Family background

Jiang Wei was from Ji County (冀县/兾县), Tianshui Commandery (天水郡), which is present-day Gangu County, Gansu. As his father died early, Jiang Wei grew up with his mother and was known for his interest in the writings of the Confucian scholar Zheng Xuan.

The Fu Zi recorded that Jiang Wei was a fame-seeking person with great ambitions. He also secretly raised a private militia.

Early career in Wei

Jiang Wei began his career in his native Tianshui Commandery, which was a territory of the state of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. He started out as a clerk in charge of records and later became an assistant officer under the commandery administrator. After considering that his father died in service, the Wei government commissioned Jiang Wei as a zhonglang (中郎) and allowed him to participate in military affairs in Tianshui Commandery.

Defection to Shu

Sanguozhi account

In the spring of 228, Zhuge Liang, the Imperial Chancellor and regent of Wei's rival state Shu, launched the first of a series of military campaigns against Wei. He occupied Mount Qi (祁山; the mountainous regions around present-day Li County, Gansu) and deployed his troops there in orderly formations. Three Wei-controlled commanderies – Nan'an (南安; around present-day Longxi County, Gansu), Tianshui and Anding (安定; around present-day Zhenyuan County, Gansu) – responded to the invasion by defecting to the Shu side.

Jiang Wei's biography in the Sanguozhi recorded that at the time, Jiang Wei and his colleagues Liang Xu, Yin Shang and Liang Qian were out on an inspection tour with Ma Zun (马遵), the Administrator of Tianshui Commandery. When Ma Zun learnt of the Shu invasion and heard that many counties in Tianshui Commandery had defected to the enemy, he suspected that Jiang Wei and the others were going to betray him so he fled overnight and took shelter in Shanggui County (上邽县; within present-day Tianshui, Gansu).

By the time Jiang Wei and his colleagues realised that Ma Zun had abandoned them and fled on his own, they attempted to catch up with him but it was too late. They were denied entry when they showed up at Shanggui County, so Jiang Wei led them to his home county, Ji County (冀县/兾县; present-day Gangu County, Gansu). However, the official in charge of Ji County also refused to allow them to enter. Faced with no other choice, Jiang Wei and his colleagues surrendered and defected to Shu.

Alternative account in the Weilüe

The Weilüe recorded a different account of Jiang Wei's defection from Wei to Shu.

At the time of the Shu invasion, Ma Zun and his subordinates (including Jiang Wei) were on an inspection tour with the Wei general Guo Huai when they received news that Zhuge Liang and the Shu army had occupied Mount Qi. After telling Ma Zun that Zhuge Liang was "up to no good", Guo Huai wanted to quickly head back to Shanggui County in the east of Tianshui Commandery. Even though his headquarters was at Ji County in the west, Ma Zun did not want to go back because he feared that there would be unrest in Ji County in light of the Shu invasion. He decided to join Guo Huai and move to Shanggui County instead.

When Jiang Wei urged Ma Zun to return to Ji County, the latter told him and the others: "If you go back, then you will become my enemy." Jiang Wei ignored Ma Zun because he was worried about the safety of his family in Ji County, so he parted ways with Ma Zun and returned to Ji County with his colleague Shangguan Zixiu (上官子修) and others.

When Jiang Wei returned to Ji County, the people welcomed him back and insisted that he meet Zhuge Liang. Jiang Wei and Shangguan Zixiu relented and went to see Zhuge Liang, who was delighted to meet them. By the time Jiang Wei wanted to go back to Ji County to fetch his family members (mother, wife and child(ren)), Wei forces under Zhang He and Fei Yao had defeated the Shu vanguard at the Battle of Jieting. Unable to return to Ji County and left with no other option, Jiang Wei decided to defect to Shu and follow Zhuge Liang. After Wei forces recaptured Ji County, they took Jiang Wei's family members captive but did not execute them because they knew that Jiang Wei did not originally intend to defect to the enemy. Jiang Wei's family members thus spent the rest of their lives in prison.

During Zhuge Liangs regency

After returning to Hanzhong Commandery, Zhuge Liang appointed Jiang Wei as an Assistant official in charge of food supplies (仓曹掾). Later, Jiang Wei was commissioned as General Who Upholds Righteousness (奉义将军) and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Dangyang Village (当阳亭侯).

