The Three Kingdoms period was one of the most turbulent eras in Chinese history. The warlords formed alliances to crush the Yellow Turban rebels, joined forces against Dong Zhuo, then carved out their own domains and fought among themselves. The chaos rivaled that of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period and the Seven Warring States. Among the figures of the age, Cao Cao and Zhuge Liang are the most representative.
