Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi

Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi
北齊文宣帝
Emperor of Northern Qi
ReignJune 9, 550[1][2] – November 25, 559[3][1]
SuccessorGao Yin
Born526[note 1]
DiedNovember 25, 559
(aged 32–33)
Burial
Wuning Mausoleum (武寧陵)
ConsortsEmpress Zhaoxin
IssueGao Yin
Gao Shaode
Gao Shaoyi
Gao Shaoren
Gao Shaolian
Princess Changle
Princess Zhongshan
Princess Yining
Full name
Era name and dates
Tiānbǎo (天保): June 9, 550 – February 12, 560[1][4]
Posthumous name
Emperor Wénxuān (文宣皇帝) ("civil and responsible"), briefly Emperor Jǐngliè (景烈皇帝) ("decisive and achieving") (565–570)
Temple name
Xiǎnzu (顯祖), briefly Wēizōng (威宗) (565–570)
HouseGao
DynastyNorthern Qi
FatherGao Huan
MotherEmpress Wuming

Emperor Wenxuan of (Northern) Qi ((北)齊文宣帝) (526–559), personal name Gao Yang (高洋, Wade–Giles: Kao Yang), courtesy name Zijin (子進), Xianbei name Hounigan (侯尼干), was the founding emperor of the Northern Qi dynasty of China. He was the second son of the Eastern Wei's paramount general Gao Huan. Following the death of his brother and Gao Huan's designated successor and eldest son Gao Cheng in 549, Gao Yang became the regent of Eastern Wei. In 550, he forced the Emperor Xiaojing of Eastern Wei to yield the throne to him, ending the Eastern Wei dynasty and starting the Northern Qi dynasty.

Early in Emperor Wenxuan's reign, he was known for attentiveness to military matters, and the strength of the Northern Qi military was at its prime. He also tried to equalize the tax burden and reduce corruption by offering officials sufficient salary. He entrusted most governmental matters to the capable Yang Yin, and for a while, the government was effective, and the military was strong. In his later years, Emperor Wenxuan suffered from alcoholism and possibly insanity.[5] Chinese historical annals recorded his bloody rages. Nevertheless, his reign, with assistance from his advisers, was considered well-administered and effective.[6]

  1. ^ a b c Academia Sinica Chinese-Western Calendar Converter.
  2. ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 163.
  3. ^ Book of Northern Qi, vol. 4. 冬十月甲午,帝暴崩於晉陽宮德陽堂,時年三十
  4. ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 168.
  5. ^ Andrew Eisenberg (1 January 2008). Kingship in Early Medieval China. BRILL. p. 99. ISBN 978-90-04-16381-2.
  6. ^ Andrew Eisenberg (1 January 2008). Kingship in Early Medieval China. BRILL. p. 102. ISBN 978-90-04-16381-2.


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