Chen Dynasty 陳朝 (557-589) was the fourth and the last of the Southern dynasties in China, eliminated by the Sui Dynasty. This dynasty had very little chance of survival. The devastation of the last years of the Liang Dynasty severely crippled the Chen Dynasty. The last of the Chen Emperors, Houzhu, has been described as 'drunk, dissolute, neglectful of the Great Spirits of Heaven and His Ancestors, addicted to foolish superstition and surrounded by worthless companions.' The Sui distributed pamphlets on his faults causing the population to revolt. He tried to hide with two concubines in a well but was found. Yang Jian spared his life, however, to keep the empire unified.

Sovereigns of Chen Dynasty (557-589)

Chen Dynasty | 557 establishments | 589 disestablishments

Dynastie Chen | 陳 (南朝) | Chen Dynasty | Chen-dynastia | 南陳