541-604

Chinese Emperor

Wen-Ti, the posthumous name given to Yang Chien, was the emperor of China from 581 to 604. The founder of the Sui dynasty, he is credited with the reunification and reorganization if China after centuries of unrest. He was well trained in military strategy, which he used to overthrow the government and assume the title of emperor. While in office, Wen-Ti was responsible for many reforms and building projects that had a significant impact on Chinese culture.

Wen-Ti was a member of an extremely powerful and influential family that typically held high offices in the governments of non-Chinese clans. These clans broke up much of southern China at that time. Wen-Ti was raised primarily by a Buddhist nun, but when he reached age 13 he attended a government sponsored school for the upper class. In school, he seemed more concerned with horsemanship and military exercises than...