Galerius vs Tuoba Gui

Galerius led a Roman army against the Sassanid Empire, suffering an initial defeat near Carrhae. He later regrouped and won a decisive victory, capturing the Persian king Narseh's family and forcing a favorable peace treaty.

Galerius was a primary instigator of Diocletian's Great Persecution, which sought to suppress Christianity through destruction of churches, confiscation of property, and execution of clergy. The persecution lasted until 311.

Galerius, on his deathbed, issued an edict ending the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. The edict granted Christians the right to practice their religion and rebuild their churches, marking a major shift in imperial policy.

Tuoba Gui declared himself Prince of Dai, later Emperor Daowu of Northern Wei, founding the Northern Wei dynasty. He united the Tuoba Xianbei tribes and established a capital at Shengle (modern Inner Mongolia), beginning a dynasty that would rule northern China for nearly 150 years.

Tuoba Gui defeated the Later Yan army at the Battle of Canhe Slope. The victory was decisive, with massive casualties on the Later Yan side. This battle broke the power of Later Yan and allowed Northern Wei to expand into central Hebei.

Tuoba Gui captured the Later Yan capital of Zhongshan (modern Dingzhou, Hebei). He annexed the Later Yan territories and moved the Northern Wei capital to Pingcheng (modern Datong), establishing a strong base for further conquests.

Tuoba Gui introduced the 'equal-field' (juntian) land system, distributing land to peasants based on the number of able-bodied laborers. This reform increased agricultural productivity, stabilized tax revenues, and reduced the power of landed aristocrats.

Tuoba Gui was assassinated by his son Tuoba Shao in a palace coup. The assassination stemmed from Tuoba Gui's increasingly erratic and paranoid behavior in his later years. His death led to a succession crisis, but his son Tuoba Si eventually took the throne.