Zhang Zuo

Zhang Zuo
張祚
Emperor of Former Liang
Ruler of Former Liang
Reign353–355
PredecessorZhang Yaoling
SuccessorZhang Xuanjing
Died355
Names
Zhang Zuo (張祚)
Era name and dates
Hépíng (和平): 354–355
Regnal name
Grand Commander, Grand General, Governor of Liang Province, Duke of Liang
(大都督 大將軍 涼州牧 涼公, 353–354)
Emperor (since 354)
Posthumous name
Prince Wei (威王, honored by Zhang Tianxi)
DynastyFormer Liang
FatherZhang Jun
Zhang Zuo
courtesy name Taibo
Chinese太伯
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinTàibó
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese/tʰɑiH pˠæk̚/
Prince Wei of (Former) Liang
Traditional Chinese(前)涼威王
Simplified Chinese(前)凉威王
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin(Qián) Liáng Wēi wáng
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese/d͡zen lɨɐŋ ʔʉi ɦʉɐŋ/
Posthumous name
ChineseWei (威, weī)
Literal meaning"aggressive"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWēi
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese/ʔʉi/

Zhang Zuo (Chinese: 張祚; died 355), courtesy name Taibo (太伯), formally Prince Wei of (Former) Liang ((前)涼威王) was a ruler of the Chinese state Former Liang. He was the only ruler of Former Liang to formally declare a break from Jin Dynasty (266–420), and historical sources variously report him as having declared himself an emperor (per Jin Shu) or a prince (per Zizhi Tongjian). He was commonly viewed as a usurper (having seized the throne from his nephew Zhang Yaoling after his brother Zhang Chonghua's death) and initially not acknowledged as a Former Liang ruler, but his brother Zhang Tianxi later nevertheless gave him the posthumous name of Wei.