Southern Qi

Southern Qi was the second of the four Southern dynasties of China, ruling from Jiankang, modern Nanjing, between 479 and 502. It was founded by Xiao Daocheng, a general of the Liu Song dynasty, who forced the last Liu Song emperor to abdicate and took the throne as Emperor Gao. The state controlled the lower Yangtze region and competed with the Northern Wei across the Huai River frontier. Its most capable ruler, Emperor Wu, presided over a period of stability and literary activity, but later reigns were marked by violent succession struggles within the Xiao family. In 502 the general Xiao Yan deposed the last emperor and founded the Liang dynasty, ending Southern Qi after only twenty-three years. Its court was associated with the Yongming style of poetry, and several of its rulers were noted patrons of literature. The dynasty is remembered for its poetry, its Buddhist patronage and the official history, the Book of Qi, compiled soon afterwards.