Gao Heng

Gao Heng
高恆
Emperor of Northern Qi
Reign4 February - 5 April 577[1]
PredecessorGao Wei
SuccessorNone
Born570
Died577 (aged 6–7)
Full name
Era name and dates
Chéngguāng (承光): 577
HouseGao
DynastyNorthern Qi
FatherGao Wei
MotherMu Sheli

Gao Heng (Chinese: 高恆; July or August 570[2] – 577), often known in historiography as the Youzhu of Northern Qi ((北)齊幼主, meaning 'child ruler'), was the last emperor of the Chinese Northern Qi dynasty.[3] In 577, the Northern Qi was under a major attack by the rivaling Northern Zhou dynasty. Gao Heng's father Gao Wei, then emperor, wanted to try to deflect ill omens that portended a change in imperial status. He and therefore passed the throne to Gao Heng. Later that year, after they fled in face of Northern Zhou forces' arrival, they were captured and taken to the Northern Zhou capital Chang'an. There in winter 577, the Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou ordered them, as well as other members of the Gao clan, to commit suicide. Northern Qi territories were annexed by the Northern Zhou, marking the collapse of the Northern Qi dynasty. Gao Jie (高湝) succeeded to the Northern Qi throne thereafter, although this was only nominal due to the dynasty's de facto end. For several years Gao Wei's cousin Gao Shaoyi also claimed the imperial title in exile, under Tujue's protection.

  1. ^ (隆化二年春正月乙亥,即皇帝位,时八岁,改元为承光元年,...[三月]乙亥,渡河入济州。其日,幼主禅位于大丞相、任城王湝,...) Bei Qi Shu vol.08
  2. ^ (武平元年六月,生皇子恒。) Bei Qi Shu, vol.09. The month corresponds to 19 Jul to 16 Aug 570 in the Julian calendar.
  3. ^ Tsiang, Katherine R. (2008-06-01). "Resolve to Become a Buddha (Chengfo)—Changing Aspirations and Imagery in Sixth-Century Chinese Buddhism". Early Medieval China. 2008 (2): 115–169. doi:10.1179/152991008790012916. ISSN 1529-9104. S2CID 162333810.