Jiang Wei was subsequently promoted to the rank of General Who Attacks the West (征西将军) and given the appointment of Central Army Supervisor (中监军).

During Jiang Wans regency

Following Zhuge Liang's death at the Battle of Wuzhang Plains in the autumn of 234, Jiang Wei returned to the Shu capital Chengdu and was reassigned to serve as Right Army Supervisor (右监军) with the rank of General Who Assists Han (辅汉将军). He was put in command of Chengdu's armed forces and promoted from a village marquis to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Pingxiang" (平襄侯).

In 238, Jiang Wei accompanied the Shu regent Jiang Wan to Hanzhong Commandery near the Wei–Shu border. After Jiang Wan was appointed Grand Marshal (大司马) in April or May 239, he appointed Jiang Wei as a Major (司马) under him. He also put Jiang Wei in charge of a separate force to make incursions into Wei territory.

First Northern Expedition

In 240, Jiang Wei led Shu forces to attack the Wei-controlled Longxi Commandery but was driven back by Wei forces under Guo Huai's command.

Three years later, Jiang Wei was promoted to the rank of Senior General Who Guards the West (镇西大将军) and appointed as the nominal Inspector of Liang Province (凉州刺史).

During Fei Yis regency

Following Jiang Wan's death in 246, Fei Yi became the regent of Shu.

A year later, Jiang Wei was promoted to General of the Guards (衞将军). He also shared power with Fei Yi by jointly holding the office of Manager of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing (录尚书事) with him.

In the same year, Jiang Wei suppressed a rebellion in Pingkang County (平康县; southwest of present-day Songpan County, Sichuan).

Second Northern Expedition

In 247, the Qiang tribes started a rebellion against Wei in four commanderies in Yong and Liang provinces, and called for support from Shu. Baihuwen (白虎文) and Zhiwudai (治无戴), two tribal kings in Liang Province, responded by rebelling against Wei. When Jiang Wei led Shu forces into Liang Province to support the Qiang rebels, Baihuwen and Zhiwudai led their forces to join him.

In response, the Wei government sent Xiahou Ba and Guo Huai to lead troops to suppress the rebellion and repel the Shu invasion. Jiang Wei attacked Xiahou Ba's position at the west of the Tao River but retreated back to Shu when Wei reinforcements led by Guo Huai showed up.

Third Northern Expedition

In 248, Jiang Wei led Shu forces from Shiying (石营; northwest of present-day Xihe County, Gansu) to Qiangchuan (强川; west of present-day Lintan County, Gansu) to rendezvous with the tribal king Zhiwudai (治无戴), who had recently been defeated by the Wei general Guo Huai at Longyi County (龙夷县; west of present-day Huangyuan County, Qinghai) He left his subordinate Liao Hua behind to guard the fortress at Chengzhong Mountain (成重山; located west of present-day Lintao County, Gansu).

Guo Huai split his army into two groups with the aim of preventing Jiang Wei from meeting up and combining forces with Zhiwudai. He led one group to attack Liao Hua at Chengzhong Mountain to force Jiang Wei to turn back to save Liao Hua. At the same time, he ordered his subordinate Xiahou Ba to attack Jiang Wei and push him back towards Tazhong (沓中; northwest of present-day Zhugqu County, Gansu). Guo Huai's plan succeeded as Jiang Wei turned back to save Liao Hua when he learnt that Chengzhong Mountain was under attack. In doing so, he failed to meet up with Zhiwudai and eventually retreated back to Shu.

Fourth Northern Expedition

In the autumn of 249, after he was granted acting imperial authority by the Shu emperor Liu Shan, Jiang Wei led Shu forces to attack the Wei-controlled Yong Province and gained support from the Qiang tribes. He had two fortresses constructed at Qushan (麴山; southeast of present-day Min County, Gansu).

In response to the Shu invasion, the Wei general Guo Huai ordered his subordinates Chen Tai, Xu Zhi and Deng Ai to besiege the two fortresses and cut off their supply routes.

