Figure of a Fabulous Horned Animal at The British Museum, London

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The Jin dynasty was a Chinese empire that lasted from AD 265 to 420. Its history is divided into two main periods: Western Jin and Eastern Jin. Western Jin was founded by Sima Yan, with its capital at Luoyang, while Eastern Jin was begun by Sima Rui, with its capital at Jiankang. Scholars also refer to these periods as Liang Jin and Sima Jin to distinguish them from other dynasties that used the same Chinese character. The Sima clan initially served under the Wei dynasty but gained significant influence after the coup d'état in 249 known as the Gaoping Tombs incident. In 263, Sima Zhao unified Shu's territories and captured Liu Shan, followed by Zhong Hui's Rebellion a year later. In 265, Sima Yan forced Emperor Cao Huan of Wei to abdicate the throne, ending the Wei dynasty and founding the Jin. Sima Yan was enthroned as Emperor Wu of Jin and named his dynasty after the state of Jin from the Spring and Autumn period that once ruled his home county in Wen, Henei. In 280, the Jin conquered Eastern Wu and unified China but internal conflicts, corruption, and turmoil weakened the dynasty within ten years. The second Jin emperor, Emperor Hui, faced challenges as various imperial princes attempted to seize power during the devastating War of the Eight Princes. The Uprising of the Five Barbarians followed, with refugees fleeing south while nomadic groups occupied the north. This marked the end of Western Jin in 316 when the Jin court evacuated south of the Huai River and began the Eastern Jin and Sixteen Kingdoms period. Sima Rui founded Eastern Jin at Jiankang in 317, with its territory stretching across most of southern China today. The combination of Eastern Jin and Sixteen Kingdoms is sometimes called the "Eastern Jin Sixteen Kingdoms." During this period, huge numbers moved south from the central plain, stimulating Southern China's development. The Emperors of Eastern Jin had limited power due to their dependence on local and refugee noble families with military power. These families included the Wang family, including chancellor Wang Dao, and Xie family members Xie An and Xie Xuan. Many officials started to have ambitions that resulted in military revolts like those led by Wang Dun, Su Jun, and Huan Wen. Even though there was a stated goal of regaining northern lost lands, paranoia within the royal family and constant disruptions to the throne caused many officials to lose support. In 383, Former Qin mobilized its troops to conquer Eastern Jin, but after the battle of Fei river, Xie An and other generals pushed back the Qin's assault and seized back territory. However, more internal battles followed Huan Xuan's usurpation of the throne as civilian administration suffered. Revolts from Sun En, Lu Xun, and Qiao Zong's declaration of a new kingdom called Western Shu in Eastern Jin's Shu region continued to plague the dynasty. Liu Yu eventually ended major chaos and took the throne for himself, marking the end of the Jin dynasty and beginning the Liu Song dynasty and Southern and Northern Dynasties period. The Jin dynasty is famous for its high-quality greenish celadon porcelain wares that immediately followed proto-celadon development. Jar designs often incorporated animal and Buddhist figures. The Jin dynasty was a significant chapter in Chinese history, marked by the rise and fall of powerful emperors, the development of art and culture, and the eventual collapse due to internal conflicts and external threats.