Mount Dingjun (定军山 dìng jūn shān) was a strategic mountain in Hanzhong, famous as the site of the Battle of Mount Dingjun in 219. In this battle, Huang Zhong defeated and killed Xiahou Yuan, Cao Cao’s general defending Hanzhong. This decisive victory secured Hanzhong for Liu Bei, who subsequently declared himself King of Hanzhong. The mountain became a symbol of Huang Zhong’s martial prowess despite his advanced age.
Historical significance
Battle sites and geographical features played crucial roles in Three Kingdoms military campaigns. Mountains provided defensive positions, rivers served as transportation routes and natural barriers, and plains became battlegrounds for decisive engagements. Many of these locations became legendary through the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Modern location
See individual article for precise modern coordinates and archaeological status.
References
- Chen Shou, Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志)
- Luo Guanzhong, Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义)
- de Crespigny, Rafe. Fire Over Luoyang: A History of the Later Han Dynasty