September 6, 265(265-09-06) (aged 53–54)[5] Luoyang, Henan
Consorts
Empress Wenming
Issue
Emperor Wu Sima You Sima Jian Sima Ji Sima Yanzuo Princess Jingzhao
Names
Family name: Sima (司馬) Given name: Zhao (昭) Courtesy name: Zishang (子上)
Posthumous name
Emperor Wen (文帝)
Temple name
Taizu (太祖)
House
House of Sima
Father
Sima Yi
Mother
Empress Xuanmu
In this Chinese name, the family name is Sima.
Sima Zhao (pronunciationⓘ) (211 – 6 September 265[6]), courtesy name Zishang, was a Chinese military general, politician, and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China and Emperor of Jin dynasty
Sima Zhao capably maintained control of Wei, which had been seized by his father Sima Yi and previously maintained by his older brother Sima Shi, successfully crushing all internal opposition in the form of dissent and rebellion. In 263, despite opposition, he decided to take advantage of the present weakness in Shu Han to the west and launched an invasion against it, which eventually managed to convince its emperor, Liu Shan, towards formally surrendering, tipping the decades-long established balance of power decisively in Wei's favor. Towards the end of the campaign, he had himself created the Duke of Jin and accepted the Nine bestowments—a step that put him closer to usurpation of the throne—although he never actually ascended the throne, having further styled himself the King of Jin in 264, and then died in 265. His military credit and successful grip on the political scene helped to set up the plot of overthrowing Wei by his son, Sima Yan, who usurped the Wei throne and proclaimed the Jin dynasty with himself as its emperor in 266. After the establishment of Jin, Sima Yan posthumously honoured his father as Emperor Wen of Jin (晉文帝), with the temple name of Taizu (太祖).
A Chinese idiom involving and inspired by Sima Zhao states that "Everyone on the street knows what's in Sima Zhao's mind" (司馬昭之心, 路人皆知), meaning that a person's supposed hidden intention (in this case, usurping the throne) is so well known that it is not really hidden. It came from a quotation by Cao Mao, fourth emperor of Wei, who launched an unsuccessful uprising against Sima Zhao in an attempt to take back imperial power.
^
Because the campaign against Shu was going well, Sima Zhao was once more offered the position of Chancellor of the State [xiangguo], as well as the title Duke of Jin and the Nine Awards. This time, Sima Zhao accepted these honors.
Zizhi Tongjian, Sima Guang
^
Because the generals attacking Shu had reported their victories in succession, in an edict the Emperor again commanded that the da jiangjun Sima Zhao should have his rank, enfeoffment and gifts advanced, all as in the former edict; Sima Zhao accepted the appointment.
Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms, Achilles Fang
^
In winter, in the tenth month, on the day jiayin (December 9), the Emperor again commanded in an edict that the da jiangjun should have his rank, enfeoffment, and gifts advanced, all as in the former edict.
Sanguozhi, Chronicle of the Prince of Chenliu
^
In winter, in the tenth month, the Son of Heaven, because the various feudal lords reported their victories in succession, reiterated his former command, saying, '...[the text of the edict]...' Ducal and other ministers, and generals all betook themselves to the headquarters of the da jiangjun to convey the Imperial wishes, but Wendi declined out of modesty. The sigong Zheng Chong at the head of the myriad officials advised him to accept, saying, '...[the text of the petition]...' Thereupon Wendi accepted the appointment.
Jin Shu, Chronicle of Wendi
^Declercq, Dominik (1998). "Chapter 5". Writing Against the State: Political Rhetorics in Third and Fourth Century China. BRILL. p. 176. ISBN 9004103767. Retrieved 2 January 2015. Hardly was this rebellion crushed than Sima Shi died (in March 255); and his brother Sima Zhao took command...
