Yangping Pass (阳平关 yáng píng guān) was a crucial mountain pass guarding Hanzhong from the north. Zhang Lu controlled it until 215, when Cao Cao captured it during his Hanzhong Campaign. In 219, Liu Bei seized the pass, securing his northern frontier. The pass remained a key defensive position throughout the Three Kingdoms period.
Strategic importance
Mountain passes and battle sites were crucial to Three Kingdoms military strategy. Control of key passes meant control of supply lines and invasion routes. Many famous battles were fought at these locations, and their names became synonymous with military triumph or disaster.
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. A Biographical Dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms