Empress Dowager He (Eastern Wu)

Empress Dowager He was the wife of Sun Jun, a powerful regent of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The specifics of her personal name are not recorded in historical texts. After Sun Jun's assassination in 256 CE, Empress Dowager He played a brief but significant role in the subsequent power struggle.

Following Sun Jun's death, a coup was attempted by Sun Lin, who had been designated by Sun Jun as his successor. Empress Dowager He, allied with the emperor Sun Liang and General Lü Ju, attempted to resist Sun Lin's takeover. She issued an edict to rally troops and support against Sun Lin, essentially challenging his authority. However, the effort failed, and Sun Lin successfully consolidated his power, exiling Lü Ju and effectively controlling the imperial court.

Empress Dowager He's involvement in the coup demonstrated the potential for female influence, albeit limited, within the political machinations of the Eastern Wu court. Her opposition to Sun Lin, despite ultimately being unsuccessful, highlights the unstable political landscape following Sun Jun's demise and the various factions vying for control. The historical records offer few further details about her life after Sun Lin's victory. Her actions, though brief, are recorded to illustrate the turbulence and complexities of the regency period within Eastern Wu.