| Abstract |
The Wu State (222-280), also known as the Sun-Wu regime, was founded by Sun Quan (182-252), after his father Sun Jian (155-191) and his brother Sun Ce (175-200) had helped to lay its foundations. The regime is historically significant not only because it is the first of the Six Dynasties (222-589), but also because it contributed to the formation Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589). Previous research on the Sun-Wu regime has focused mainly on its more notable characteristics and its dynastic power struggles. By contrast, little attention has been paid to the critical role by minor ethnic groups located both within and without the regime. This paper examines how ethnic groups, known collectively as the Shanyue, helped to shape to formation of the Sun-Wu regime. It also looks at how the rulers of the Sun-Wu regime played the Shanyue and the Huai Si Group against one another as a way of consolidating their hold on power. |