When Jiang Wei led troops from Mount Niutou (牛头山; west of present-day Zhaohua District, Guangyuan, Sichuan) to reinforce the two fortresses, Chen Tai led a Wei army to block his path. At the same time, Chen Tai sought help from Guo Huai, who led his troops across the Tao River to attack Jiang Wei's base at Mount Niutou. Jiang Wei became fearful so he pulled back all his troops and abandoned the two fortresses.

Three days after his apparent retreat, Jiang Wei sent Liao Hua to lead a small force to distract Deng Ai at Baishui (白水; in present-day Qingchuan County, Sichuan) while he led the main army to attack Taocheng (洮城; northeast of present-day Min County, Gansu). Deng Ai saw through Jiang Wei's ruse and immediately dispatched reinforcements to Taocheng. Jiang Wei failed to capture Taocheng as Deng Ai had already strengthened its defences so he withdrew all his troops and returned to Shu.

Fifth expedition (250)

In 250, Jiang Wei led Shu forces to attack the Wei-controlled Xiping Commandery (西平郡; around present-day Xining, Qinghai). He retreated after failing to capture Xiping.

Fei Yis opposition to Jiang Weis hawkish stance

Jiang Wei believed that he was familiar with the culture of the Qiang and other non-Han Chinese tribes in western China, and had great confidence in his skills as a military leader. He often boasted that he could easily conquer the Wei-controlled lands in present-day Gansu if he had the support of the Qiang and non-Han Chinese tribes living in the region.

Fei Yi, however, disapproved of Jiang Wei's hawkish stance and warmongering behaviour towards Wei, and attempted to rein him in by limiting the number of troops he led into battle each time to no more than 10,000.

The Han Jin Chunqiu (汉晋春秋) recorded that Fei Yi once told Jiang Wei: "We aren』t as brilliant as the Imperial Chancellor. If even he can't stabilise the Empire, what makes you think we can do it? Wouldn't it be better to defend our state, govern our people well, respect and safeguard his legacy, and pass it on to future generations? Stop your wishful thinking that you can achieve victory in one fell swoop. If you fail, it will be too late for regrets."

Fei Yis assassination

On 16 February 253, Fei Yi was assassinated during a party on the first day of the Chinese New Year.

The assassin, Guo Xiu (郭修), was a Wei civilian captured in battle by Jiang Wei. After reluctantly surrendering to Shu, he attempted to assassinate Liu Shan but failed to get close to the emperor so he switched his target to Fei Yi and succeeded.

One theory says that Jiang Wei had secretly recruited Guo Xiu as an assassin after capturing him in battle, and ordered him to find an opportunity to murder Fei Yi. Jiang Wei's motive for taking Fei Yi's life, according to the theory, was that he needed to eliminate Fei Yi as a potential threat because Fei Yi had been opposing his hawkish stance towards Wei.

Regardless of whether or not Jiang Wei plotted Fei Yi's assassination, Fei Yi's death did allow Jiang Wei to gain greater control over the Shu military and continue waging war against Wei.

Jiang Weis Northern Expeditions

Sixth Northern Expedition

In the summer of 253, Jiang Wei led tens of thousands of Shu troops from Shiying (石营; northwest of present-day Xihe County, Gansu) to besiege Didao (狄道; around present-day Lintao County, Gansu). In response to the Shu invasion, the Wei regent Sima Shi ordered his generals Guo Huai and Chen Tai to lead the Wei forces stationed in the Guanzhong region to attack the invaders and lift the siege on Didao. Chen Tai attacked the Shu forces at Luomen (洛门; in present-day Wushan County, Gansu) and defeated them. Jiang Wei eventually withdrew all his forces and retreated back to Shu when they ran out of food supplies.

Seventh Northern Expedition

In the summer of 254, after the Shu government granted him authority to oversee internal and external military affairs, Jiang Wei led Shu forces to attack the Wei-controlled Longxi Commandery again. Li Jian (李简), the Wei official in charge of Didao (狄道; around present-day Lintao County, Gansu), surrendered to Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei then pressed further to attack Xiangwu County (襄武县; southeast of present-day Longxi County, Gansu) and engaged the Wei general Xu Zhi in battle. Xu Zhi was defeated and killed, but the Shu army also lost a general, Zhang Ni. The victorious Shu forces then occupied three counties – Didao, Heguan (河关; in the vicinity of present-day Dingxi, Gansu) and Lintao – and forced the residents to relocate to Shu-controlled territory.

