Sima Yi Biography

Sima Yi (179 – 7 September 251), courtesy name Zhongda, was a military general, government official and regent of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period. He is best known for defending Wei from a series of invasions between 230 and 234 by Wei’s rival state, Shu Han. His success and subsequent rise to power as the regent of Wei paved the way for the establishment of the Jin dynasty (265-420), which was founded by his grandson Sima Yan. In 265, after Sima Yan became emperor, he honoured his grandfather with the posthumous title Emperor Xuan of Jin and the temple name Gaozu.