Three Kingdoms period
WarDynastyAfter the fall of the Han, China splits into the states of Wei, Shu and Wu until reunification under the Jin in 280.
- Date
- 220 – 280 · View on map
- Countries
- China
- Regions
- East Asia
- Importance
- ★★★★★
- Sources
Related events
208★★★★★
Battle of Red Cliffs
Allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei defeat Cao Cao's army on the Yangtze, preventing him from conquering the south.
War· China
184★★★★★
Yellow Turban Rebellion
A peasant uprising led by Zhang Jiao shakes the Eastern Han and paves the way for an era of rival warlords.
WarReligion· China
132★★★★★
Zhang Heng builds his seismoscope
The polymath Zhang Heng builds the first known instrument for detecting earthquakes.
ScienceTechnology· China
105★★★★★
Cai Lun improves papermaking
The Han court official Cai Lun presents a papermaking process using bark, rags and fishing nets.
Technology· China
9 – 23★★★★★
Wang Mang usurps the throne, founding the Xin
The regent Wang Mang displaces the Han and proclaims the Xin dynasty, launching land reforms; his regime falls in 23 CE.
DynastyPolitics· China
c. 538★★★★★
Buddhism introduced to Japan
By tradition, a king of Baekje sends Buddhist images and scriptures to the Yamato court, beginning Buddhism's spread in Japan.
Religion· Japan, South Korea