Eastern Wu

Quick Facts: Who was Eastern Wu?

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Eastern Wu

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A major state during China's Three Kingdoms period, controlling the Yangtze River Delta.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Wu (Chinese: 吳; pinyin: Wú; Middle Chinese *ŋuo < Eastern Han Chinese: *ŋuɑ), known in historiography as Eastern Wu or Sun Wu, was a dynastic state of China and one of the three major states that competed for supremacy over China during the Three Kingdoms period. It previously existed from 220 to 222 AD as a vassal kingdom nominally under its rival state Cao Wei but declared complete independence in November 222 AD. It was elevated to an empire in May 229 AD after its founding ruler Sun Quan (Emperor Da) declared himself emperor. The name Wu was derived from the place it was based in—the Jiangnan (Yangtze River Delta) region, which was also historically known as Wu. It was called "Eastern Wu" (東吳; Dōng Wú) or "Sun Wu" (孫吳) by historians to distinguish it from other Chinese historical states with similar names in that region, such as the Wu state of the Spring and Autumn period and the Wuyue kingdom of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

Career & Major Achievements

It was called Eastern Wu because it occupied most of eastern China in the Three Kingdoms period, and Sun Wu because the family name of its rulers was Sun. During its existence, Wu's capital was sometimes at Jianye (present-day Nanjing, Jiangsu) and sometimes at Wuchang (武昌; present-day Ezhou, Hubei). Towards the end of the Han dynasty, Sun Ce, the eldest son of the warlord Sun Jian, and his followers borrowed troops from the warlord Yuan Shu and embarked on a series of military conquests in the Jiangdong and Wu regions between 194 and 199, seizing several territories previously occupied by warlords such as Liu Yao, Yan Baihu and Wang Lang. Sun Ce broke off relations with Yuan Shu around 196–197 after the latter declared himself emperor—an act deemed as treason against Emperor Xian, the figurehead ruler of the Han dynasty. The warlord Cao Cao, who was the de facto head of government in the Han imperial court, asked Emperor Xian to grant Sun Ce the title of "Marquis of Wu" (吳侯).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Sun Ce was assassinated in the summer of 200 and was succeeded by his younger brother, Sun Quan. Sun Quan, like his elder brother, also paid nominal allegiance to Emperor Xian while maintaining autonomous rule over the Wu territories. In 208, Sun Quan allied with the warlord Liu Bei and they combined forces to defeat Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Cliffs. Sun Quan and Liu Bei maintained their alliance against Cao Cao after the battle for the next ten years or so, despite having some territorial disputes over Jing Province. In 219, Sun Quan severed ties with Liu Bei when he sent his general Lü Meng to invade Liu's territories in Jing Province.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Eastern Wu

True or False: “Eastern Wu was never able to gain any territory north of the Yangtze River during its existence.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While they did not conquer permanent northern territories, their military actions and alliances frequently placed them in conflict with states controlling lands near or across the Yangtze.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Eastern Wu