subdivided in: i) The Three Kingdoms 220 to 265AD, ii) Jin Dynasty 265 to 420AD, iii) Northern & Sothern Dynasty. The name is derived from the six successive dynasties of South China that had their capitals at Jianye (later Jiankang; present-day Nanjing) during this time: the Wu (222–280), the Dong (Eastern) Jin (317–420), the Liu-Song (420–479), the Nan (Southern) Qi (479–502), the Nan Liang (502–557), and the Nan Chen (557–589). At the same time, the North was ruled by a succession of kingdoms founded by invaders from Central Asia. Important among these were the Bei (Northern) Wei (386–534/535), with its capital at Datong (later Luoyang); the Dong (Eastern) Wei (534–550), at Ye (now Anyang); the Xi (Western) Wei (535–556/557), at Chang’an (now Xi’an); the Bei Qi (550–577), also at Ye; and the Bei Zhou (557–581), also at Chang’an. That the period takes its name from the Nanjing states reflects a gradual shift in Chinese civilization from its previous centre in the North to the relatively unpopulated southern area, whose capital was separated from the northern invaders by the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang).

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TKM11

Zhi Bai Wu Zhu

26mm

SIN 11

Reverse Wei (L)

1 cash

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TKM12.3

Tai Ping Bai Qian

26mm

SIN 12

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1 cash

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TKM13.5

Da Quan Dang Qian

32mm

SIN 13

Reverse blank

1 cash

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