Former Yan: Map & History
Yan, known in historiography as the Former Yan, was a dynastic state of China ruled by the Murong clan of the Xianbei during the Sixteen Kingdoms period.
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Yan, known in historiography as the Former Yan, was a dynastic state of China ruled by the Murong clan of the Xianbei during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. From Liaoning, the Former Yan later conquered and ruled over Hebei, Shaanxi, Shandong and Henan at its peak. They were notably the first of several Xianbei states to have establish their rule over the Central Plains. The prefix of "Former" is used in historiography to distinguish them from the other Yan states that came after them, such as Later Yan.
Modern Countries Once Part of Former Yan
At its mapped extent, Former Yan covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Former Yan'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.
Former Yan in Depth
History
The Murong, named after their chieftain of the same name, were a Xianbei tribe under Tanshihuai's confederation during the late-2nd century. As the confederation disintegrated, they resettled themselves around the Liaoxi region, where they feuded with the neighbouring Duan and Yuwen tribes. During the Three Kingdoms period, when the Cao Wei commander, Sima Yi, campaigned against Gongsun Yuan in 237, the Murong offered their assistance and, after the campaign, they were allowed to move into northern Liaodong. They became vassals to the Wei and then their successor, the Western Jin dynasty.
In 285, Murong Hui was installed as the new chieftain of his tribe. Although Hui rebelled against Jin shortly after ascending, he resubmitted in 289 and was given the office of Commander of the Xianbei.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Former Yan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Former Yan: Key Facts
| Capital | Ji |
|---|---|
| Founded | 337 CE |
| Dissolved | 370 CE |
Preceded by
- Ran Wei
Succeeded by
Facts from Wikidata Q1472004 (CC0).
Former Yan Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 772,045 km² in 368 CE.
Former Yan: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Former Yan exist?
Former Yan is dated to 337 CE – 370 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of Former Yan?
The capital of Former Yan was Jicheng (棘城) (337–342), Longcheng (342–350), Jicheng (薊城) (350–357), Yecheng (357–370).
How large was Former Yan at its peak?
At its peak in 368 AD Former Yan covered about 772,045 km².