ConflictEast Asia
The An Lushan rebellion
A revolt that broke China's golden age in eight years
See it on the timeline →In depth
Censuses before and after show a fall of tens of millions, but most of that reflects the state losing control of its registers rather than actual deaths — a good example of how carefully historical figures must be read. The revolt also hastened the shift of China's economic centre of gravity south to the Yangtze, where it has remained.
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A general rebelled and took the capital. The emperor had to flee, and the war lasted eight years. Afterwards the Tang was never the same — the frontiers pulled back, and foreigners in Chang'an were met with suspicion.
Connects to
Part of Terra Saga — the story of Earth on a timeline. terrasaga.org