The Three Kingdoms period is a significant era in Chinese history, spanning from 220 to 280 AD. It followed the collapse of the Han Dynasty and was characterized by the division of China into three competing states:
The Three Kingdoms period began after the fall of the Han Dynasty due to internal power struggles, economic issues, and the rise of powerful warlords. The pivotal event was the abdication of Emperor Xian of Han in favor of Cao Pi, the son of the warlord Cao Cao, in 220 AD, marking the establishment of the Cao Wei dynasty.
The period ended with the conquest of Shu Han in 263 AD by Cao Wei, followed by the defeat of Eastern Wu by the Jin Dynasty in 280 AD, which was established by the Sima family who had usurped the Wei throne. This marked the beginning of the Jin Dynasty and the temporary reunification of China.
The Three Kingdoms era has been immortalized in Chinese culture through literature, most notably in the historical novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" by Luo Guanzhong, which blends historical facts with fiction, portraying the period's events and characters in a legendary manner. This novel has influenced numerous works in literature, television, film, and video games.