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| China during the Jin Dynasty, including the War of the Eight Princes |
Parents: Sima Yi (Xuan), posthumous emperor of China, and Lady Bai
Date of Birth: before 249
House: Jin
Predecessor: Hui
Reign: 301
Summary: China after the fall of the Han Dynasty was often in turmoil. The Jin Dynasty arose from the ashes of the Three Kingdoms period as a factional and rival-prone family destined to rule China only for a brief time. Sima Lun was one such rival. He was the youngest son of high Jin administrator and member of the royal family. His nephew, Sima Yan, established the Jin dynasty as Emperor Wu in 265 and Sima Lun was named prince of Langye. He served in various minor posts such as provincial governor and an army general and was accused of various crimes, all pardoned by his nephew. During the reign of Emperor Hui, his grandnephew, Sima Lun was placed in charge of the Qin province where he caused an uprising. He fled to the capital at Luoyang and attempted to flatter himself into an administrative position in the capital, but was rebuffed. The Empress Jia, regent for the emperor, had previously been involved in a conspiracy that saw the overthrow of the crown prince. She replaced him in his regency duties. Sima Lun decided to join the conspirators. He convinced the empress regent to assassinate the deposed crown prince, which she did in 300, but then he declared a coup and had her arrested. Her entire clan was murdered and the empress was forced to commit suicide. Sima Lun then installed himself as regent over the frail Emperor Hui. His co-conspirator and advisor, Sun Xiu, convinced Sima Lun to depose Hui and declare himself emperor of China. Hui's grandson was executed and Hui was placed under house arrest.
Sima Lun's usurpation of the throne was not taken well by the Chinese people. The new emperor awarded honors to many former rebels to pacify them. He placed most members of the Jin family under guard or house arrest, but one, Sima Jiong, rose up in rebellion first. The other family members joined in the revolt before Sima Lun could quiet them. His forces were quickly defeated by a joint army of Jin soldiers from various provinces, all preceded over by Jin family members. The usurper was captured in Luoyang and forced to restore Hui to his throne. He was then commanded to commit suicide. His advisors were all executed for supporting a usurper and all of Sima Lun's sons were tracked down and forced to commit suicide.
Date of Death: 5 June 301
Successor: Hui
Other Monarch Deaths:
Epiphanius, patriarch of Constantinople (535)
Sanjo, emperor of Japan (1017)
Louis X, king of France (1316)
Dmitry, grand prince of Vladimir (1383)
Bodawpaya, king of Burma (1819)
Edward VIII, king of the United Kingdom (1972)
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