Jovian vs Tai Jia of Shang

Jovian issued edicts restoring privileges to the Christian church that had been revoked by Julian. He recalled Christian bishops from exile and returned confiscated property. This reestablished Nicene Christianity as the favored religion of the Roman state.

After the death of Emperor Julian during his Persian campaign, the Roman army elected Jovian, the commander of the imperial guard, as emperor. Jovian was a Christian, reversing Julian's pagan revival and restoring Christianity's favored status.

Stranded deep in Persian territory after Julian's failed invasion, Jovian negotiated a humiliating peace treaty with Shapur II. He ceded five Roman provinces east of the Tigris, including Nisibis and Singara, and abandoned Roman allies in Armenia.

Jovian died suddenly in his tent at Dadastana in Bithynia, likely from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a charcoal brazier used for heating. His reign lasted only eight months. His unexpected death created a power vacuum and led to the election of Valentinian I.

Tai Jia's reckless behavior and disregard for ancestral rituals led his chief minister Yi Yin to exile him to the Tong Palace. Yi Yin ruled as regent for three years, an unprecedented act of ministerial authority over a Shang king.

After his restoration, Tai Jia enacted administrative and moral reforms based on Yi Yin's teachings. These included stricter adherence to ancestral rites, fair taxation, and appointment of virtuous officials, stabilizing the early Shang state.

After three years in exile, Tai Jia reformed his behavior under Yi Yin's guidance. Yi Yin then restored him to the throne. Tai Jia subsequently ruled wisely, becoming a model of moral transformation in Chinese historiography.