Treaty of Five Kings

The Treaty of Five Kings (五王之盟, nga′-gwjang-tje-mrang) was a long-standing political treaty between five states, Tsjinh, Sjing, Tengh, Pjang, and Dem, recognizing the primacy of the king of Tsjinh, concluded in 256. It brought a historiographical end to the Hexarchy that was characterized by warfare, though structures that existed prior to the treaty were not totally interrupted thereby. In canonical histories, the treaty was regarded as a founding moment for Themiclesia, though this representation has numerous shortcomings and is not accepted in all circles. Notably, some historians believe that the role of warfare was replaced by marriage and economic politics, but the competitive, unstable, and multifocal nature of the Hexarchy-era interstate system remained in progress.

Provisions

1. The five kings agree not to make war on each other or support another state to make war on each other.
2. The five kings agree to defend each other when another state attacks them.
3. The kings of Sjing, Tengh, Pjang, and Dem agree to do homage to Tsjinh.

Effects

1. Since there is a tradition of intermarriage between states, the female consort becomes a power figure at court, acting as a bridge between two states.
   1. Since the consort is powerful, her offspring are preferred by her home state to ascend the throne, creating a sub-alliance of two states amongst the five.
   2. But Themiclesians were monogamous, and a succssor can represent at most two states (his home state through his father and the mother's state), the three states uninvolved form an opposition to him.

See also

• Themiclesia
• Tsjinh