Northern and Southern Dynasties

The Northern and Southern Dynasties (approx. 420–589 AD) were a period in Chinese history marked by division and political fragmentation after the fall of the Jin Dynasty. China was split into northern and southern regions, each ruled by different dynasties that alternately fought and competed for legitimacy and stability. The north was often ruled by non-Han Chinese peoples, while the south was more culturally and ethnically Han Chinese. This era saw significant cultural exchange, technological advances, and the spread of Buddhism, setting the stage for China's reunification under the Sui Dynasty.