• Home
  • Emperors
  • Inventions
  • Dynasties
  • Provinces
  • Food and Tea
  • Best Chinese History Books
  • About >>
    • About
    • Contact

Learn Chinese History

Where the Middle Kingdom comes alive

Home » Emperors » Eastern Jin Dynasty: Emperors Yuandi, Mingdi, Chengdi, Kangdi

Eastern Jin Dynasty: Emperors Yuandi, Mingdi, Chengdi, Kangdi

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I MAY GET A SMALL COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHSE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.

Article by Heather

Eastern Jin Dynasty Emperors

Emperor Yuandi

Quick Facts about Emperor Yuandi

  • Emperor Yuandi’s name at birth was Sima Rui (Ssu-ma Jui).
  • Upon the death of Emperor Mindi of the Western Jin dynasty in 316 CE, Sima Rui became the first emperor in 317 CE of the Eastern Jin dynasty.
  • His title Yuandi means “Original Emperor”.

Emperor Yuandi was a minor prince and a military governor. When the Western Jin dynasty capital at Chang’an fell to the attacking Xiongnu, wealthy families headed by Emperor Yuandi moved south of the Yangzi River. Rebuilding a capital in Jiankang (now known as Nanjing), Emperor Yuandi began the Eastern Jin dynasty.

China under Emperor Yuandi

Yuandi revived the court opulence of the Han dynasty. Confucian ideas returned and Buddhism began to become important as a religion for those who continued to believe in Daoist ideals.

The northern tribes continued to attack those Chinese left north of the Yangzi River. Money came into the area and into the government as these displaced people began moving south of the Yangzi. The tax revenues increased but so did the number of wealthy families with enough land and peasants to build their own armies.

Although the government of the Eastern Jin dynasty was stable, the disagreements between the wealthy families and Emperor Yuandi’s government continued during reign of each emperor in the Eastern Jin dynasty.

Emperor Yuandi died in 322 CE. Upon his death, Mingdi succeeded him as emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty.

Emperor Mingdi

Emperor Mingdi became the second emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty in 323 CE. His title Mingdi means “Brilliant Emperor”.

Emperor Mingdi died in 325 CE. Upon his death, Chengdi succeeded him as emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty.

Emperor Chengdi

Emperor Chengdi became the third emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty in 326 CE. His title Chengdi means “Accomplished Emperor”.

The northern tribes and the wealthy families in the south continued to apply pressure to the emperor and the Chinese government during Emperor Chengdi’s reign.

Emperor Chengdi died in 342 CE. Upon his death, Kangdi succeeded him as emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty.

Emperor Kangdi

Emperor Kangdi became the fourth emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty in 343 CE. His title Kangdi means “Healthy Emperor”.

It is ironic that Emperor Kangdi’s title means healthy as he died one year after becoming emperor.

Emperor Kangdi died in 344 CE. Upon his death, Mudi succeeded him as emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty.

You might also like:

  • History of Chinese Emperors – Names, Dynasties and ReignsHistory of Chinese Emperors – Names, Dynasties…
  • Western Jin Dynasty: Emperors Huidi, Huaidi, MindiWestern Jin Dynasty: Emperors Huidi, Huaidi, Mindi
  • Chen Dynasty EmperorsChen Dynasty Emperors
  • Liang Dynasty Emperors Jian Wendi, Yu Zhang Wang, Yuandi & JingdiLiang Dynasty Emperors Jian Wendi, Yu Zhang Wang,…

Welcome!

LearnChineseHistory.com is a collection of articles on Chinese history and culture. When readers choose to purchase items through my links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. It helps me pay for my web hosting. Thank you for your support!

Favorite Articles

  • History of the Chinese Compass
  • About Empress Wu Zetian
  • Emperor Wudi - Han Dynasty
  • Qin Dynasty History and Achievements
  • Chinese Province Meanings

Looking for Something Specific?

Menu

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure

Categories

  • Dynasties
  • Emperors
  • Food and Tea
  • Inventions
  • Provinces

Don’t Miss These…

  • • History of Chinese Fireworks
  • • Later Jin Dynasty: History & Facts
  • • Qin Dynasty Emperor Qin Shihuangdi
  • • Guangdong Pronvince: Facts, Culture & History
  • • Did the Ancient Chinese Invent the Abacus

Search

This post may contain affiliate links which means if you choose to make a purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. It helps pay for my web hosting and supports my work. All attempts are made to present the most correct information, but it may not be appropriate for your specific circumstance and information may become outdated.

Paid Endorsement Disclosure

PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. I will never endorse any product or service that I do not fully support. The ads served by AdSense and Media.net (in the header, posts and sidebar) are NOT necessarily products I use or recommend.

Amazon Disclosure

AMAZON DISCLOSURE: LearnChineseHistory.com (Well Read Gnome, LLC) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com, amazon.ca, amazon.fr, amazon.de, amazon.co.uk, and amazon.it. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Full Disclosure and Privacy Policy

©2012-2021 Well Read Gnome, LLC All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express written permission from this site's owner is strictly prohibited.