← Explore on the interactive map

Beginning of the Warring States Era

Type Event Region China Time -453

The Warring States era is usually marked by the partition of Jin by Han, Zhao, and Wei in 453 BCE, though some scholars date it to King Weilie of Zho…

Timeline

  1. -497–-455State of Jin · ShanxiIn the late Spring and Autumn period, the ministerial families of Jin grew powerful, with repeated infighting among the Six Ministers; Zhi Bo allied with Han and Wei to attack Zhao, triggering the Battle of Jinyang, laying the groundwork for the later joint destruction of the Zhi clan and the partition of Jin.
  2. -453State of Jin · ShanxiHan, Zhao, and Wei allied to destroy the Zhi clan and divided the lands of Jin, leaving Jin existing in name only. Sima Guang's Zizhi Tongjian takes this as the beginning of the Warring States, marking the complete split resulting from ministerial usurpation of power.
  3. -453–-403Central Plains · ChinaAfter the three Jin states separated, a multipolar pattern emerged alongside Qi, Chu, Qin, Yan, and others; wars of annexation and reforms to strengthen the state became the themes of the age, as a new phase of Warring States history fully unfolded.

Sources