Xiao Liang

The Liang dynasty (Chinese: 梁朝; pinyin: Liáng cháo) (502–557), also known as the Southern Liang (南梁), was the third of the Southern Dynasties during China's Southern and Northern Dynasties period. It was located in East China and South China, and replaced by the Chen dynasty in 557. The small rump state Western Liang (555–587), located in Central China, continued until its annexation in 587.

During the Liang dynasty, in 547 a Persian embassy paid tribute to the Liang, amber was recorded as originating from Persia by the Book of Liang.

More than fifty percent of Tuoba Xianbei princesses of the Northern Wei were married to southern Han Chinese men from the imperial families and aristocrats from southern China of the Southern dynasties who defected and moved north to join the Northern Wei. Tuoba Xianbei Princess Nanyang (南阳长公主) was married to Xiao Baoyin, a Han Chinese member of Southern Qi royalty.

In 548, Hou Jing Prince of Henan set a rebellion with Xiao Zhengde Prince of Linhe nephew and a former heir of Emperor Wu of Liang and claimed Xiao Zhengde emperor. In 549, Hou sacked Jiankang, deposed and killed Xiao Zhengde, seized the power and put Emperor Wu effectively under house arrest. He dismissed the armies against him in name of Emperor Wu. In 550 Emperor Wu died, Hou created Emperor Wu's third son Crown Prince Gang Emperor Jianwen of Liang, also effectively under house arrest. He also attempted to suppress those who would not submit to him.

At the same time the Liang princes fought with each other rather than try toeliminate Hou: Emperor Wu's seventh son Xiao Yi Prince of Xiangdong killed his nephew Xiao Yu Prince of Hedong, forcing Xiao Yu's younger brother Xiao Cha Prince of Yueyang to surrender to Western Wei; Xiao Yi also attacked his sixth brother Xiao Guan Prince of Shaoling, forcing him to surrender to Northern Qi. Both Xiao Cha and Xiao Guan were created Prince of Liang. However, as Xiao Yi also allied with Northern Qi, Northern Qi gave up their support of Xiao Guan; Xiao Guan was defeated by Hou and finally killed by Western Wei. Xiao Ji Prince of Wuling the youngest son of Emperor Wu claimed imperial title.

In 551, Hou forced Emperor Jianwen to abdicate to his grandnephew Xiao Dong Prince of Yuzhang, then killed Emperor Jianwen and forced Xiao Dong to abdicate to him. Hou established a new dynasty named Han. In 552, Xiao Yi destroyed Han and claimed imperial title as Emperor Yuan of Liang. He also ordered his subordinates kill Xiao Dong and Xiao Dong's younger brothers. He created his headquarter Jiangling capital instead of returning to Jiankang. He also managed to eliminate Xiao Ji, but in order to do this he allied with Western Wei, who in turn conquered Yi Province.

In 553, Northern Qi attacked Liang, aiming to claim Xiao Tui Marquess of Xiangyin nephew of Emperor Wu emperor, but was defeated.

As the relation between Emperor Yuan and Western Wei was deteriorating, in 555, Western Wei army sacked Jiangling, forcing Emperor Yuan to surrender, and killed Emperor Yuan as well as his sons before claiming Xiao Cha emperor of Western Liang at Jiangling.

Liang generals led by Wang Sengbian created Xiao Fangzhi Prince of Jin'an the only living son of Emperor Yuan Prince of Liang at Jiankang, aiming to claim him the new emperor, but Northern Qi army defeated them, forcing them into an agreement on claiming Xiao Yuanming Marquess of Zhenyang nephew of Emperor Wu emperor instead. Wang requested that Xiao Fangzhi be created Crown Prince and Xiao Yuanming agreed. General Chen Baxian set a raid that killed Wang in favor of Xiao Fangzhi while denouncing Wang for surrendering to Northern Qi. Xiao Yuanming was forced to abdicate to Xiao Fangzhi, who was known as Emperor Jing of Liang. Chen seized the power of Liang. He initially claimed Liang a subject of Northern Qi but later defeated the army of Northern Qi.

In 557, Chen forced Emperor Jing to abdicate to him and established a new Chen dynasty.

However, Liang general Wang Lin also claimed Xiao Zhuang Prince of Yongjia grandson of Emperor Yuan emperor. In 560, Xiao Zhuang was defeated and fled to Northern Qi and was created Prince of Liang in 570, while Wang Lin continued to resist Chen until 573. Western Liang existed until 587 when Sui dynasty decided to cancel it.

Rulers' family tree

Tombs of a number of members of the ruling Xiao family, with their sculptural ensembles, in various states of preservation, are located near Nanjing. The best surviving example of the Liang dynasty's monumental statuary is perhaps the ensemble of the Tomb of Xiao Xiu(475–518), a brother of Emperor Wu, located in Qixia District east of Nanjing.

• Tombs of the Liang Dynasty
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  A turtle-borne stele and a pillar; tomb of Xiao Hong

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  A turtle-borne stele; tomb of Xiao Dan

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  A bixie (winged lion); tomb of Xiao Hui

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  A bixie near the tomb of Xiao Jing, widely regarded as Nanjing's icon

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  A stele-bearing turtle; tomb of Xiao Xiu

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  Two bixies near the tomb of Xiao Zhengli