Eighth Northern Expedition

In 255, despite strong objection from a fellow Shu general Zhang Yi, Jiang Wei went ahead with another campaign against Wei and even brought along Zhang Yi as his deputy. As the massive Shu army prepared to attack Didao (狄道; present-day Lintao County, Gansu), Wang Jing, the Wei governor of Yong Province, sought help from the Wei general Chen Tai.

After suffering a disastrous defeat against Shu forces at the west bank of the Tao River, Wang Jing and his remaining men retreated to Didao and took shelter inside the fortress. When Jiang Wei wanted to take advantage of the momentum to press on and besiege Didao, Zhang Yi advised him to stop advancing further because they would risk losing everything they had gained so far. Jiang Wei ignored him and ordered his forces to surround Didao.

In the meantime, Chen Tai, Deng Ai, Sima Fu and other Wei officers led reinforcements to Didao to save Wang Jing. Chen Tai led his troops to the hills southeast of Didao, where they lit more fires and beat their war drums loudly to let the Wei forces in Didao know that reinforcements were on the way. As a result, the Wei forces in Didao experienced a surge in morale, and the Shu forces were taken by surprise. At the same time, Chen Tai also spread false news that they were planning to cut off the Shu army's retreat route. When Jiang Wei heard about it, he became fearful so on 11 November 255 he withdrew all the Shu forces and retreated to Zhongti (钟堤; south of present-day Lintao County, Gansu).

Ninth Northern Expedition

In the spring of 256, the Shu emperor Liu Shan promoted Jiang Wei to the position of General-in-Chief (大将军). In autumn, Jiang Wei led Shu forces from Zhongti (钟堤; south of present-day Lintao County, Gansu) to conquer Mount Qi (祁山; the mountainous regions around present-day Li County, Gansu) but failed because the Wei general Deng Ai had anticipated the attack and already set up strong defences. Jiang Wei then attacked Deng Ai at Mount Wucheng (武城山; in present-day Chencang District, Baoji, Shaanxi) but was driven back. Later, he led his troops across the Wei River to launch a coordinated strike on Shanggui County (上邽县; in present-day Tianshui, Gansu) with another Shu force led by Hu Ji. However, Hu Ji failed to show up in time so Jiang Wei came under attack by Deng Ai and his army sustained heavy casualties.

As the Northern Expeditions took a huge toll on Shu's population and resources, the people increasingly resented Jiang Wei for his warmongering behaviour. In order to appease public anger, Jiang Wei wrote a memorial to the Shu imperial court to take full responsibility for the failure of the ninth Northern Expedition and requested to be demoted as punishment. Liu Shan approved Jiang Wei's request and demoted him to the position of General of the Rear (后将军) but allowed him to remain as acting General-in-Chief (大将军).

Tenth Northern Expedition

In 257, when the Wei general Zhuge Dan started a rebellion in Shouchun (寿春; present-day Shou County, Anhui), Jiang Wei decided to take advantage of the situation to stage another invasion of Wei. He led Shu forces to attack the Wei garrisons near the Great Wall which were well-stocked with supplies but poorly defended. The Wei forces stationed there started panicking when they heard of the Shu army's approach.

The Wei generals Sima Wang and Deng Ai led separate armies to the Great Wall to resist the Shu invaders. Jiang Wei then retreated to Mangshui (芒水; southeast of present-day Zhouzhi County, Shaanxi) and set up a camp there with its back facing a mountain. When the Wei forces encircled his position, Jiang Wei tried to taunt them to attack his camp but Sima Wang and Deng Ai ordered their troops to ignore the enemy and refrain from attacking.

In 258, after Jiang Wei received news that Wei forces had suppressed Zhuge Dan's rebellion, he withdrew his troops and returned to the Shu capital Chengdu. The Shu emperor Liu Shan restored him to the position of General-in-Chief (大将军).

