10 Facts About Sima Lun

Sima Lun is usually not counted in the list of Jin emperors due to his brief reign, and was often mentioned by historians as an usurper.

Sima Lun was the third of the eight princes commonly associated with the War of the Eight Princes.

Sima Lun served as a general and governor at times during his nephew's reign, but was undistinguished; several times he was accused of crimes, such as when sending Cavalier Commander Liu Ji to pay laborers wanting to rob imperial furs, but each time Emperor Wu pardoned him of them.

Sima Lun then requested a high level office, but was rebuffed by Empress Jia's advisors Zhang Hua and Pei Wei.

Sima Lun was persuaded to join the conspiracy, but Sun Xiu had another plan for him: he should encourage Empress Jia to assassinate the crown prince in exile, and then use the assassination as the excuse to overthrow her.

Sima Lun then became regent for the developmentally disabled Emperor Hui, but was described as being not particularly more intelligent than Emperor Hui.

Emperor Hui's grandson, the crown prince Sima Lun Zang, was executed.

Sima Lun's forces were easily defeated by Princes Jiong's and Ying's forces, and after declaring himself emperor for three months, Sima Lun was captured by officials in Luoyang who declared for the rebellion as well and forced him to issue an edict returning the throne to Emperor Hui.

Sun and other associates of Sima Lun were executed, as were all of Sima Lun's sons.

Sima Lun was posthumously demoted to commoner rank as "Commoner Zhao".