Zhang Tianxi

Zhang Tianxi
張天錫
Duke of Xiping
Ruler of Former Liang
Reign363–376
PredecessorZhang Xuanjing
Born346
Died406 (aged 59–60)
Eastern Jin
Names
Zhang Tianxi (張天錫)
Era dates
Shēngpíng (升平)[note 1]: 363–376
Regnal name
Ordered to hold tally, Grand Commander, Grand General, Colonel to Guard the Qiang people, Governor of Liang Province, Duke of Xiping (使持節 大都督 大將軍 護羌校尉 涼州牧 西平公)
Posthumous name
Duke Dao (敬悼公, honored by Eastern Jin)
DynastyFormer Liang
FatherZhang Jun

Zhang Tianxi (Chinese: 張天錫; 346–406), original courtesy name Gongchungu (公純嘏), later Chungu (純嘏), nickname Duhuo (獨活), formally Duke Dao of Xiping (西平悼公), was the last ruler of the Chinese state Former Liang. He was the youngest son of Zhang Jun (Duke Zhongcheng), and he seized the throne from his nephew Zhang Xuanjing (Duke Jingdao) in 363.[1] During his reign, he claimed vassal status with regard to both Jin Dynasty and Former Qin, but eventually, under Former Qin pressure to completely submit, he tried to resist militarily, but could not and surrendered in 376, ending Former Liang. He became a Former Qin official (with the title Marquess of Guiyi (歸義侯)), but after Former Qin's failed attempt to conquer Jin in 383 at the Battle of Fei River, he fled to Jin. Although the Jin imperial government was not happy about some of his actions as the ruler of Former Liang (including his vacillation and his use of an era name), it recognized how his ancestors had long formally held out as a Jin vassal, and Emperor Xiaowu restored him to the title of Duke of Xiping. He died in 406, 30 years after his state was destroyed.


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  1. ^ Dunnell, Ruth W. (1996-04-01). The Great State of White and High: Buddhism and State Formation in Eleventh-Century Xia. University of Hawaii Press. p. 231. ISBN 978-0-8248-6271-8.