Map of northern China, 523 to 528: the revolt of the Six Garrisons along the northern frontier of the Northern Wei from Woye to Yuyi, the risings in Guanzhong around Chang'an and in Hebei, Anagui's march with the Rouran from Wuchuan against Woye in 525, and Erzhu Rong against Ge Rong at Ye in 528
523–528: The garrisons on the northern frontier of the Northern Wei rise under Poliuhan Baling and beat the Wei at Wuyuan and Baidao in 524. In 525 the Rouran khan Anagui breaks the rising for the Wei. The war moves into Guanzhong and Hebei, until Erzhu Rong defeats Ge Rong at Ye in 528. Modern map; the shaded areas show where the risings ran, not frontiers.
Plate XVIII in the Atlas → © Emre-E Yavuz 2026

Who ruled

And beyond the steppe

  • China Northern Wei Emperor Xiaoming 515–528
  • Iran Sasanian Kavad I 498–531
  • Korea Goguryeo Anjang 519–531
  • Byzantium Justinian Justin I 518–527

Eastern steppe

  • Environment · Hunger in the eastern steppe; Anagui takes the Rouran south to plunder the Six Garrisons

    Anagui

Western steppe

  • Culture · Sogdian colonists found the first towns of Semirech'e, Suyab and Navaket among them, as estates of nobles (450–600)

    Suyab · Sogdians

China

  • In a year of hunger Anagui attacks the Six Garrisons of the Northern Wei and fails to take them

    Anagui · Rouran Khaganate