Former Yan

Former Yan was a Chinese state established during the Sixteen Kingdoms period (304–376 CE). It was founded by the Murong family of the Xianbei, a nomadic people, and existed primarily in northern China. The state was known for its strong military, partly due to its Xianbei heritage, and aimed to unify northern China amid chaos after the fall of the Jin Dynasty. Although influential for a time, it eventually declined due to internal strife and external pressures, ultimately falling to the Later Qin in 370 CE. Former Yan played a significant role in the political and cultural developments of northern China during this tumultuous era.