Sui, << sway, >> dynasty was a Chinese dynasty (family of rulers) that governed from A.D. 581 to 618. The dynasty’s first ruler, Yang Jian (also spelled Yang Chien) united most of northern and southern China after almost 400 years of civil war. He issued a new law code, built a new capital near Xi’an, and promoted Buddhism. Yang Jian died in 604, possibly murdered by his son, Sui Yangdi (Sui Yang-ti), who then ruled.
Yangdi built the first Grand Canal, a waterway for shipping grain and other products. It extended almost 1,200 miles (1,930 kilometers), from Hangzhou to Luoyang to near Beijing. Yangdi failed in attempts to conquer Korea and Manchuria. After the Koreans defeated the Sui army in 612, the Chinese people became dissatisfied with the emperor and revolted. In 615, the Sui army suffered another defeat, by the Eastern Turks, and Yangdi retreated to the south. He was assassinated in 618, and the Sui dynasty ended. The Tang dynasty was founded that same year.
See also China (The period of division) ; Grand Canal .
