The War of the Eight Princes (291-306 CE) is the conflict which weakened and finally ended the Western Jin Dynasty (266-316 CE) in China and resulted in more far-reaching consequences throughout the country. The power of the Sima family was established in the State of Wei by Sima Yi (l. 179-251 CE) during the period of the Three Kingdoms prior to the rise of the Jin Dynasty. The princes' conflict arose over who would wield the most power in the royal Sima family after the death of Emperor Wu (birth name Sima Yan, l. 236-290 CE) whose successor, Emperor Hui (birth name Sima Zhong, l. 259-307 CE), was disabled and so easily manipulated by others.
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