Siege of Jinyang (late Spring and Autumn)
455 BCE · Jinyang (in today's Taiyuan, Shanxi) · China · Ancient
Zhibo diverted water to flood the city of Jinyang; Viscount Xiang of Zhao secretly persuaded Han and Wei to change sides, flooded Zhibo's camp in turn, and destroyed the Zhi clan
Belligerents
Zhao clan
- Commanders
- Viscount Xiang of Zhao
- Strength
- Zhao clan private army, size unknown
Zhi clan allied with Han and Wei
- Commanders
- Zhibo Yao
- Strength
- Coalition of the Zhi, Han and Wei families, size unknown
Background
Zhibo Yao dominated power and, allied with Han and Wei, pressed the Zhao clan to cede land; Viscount Xiang of Zhao refused and fell back to defend Jinyang, and Zhibo diverted the Fen River to flood the city.
Course of the battle
- Diverting the river to flood the cityZhibo, allied with Han and Wei, diverted water to flood Jinyang, and the city came close to falling
- Secret pact with Han and WeiViscount Xiang of Zhao secretly persuaded the Han and Wei families to change sides and turn against Zhi
- Flooding the Zhi camp in turnThe three families joined forces to breach the dikes and flood Zhibo's camp instead; Zhibo was defeated and killed
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 455 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Jinyang (in today's Taiyuan, Shanxi) |
| Result | Zhibo diverted water to flood the city of Jinyang; Viscount Xiang of Zhao secretly persuaded Han and Wei to change sides, flooded Zhibo's camp in turn, and destroyed the Zhi clan |
| Winner | Zhao clan (counteroffensive with Han and Wei) |
| Casualties | Zhibo was killed in battle, and the Zhi clan was wiped out entirely |
| Territorial change | The State of Jin was effectively divided among the Zhao, Han and Wei families, paving the way for the Partition of Jin by three families at the start of the Warring States period |
Impact
The key battle in the partition of Jin by three families, laying the foundation for the order of the Seven Warring States.
See the world in 455 BCE on the map →