Gao Wei

Gao Wei
高緯
Emperor of Northern Qi
ReignJune 8, 565[1][2] – February 4, 577[1][3]
PredecessorEmperor Wucheng
SuccessorGao Heng
BornMay 29, 556[4][1]
Diedc.November 577 (aged 21)[3]
ConsortsLady Hulü
Lady Hu of Anding
Mu Sheli
Feng Xiaolian
IssueGao Heng
Gao Shande
Gao Maide
Gao Zhiqian
Full name
Era dates
Tiāntǒng (天統) (565-569)
Wǔpíng (武平) (570-576)
Lónghuà (隆化) (577)
Regnal name
Heavenly King Shouguo (守國天王)
(adopted after abdicating in 577)
HouseGao
DynastyNorthern Qi
FatherEmperor Wucheng
MotherEmpress Wucheng

Gao Wei (高緯) (29 May 556 – c.November 577[5]), often known in history as Houzhu of Northern Qi ((北)齊後主), courtesy name Rengang (仁綱), sometimes referred to by his later Northern Zhou-created title of Duke of Wen (溫國公), was the penultimate emperor of the Northern Qi dynasty of China. During his reign, the Northern Qi's imperial administration was plunged into severe corruption and wastefulness, with the military suffering after Gao Wei killed the great general Hulü Guang in 572. Rival Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou launched a major attack in 576, and Northern Qi forces collapsed. Gao Wei, who formally passed the throne to his son Gao Heng, was captured while trying to flee to Chen dynasty, and later that year, the Northern Zhou emperor executed him and almost all members of his clan.

  1. ^ a b c Academia Sinica Chinese-Western Calendar Converter.
  2. ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 169.
  3. ^ a b Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 173.
  4. ^ History of the Northern Dynasties, vol. 8.
  5. ^ According to volume 10 of History of the Northern Dynasties, Gao Wei was killed in the 10th month of the 6th year of the Jiande era of Yuwen Yong's reign. This corresponds to 28 Oct to 25 Nov 577 in the Julian calendar. ([建德六年]冬十月....是月,诛温公高纬。) Bei Shi, vol.10