World at War  /  Conflicts  /  Recorded History
World at War

An Lushan Rebellion

755–763 AD China Status: ended Casualties: Census fell by ~36 million (war + displacement + plague); upper estimates ~13–36 million dead

One of the deadliest conflicts in history relative to world population. The general An Lushan turned against Tang Emperor Xuanzong; eight years of civil war and famine broke Tang central authority forever. The dynasty staggered on another 144 years.

Open on the interactive globe →

Belligerents

  • Tang Dynasty
  • Yan rebels under An Lushan & Shi Siming

Casualties

Census fell by ~36 million (war + displacement + plague); upper estimates ~13–36 million dead

From World at War, an interactive atlas by Jairus Pereira. Figures are approximate, drawn from Wikipedia, UCDP, ACLED and academic sources — a design artefact, not an authoritative register. Contact.