Pingyi (region)


Pingyi, also known as Zuo Pingyi, was a historical region of China located in modern Shaanxi province.
In early Han dynasty, the administrator of an area to the east of the capital Chang'an was known as Zuo Neishi, and the region was also known by the same name. In 104 BC, Zuo Neishi was renamed Zuo Pingyi. In Western Han, the area administered 21 counties: Gaoling, Yueyang, Didao, Chiyang, Xiayang, Ya, Suyi, Gukou, Lianshao, Fu, Pinyang, Linjin, Chongquan, Heyang, Duiyu, Wucheng, Chenyang, Huaide, Zheng, Yunling, Wannian, Changling, Yangling and Yunyang. Over the course of Eastern Han dynasty, 9 counties were abolished, and two more were transferred to the neighboring Jingzhao. In 2 AD, the region had a population of 917,822 in 235,101 households, while the census in 140 AD recorded a population of 145,195 in 37,090 households.
In Cao Wei, Zuo Pingyi was renamed Pingyi Commandery. 8 counties were administered by the commandery by late Western Jin. It was further divided during the Northern Dynasties, and in early Sui, the remaining Pingyi Commandery was merged into Tong Prefecture.
In Sui and Tang dynasties, Pingyi Commandery was an alternative name for Tong Prefecture. It administered 7 counties including Pingyi, Hancheng, Heyang, Chaoyi, Chengcheng, Pucheng, Xiagui and Baishui. In 742, the population was 385,560 in 58,561 households.