Founded by the
拓跋 clan of the
鲜卑, it reunited north China in 439. In 494 Emperor Xiaowen (
孝文帝) moved the capital from
平城 (modern Datong) to
洛阳 and had the court take up Chinese dress, language and surnames. It split in 534–535 into the
东魏 and the
西魏. It is also called
后魏.