^xinmao day of the 8th month of the 2nd year of the Xianxi era. (咸熙二年秋八月辛卯，帝崩于露寝，时年五十五。) Jin Shu, vol.02
SimaZhao (pronunciation) (211 – 6 September 265), courtesy name Zishang, was a Chinese military general, politician, and regent of the state of Cao Wei...
brother, SimaZhao, whose son Sima Yan eventually usurped the throne and established the Jin dynasty. After Sima Yan became emperor, he, recognising Sima Shi's...
personal name Sima Yan (Chinese: 司馬炎; pinyin: Sīmǎ Yán), courtesy name Anshi (安世), was a grandson of Sima Yi, nephew of Sima Shi and son of SimaZhao. He became...
seize back state power from the regent SimaZhao but failed. He was killed in an abortive coup d'état against SimaZhao. Cao Mao was a son of Cao Lin, the...
where they stayed with Sima Lang's kinsman, Zhao Weisun. In 194, when war broke out between the warlords Cao Cao and Lü Bu, Sima Lang brought his family...
Three Kingdoms period (220–280) in China. Two of his sons, Sima Shi (208–255) and SimaZhao (211–265), rose to power in the 250s and consecutively served...
half-brothers Sima Shi and SimaZhao. Around February or March 250, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Anle Village, and when SimaZhao established the Five Feudal...
his father, the Cao Wei regent SimaZhao. He was their second son, but after the early death of his older brother Sima Gui (司馬軌), he became the oldest...
Mao was killed in an attempt to seize back state power from the regent SimaZhao, Cao Huang was selected to succeed Cao Mao. At the time Cao Huang became...
step of usurpation up to his eldest son, Sima Yan.[citation needed] On 4 February 266, SimaZhao's son, Sima Yan, forced Cao Huan to abdicate in his favor...
Shuang. Sima Yi and two of his sons, Sima Shi and SimaZhao, came to serve as the de facto rulers of Wei. In 266, SimaZhao's eldest son, Sima Yan, also...
Shuang and Sima Yi. Cao Yu, Cao Zhao and Qin Lang were excluded from the regency. Half a month later, when Cao Rui was on his deathbed, Sima Yi arrived...
was retaken by the end of the year. Sima Shi died on 23 March, 255, and was succeeded by his younger brother SimaZhao. In 257 the Wei general Zhuge Dan...
Liu Shan: One day, the Wei regent SimaZhao invited Liu Shan and his followers to a feast, during which SimaZhao arranged to have entertainers perform...
Tan Jianci is active as an actor in China and is known for his roles as SimaZhao in The Advisors Alliance (2017), Cao Pi in Secret of the Three Kingdoms...
Shao becomes enemy after Zhao Yun discovers Guan Yu. 2 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Zhang Fei, and in Part 2 is Zhao Yun. 3 Another Ally Commander...
brother SimaZhao became the new regent and continued to monopolise power in Wei. In 260, Cao Mao attempted to launch a coup d'état to overthrow SimaZhao but...
to Sima Shi and SimaZhao, the regents of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms era, and subsequently served as an official in the court of Sima Zhao's...
Wei Guan and Zhong Hui, who were acting under order by the Wei regent SimaZhao. He was placed in a prison cart and escorted to the capital Luoyang, but...
dynasty, who lived during the Three Kingdoms period. She was the wife of SimaZhao, a regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of...
two rebellions – so he started the third rebellion against SimaZhao, who succeeded Sima Shi as regent of Wei in 255. Although he received some support...
eventually fell into the hands of the regent Sima Yi and subsequently to his sons, Sima Shi and SimaZhao. In Shu, Jiang Wei inherited Zhuge Liang's legacy...
by SimaZhao while regent of Cao Wei—rather than emperor. He created his son Sima Shao crown prince. In early 318, Liu Cong, the emperor of Han Zhao, executed...
Xiao Shunyao as Sima Shi Lin Jingzhe as Sima Shi (child) Rong Zishan as Sima Shi (young) Tan Jianci as SimaZhao Mei Zihan as SimaZhao (young) Zhang He...
a failed coup against SimaZhao. Soon after, SimaZhao died and his title as Duke of Jìn was inherited by his son Sima Yan. Sima Yan immediately began...
intelligence and wisdom. Zhang Chunhua married Sima Yi and bore him three sons – Sima Shi, SimaZhao and Sima Gan (司馬幹). She also bore him a daughter whose...
Global Information