The Former Qin (Qianqin 前秦) - along with Later Zhao (Houzhao 後趙) - was one of the most active and mighty empires of the Sixteen Kingdoms. The Di 氐 - a people relative to the Tibetians - chieftain Fu Hong 苻洪 (the surname is sometimes falsely written 符), once in the service of Later Zhao, obtained an official post by the Jin Dynasty 晉. When Ran Min 冉閔 took over the power in the Later Zhao kingdom, Fu Hong saw his chance to proclaim himself as area commander-in-chief (da dudu 大都督), Great Chieftain (Da Shanyu 大單于), and King of Sanqin 三秦王 (the area south of modern Shaanxi). His son occupied the capital Chang'an 長安 (modern Xi'an) in the name of the Jin Dynasty. 352, he called himself Emperor of (Former) Qin. The ten years after the throne accession of Fu Jian 苻堅 represent a time of relative inner and outer peace. Until 382, he was able to unify the whole north of China, destroying the kingdoms of Former Yan (Qianyan 前燕), Chouchi 仇池, and Former Liang (Qianliang 前涼). From 379 on, Fu Jian made great efforts to conquer more territory from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (Dongjin 東晉). At the battle of Feishui 淝水, the army of Former Qin was badly defeated in 383, and the disappointed aristocracy of different ethnicities rose up against the Fu clan. Upon the wastes of Former Qin, Yao Chang 姚萇 founded the Later Qin Dynasty (Houqin 後秦). Fu Jian's policy mainly targeted at the strengthening of the central power that had to triumph over the power of the tribal aristocracy. To ensure the functioning of the administration, he employed trained Chinese officials. A huge resettlement of Chinese and Non-Chinese tribes from the east into the region of Chang'an should improve the food and work supply for the capital. The Qin empire is named after the old feudal state of Qin 秦 during the Zhou Dynasty 周. See also titles of rulers. Note: The rulers of the sideline dynasties are usually not called with their posthumous dynastic titles but with their personal names as they are not accepted as righteous rulers by official historiographies. Rulers of Former Qin (Qianqin) 前秦 (351-395) Capital: Chang'an 長安 (modern Xi'an 西安/Shaanxi) Ethnicity: Di 氐 dynastic title {temple name} -----reign periods personal name Qianqin Huiwudi 前秦惠武帝 {Taizu 太祖} 350 Fu Hong 苻洪 Qianqin Jingmingdi 前秦景明帝 {Gaozu 高祖, Shizong 世宗} 351-354 -----Huangshi 皇始 351-354 Fu Jian 苻健 The Prince of Zhao (Zhao Liwang 趙厲王) 355-356 -----Shouguang 壽光 355-356 Fu Sheng 苻生 Qianqin Xuanzhaodi 前秦宣昭帝, Zhuangliewang 莊烈王 {Shizu 世祖} 357-384 -----Yongxing 永興 357-358 -----Ganlu 甘露 359-364 -----Jianyuan 建元 365-384 Fu Jian 苻堅 Qianqin Aipingdi 前秦哀平帝 385 -----Taian 太安 385 Fu Pi 苻丕 Qianqin Gaodi 前秦高帝 {Taizong 太宗} 386-393 -----Taichu 太初 386-393 Fu Deng 苻登 The Last Ruler (Mozhu) 前秦末主 394 -----Yanchu 延初 394 Conquered by Later Qin Fu Chong 苻崇

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