At the time, having seen year after year of battles against Wei, the people of Shu were growing tired of having to endure the costs and effects of war. The Shu official Qiao Zhou also wrote the "Chou Guo Lun" (仇国论; "Disquisition on Rivalling States"), a satirical piece criticising Jiang Wei for his warmongering behaviour.

Eleventh Northern Expedition

In the winter of 262, Jiang Wei led Shu forces to occupy Taoyang County (洮阳县; in present-day Lintao County, Gansu) and attack Wei forces led by Deng Ai at Houhe County (侯和县) but they lost the battle. He retreated to Tazhong (沓中; northwest of present-day Zhugqu County, Gansu) and garrisoned there.

Huang Haos rise to power

Jiang Wei knew that given his background as a defector from Wei, he had to prove his loyalty to Shu so he was eager to gain glory in battle. However, despite leading eleven campaigns against Wei, he had not made any significant achievements. While he was away at the frontline, the palace eunuch Huang Hao, whom the emperor Liu Shan favoured, gradually gained power in the Shu government and dominated the political scene. Huang Hao had a close partnership with the Shu general Yan Yu (阎宇) and he considered replacing Jiang Wei with Yan Yu as General-in-Chief. Jiang Wei had long suspected that Huang Hao had something against him so he remained in Tazhong (沓中; northwest of present-day Zhugqu County, Gansu) and did not return to Chengdu after the eleventh Northern Expedition.

The Chronicles of Huayang recorded that Jiang Wei hated Huang Hao for his power-grabbing behaviour and once advised Liu Shan to execute the eunuch. However, Liu Shan refused and said: "Huang Hao is but a servant running errands for me. In the past, I was annoyed by Dong Yun's deep hatred of him. Sir, why do you need to take this so personally?" Jiang Wei soon realised that he had a mistake in advising Liu Shan to execute Huang Hao because Huang Hao had strong influence in the Shu government, so he quickly excused himself and left. Liu Shan later instructed Huang Hao to visit Jiang Wei and apologise to him. Jiang Wei also managed to convince Huang Hao to let him remain in Tazhong to oversee agricultural production. His true intention, however, was to avoid getting caught up in a power struggle with Huang Hao in Chengdu.

Fall of Shu

Jiang Weis early warnings

In 263, Jiang Wei wrote a memorial to Liu Shan as follows:

Huang Hao believed fortune-tellers' prediction that Wei would not invade Shu, so he advised Liu Shan to ignore Jiang Wei's memorial and not put it up for discussion in the imperial court.

From Tazhong to Yinping

Around August or September 263, the Wei regent Sima Zhao ordered Zhong Hui, Deng Ai and Zhuge Xu to lead Wei forces to invade Shu from three different directions. When Zhong Hui reached Luo Valley (骆谷; southwest of present-day Zhouzhi County, Shaanxi) and Deng Ai attacked Tazhong (沓中; northwest of present-day Zhugqu County, Gansu), the Shu government ordered Liao Hua to lead reinforcements to support Jiang Wei at Tazhong. At the same time, they also sent Zhang Yi, Dong Jue and other Shu officers to lead troops to guard Yang'an Pass (阳安关; in present-day Ningqiang County, Shaanxi) and assist the Shu forces on the external perimeter.

When the Shu reinforcements reached Yinping (阴平; present-day Wen County, Gansu), they heard that Zhuge Xu was attacking Jianwei (建威; northeast of present-day Wudu District, Longnan, Gansu), so they stopped in their tracks at Yinping. After about a month, Deng Ai defeated Jiang Wei and occupied Tazhong, so Jiang Wei retreated to Yinping.

At the same time, Zhong Hui besieged Hancheng (汉城; present-day Mian County, Shaanxi) and Lecheng (乐城; present-day Chenggu County, Shaanxi) counties, and sent his subordinates to attack Yang'an Pass. The Shu officer Jiang Shu (蒋舒) opened up the pass and surrendered to the enemy, while his colleague Fu Qian died trying to defend the pass. After failing to take Lecheng County, Zhong Hui gave up and advanced towards Yang'an Pass when he learnt that his subordinates had captured the pass.

