Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms — Decades of War and Division

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907 — 979) was a chaotic and divisive era in the history of China, marked by the rise, reign, and fall of dozens of separatist regimes within the territory of the former unified Tang Dynasty (618 — 907).

The Five Dynasties were five empires that successively reigned the Middle Kingdom area in the north: Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou.

The Ten Kingdoms were ten separatist regimes that predominantly held power in the south.

Night Revels of Han Xizai (Part One), by Artist Gu Hongzhong of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Night Revels of Han Xizai (Part Two), by Artist Gu Hongzhong of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Night Revels of Han Xizai, by Gu Hongzhong (910 — 980) of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.

The Copied Version in the Song Dynasty (960 — 1279) is Preserved in the Palace Museum.

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Facts

Brief History of the Rise and Fall of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Political Structure and Social Systems

Unearthed Porcelain Lotus Bowl of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Porcelain Lotus Bowl of the Five Dynasties — Suzhou Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Facts

Within these 72 years, there had been five dynasties in northern China and over ten kingdoms in the south.

Most of the regimes followed the system of the Tang Dynasty, including administrative, tax, and land policies, but they all made changes to some extent.

This was one of the darkest eras in the history of China.

Whoever was formidable and powerful could occupy some cities and claim themselves the kings.

Painted Stone Sculpture of Warriors of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Painted Stone Relief of Warriors of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms — National Museum of China

Because of endless wars, science and literature were poorly developed during this era.

There were many kings with ridiculous behaviors in this era:

A king from one of these regimes was quite brave and talented. After gaining a significant amount of territory through military achievements, he began to behave like a professional actor. However, he was soon assassinated and his beloved musical instruments were burnt down with him.

A king required all his governors to become eunuchs; he believed that one without family could be devoted to their job.

A king respected another king as his father and ceded large land in exchange for not being invaded.

Gong Chen Pagota in Lin'an City, Zhejiang Province, Built in the Year 915.

Gong Chen Pagota, Built in the Year 915 — Lin'an City, Zhejiang Province

Brief History of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Enmity Between Later Liang and Later Tang

After warlord Zhu Wen destroyed the capital city and assassinated the entire royal family of the Tang Dynasty, he established his empire in the middle kingdom.

This was the Later Liang Dynasty (907 — 923), which was soon perished by their long-term enemy Li Cunxu.

Li Cunxu, a great general, then vastly extended his territory and named his new empire the Later Tang Dynasty (923 — 936).

He ambitiously planned to recover the prosperous and unified Tang Dynasty. As an incapable politician who spent much time in professional acting, however, he was assassinated soon.

Copper Flying Deity Figurine of Later Tang Dynasty, the Empire that was Built by Li Cunxu

Copper Flying Deity Figurine of Later Tang Dynasty — Capital Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Replacements of Regimes in Chaotic Eras

The usurper of the throne kept going. People who obtained a certain amount of power and the army could snatch the throne and establish a new empire.

In the middle kingdom area of China, Later Jin (936 — 947), Later Han (947 — 950), and Later Zhou (951 — 960) were successively established and perished.

Until Zhao Kuangyin took the throne from his young king and established the Song Empire in the year 960.

From 960 to 979, Zhao Kuangyin and his brother led Song’s army, defeated those kingdoms in the south, and ended this era of enormous separation and disorder.

As both an excellent general and an extraordinary monarch, Emperor Zhao Kuangyin built a long, wealthy empire, the Song Dynasty (960 — 1279).

Unearthed Gold Dragon of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Gold Dragon of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms — Zhejiang Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)

Political Structure and Social Systems

Population

Due to persistent warfare and the fragmentation of regimes, the population experienced a significant decline, making it challenging to calculate precisely. An estimated peak of approximately 32 million individuals is suggested for the population during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

Political System

During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, most regimes adhered to the Political System of the Tang Dynasty, albeit with slight variations among them.