The rebellion,An Lushan-Shi Siming Rebellion, launched by An Lushan and Shi Siming during the Tang dynasty, also known as the Tianbao Rebellion.
During the transition from the Kaiyuan to the Tianbao eras (early–mid 8th century), Tang politics became increasingly corrupt, social tensions intensified, central authority weakened, and regional military governors (jiedushi) gained power. In the eleventh month of the fourteenth year of Tianbao (755 CE), An Lushan—the military governor of three key frontier commands: Pinglu, Fanyang, and Hedong—rose in revolt from Fanyang (modern-day Beijing), claiming his goal was to eliminate the corrupt chancellor Yang Guozhong. His forces swiftly defeated Tang armies; prefectures and counties in Hebei surrendered without resistance. The rebels crossed the Yellow River and captured Luoyang.
The following year (756), An Lushan declared himself emperor in Luoyang, founding the short-lived state of “Yan.” In June, his troops seized Tong Pass and entered Chang’an. Emperor Xuanzong fled to Sichuan, while his son, Emperor Suzong, ascended the throne in Lingwu (modern-day Lingwu, Ningxia) and took charge of the counterinsurgency efforts.
In 757 (the second year of Zhide), An Lushan was assassinated by his own son, An Qingxu. Tang generals, notably Guo Ziyi, recaptured Chang’an and Luoyang, forcing An Qingxu to retreat to Yecheng (modern-day Anyang, Henan). In 759 (the second year of Qianyuan), Shi Siming killed An Qingxu, returned to Fanyang, and proclaimed himself “Emperor of Yan.” Two years later, Shi Siming was murdered by his son Shi Chaoyi.
Finally, in 763 (the first year of Guangde), with no escape left, Shi Chaoyi committed suicide, marking the end of the rebellion.
Lasting nearly eight years, the An Lushan Rebellion caused massive devastation to social stability and economic production. It marked the turning point at which the Tang dynasty declined from its golden age into an era of warlordism and regional fragmentation.
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