Defence of Jiange

By the time Zhang Yi and Dong Jue reached Hanshou County (汉寿县; northeast of present-day Jiange County, Sichuan), Jiang Wei and Liao Hua had decided to abandon their position at Yinping and rendezvous with Zhang Yi and Dong Jue at the mountain pass Jiange, where they resisted attacks by Zhong Hui.

At one point, Zhong Hui wrote to Jiang Wei: "Sir, you are skilled in both civil and military affairs. You are exceptionally brilliant in strategy and your achievements are well-known throughout the Bashu region and the rest of the Empire. People from near and afar admire you. Every time I reflect on history, I hope that we can serve the same dynasty. Our relationship is like the friendship between Jizha and Zichan."

Jiang Wei did not reply Zhong Hui and he ordered his troops to strengthen their defences at Jiange. After failing to breach the mountain pass and with his army's food supplies running low, Zhong Hui considered pulling back all his troops and retreating.

Shu surrender

In the meantime, Deng Ai and his troops took a shortcut from Yinping through mountainous terrain and showed up at Mianzhu, where they defeated the Shu defenders led by Zhuge Zhan. After taking Mianzhu, Deng Ai advanced further and approached Chengdu, the Shu capital. In late November or December 263, Liu Shan decided to surrender to Deng Ai, thus bringing an end to the existence of Shu.

When Jiang Wei first heard that Mianzhu had fallen, he also received confusing information about the situation in Chengdu. Some said that Liu Shan wanted to remain in Chengdu and defend the city, while others claimed that the Shu emperor was going to abandon Chengdu and flee south to Jianning Commandery (建宁郡; covering parts of present-day Yunnan and Guizhou). Jiang Wei thus prepared to abandon Jiange and lead his troops to Qi County (郪县; present-day Santai County, Sichuan), which was nearer to Chengdu, to verify the truth.

Just then, Jiang Wei and his troops received orders from Chengdu to lay down their arms and surrender to Zhong Hui at Fu County (涪县; present-day Mianyang, Sichuan). Many Shu soldiers felt so shocked and angry when they heard of their emperor's surrender that they drew their swords and slashed at rocks to vent their frustration. When Zhong Hui finally met Jiang Wei, he asked him: "Why are you late?" With a solemn expression on his face and tears streaming down his cheeks, Jiang Wei replied: "Our meeting today came too early." Zhong Hui was impressed by Jiang Wei's response.

Attempt to restore Shu

Instigating Zhong Hui to rebel against Wei

Zhong Hui treated Jiang Wei well and returned him his tallies and other insignia. They travelled in the same carriage and sat at the same table during meals. Zhong Hui also told his chief clerk Du Yu: "Famous people from the Central Plains like Gongxiu and Taichu can't be compared to Boyue."

Jiang Wei sensed that Zhong Hui had the intention of rebelling against Wei and sought to exploit this opportunity to stage an uprising and restore Shu. He told Zhong Hui:

Zhong Hui replied: "What you just said is so far-off. I can't do this. Besides, given my current situation, there isn't a need for me to do this."

Jiang Wei then said:

They became even closer friends after this.

Death

Zhong Hui then framed his fellow Wei general Deng Ai for plotting a rebellion and had him arrested and sent back to the Wei capital Luoyang as a prisoner. With Deng Ai gone, Zhong Hui had control over Chengdu and the former Shu territories. In March 264, he started a revolt against the Wei regent Sima Zhao and declared himself the Governor of Yi Province (益州牧).

Zhong Hui wanted to put Jiang Wei in command of 50,000 troops and let him lead the vanguard force to attack Luoyang. However, around noon on 3 March 264, some Wei officers who were unwilling to participate in the rebellion started a mutiny against Zhong Hui. At the time, Jiang Wei was collecting his armour and weapons from Zhong Hui when they heard shouting and received news that a fire had broken out. Moments later, it was reported that many soldiers were crowding near the city gates. Zhong Hui was surprised and he asked Jiang Wei: "Those men are causing trouble. What should we do?" Jiang Wei replied: "Kill them."

Zhong Hui then ordered his men to kill the officers who refused to participate in the rebellion. A while later, there were reports of people climbing up the city gates on ladders and of people setting fire to buildings. Chaos broke out and arrows were fired in all directions. The mutinying officers regrouped with their men and attacked Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei. Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei fought the mutinying soldiers and slew about five or six of them, but were eventually overwhelmed and killed. The soldiers also killed Jiang Wei's wife and child(ren). The Shiyu (世语) recorded that the soldiers sliced open Jiang Wei's body when they killed him and saw that his gallbladder was one dou in size.

