Later Liang Empire 後涼 (386-403)

The Later Liang empire, Houliang 後涼 (386-403), was one of the so-called Sixteen Barbarian States 五胡十六國 (300~430) that dominated northern China during the early Southern and Northern Dynasties period 南北朝 (300~600). It was founded by Lü Guang 呂光, who belonged to the people of the Di 氐. From the capital Guzang 姑臧 (modern Wuwei 武威, Gansu), the dynasty controlled the region of the modern province of Gansu, as well as parts of Ningxia, Qinghai and Xinjiang.

Lü Guang 呂光 was a general of the Former Qin empire 前秦 (351-395). He was sent out to subdue the city states in the Tarim Basin (see Silk Road. He was able to conquer Yanqi 焉耆 and Qiuci 龜茲 and many others. When the Former Qin empire dissolved, Lü Guang wanted to lead back his troops to the east, but he was impeded by Liang Xi 梁熙, regional inspector (cishi 刺史) of the province of Liangzhou 涼州. Lü defeated Liang Xi and named himself regional inspector.

In 386 he adopted the title of regional governor (mu 牧) of Liangzhou and named himself Duke of Jiuquan 酒泉. In 389 he named himself King of Sanhe 三河, and in 395 proclaimed himself Emperor of Liang (Emperor Yiwu 後涼懿武帝, r. 386-399). He died in 399 on the sickbed and was followed by his son Lü Shao 呂紹 (called King Yin 後涼隱王, r. 399), but the latter was killed by his half-brother Lü Zuan 呂纂 (Emperor Ling 後涼靈帝, r. 399-400). Shortly later, a cousin named Lü Long 呂隆 assassinated Lü Zuan and mounted the throne as the last ruler (r. 401-403). The permanent wars with the neighbouring empires of Southern Liang 南涼 (397-414) and Northern Liang 北涼 (398-439/460) weakened Lü Long's realms, and so he submitted to the empire of the Later Qin 後秦 (384-417) in 403.

In the beginning, the empire of Later Liang had been a quite stable state, but it gradually disintegrated during the succession struggles after Lü Guang's death. The economic situation was extremely bad at in the last years because no proper local administration had been done that ensured the supply of grain to the capital and other cities.