Alternative account from the Chronicles of Huayang

The Chronicles of Huayang recorded that Jiang Wei was only pretending to cooperate with Zhong Hui. He first instigated Zhong Hui to execute the Wei officers who were unwilling to join the rebellion, and then sought to find an opportunity to assassinate Zhong Hui. He would then lead the Shu people to kill all the Wei soldiers and restore their state. He also wrote a secret letter to Liu Shan as follows:

Family and descendants

Jiang Wei's father, Jiang Jiong (姜冏), served as a military officer in Tianshui Commandery and lost his life while suppressing a rebellion by the Qiang and other non-Han Chinese tribes.

Although Jiang Wei's biography in the Sanguozhi recorded that he lost contact with his mother after defecting to Shu, the Zaji (杂记) recorded that after he later received a letter from his mother asking him to return home. He wrote a reply as follows:

A genealogy book titled Da Tang Chi Xiulie Shan Siyue Tianshuijun Jiang Xing Gu Pu Zong Shixi (大唐敕修烈山四岳天水郡姜姓古谱总世系), dating from the Tang dynasty, recorded that Jiang Wei's wife was a certain Lady Liu (柳氏).

The Tang dynasty general Jiang Baoyi (姜宝谊) and chancellor Jiang Ke (姜恪) were descendants of Jiang Wei according to the table of chancellors' family trees in the New Book of Tang.

Appraisal

In his modern Chinese edition of the 11th-century historical text Zizhi Tongjian, the Taiwan-based Chinese historian Boyang mentioned that Jiang Wei was a highly controversial figure in Chinese history. He cited seven writers (Xi Zheng, Sun Sheng, Chen Shou, He Zhuo, Gan Bao, Wang Mingsheng and Pei Songzhi) who held different and discordant views of Jiang Wei.

Boyang himself, however, declined to comment but later shared in an open letter to a reader that he agreed with all seven views: Jiang Wei committed a fatal error in draining Shu's resources but he was also a loyal general who was willing to sacrifice himself in a futile attempt to restore Shu.

Zhuge Liangs views

Zhuge Liang once told Zhang Yi and Jiang Wan:

On another occasion, Zhuge Liang said:

Xi Zhengs views

Xi Zheng, a scholar from Shu who later served as an official under the Jin dynasty, commented on Jiang Wei as follows:

Sun Shengs views

The Jin dynasty historian Sun Sheng responded to Xi Zheng's comments on Jiang Wei as follows:

In his Jin Yang Qiu (晋阳秋), Sun Sheng also wrote:

Chen Shous views

Chen Shou, the Jin dynasty historian who wrote Jiang Wei's biography in the Sanguozhi, appraised Jiang Wei as follows:

He Zhuos views

The Qing dynasty writer He Zhuo (何焯) wrote:

Gan Baos views

The Jin dynasty historian Gan Bao wrote:

Wang Mingshengs views

The Qing dynasty historian Wang Mingsheng (王鸣盛) wrote:

Pei Songzhis views

The Liu Song dynasty historian Pei Songzhi, who annotated the Sanguozhi, commented on Jiang Wei as follows:

Pei Songzhi also rebutted Sun Sheng's response to Xi Zheng's comments on Jiang Wei:

Miscellaneous

The Shiyu (世语) recorded that Jiang Wei had no equal among the talented persons serving in the Shu government during his time.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Jiang Wei is a major character in the later chapters of the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which romanticises the historical events and figures of the late Eastern Han dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of China. In the novel, he is depicted as Zhuge Liang's protégé and successor who inherits the legacy of leading Shu into war against Wei with the aim of restoring the fallen Eastern Han dynasty.

Jiang Wei first appears in Chapters 92 and 93 as a Wei military officer serving in Tianshui Commandery during Zhuge Liang's first Northern Expedition. When Zhuge Liang tries to trick Ma Zun, the Administrator of Tianshui, to lead his troops out of Tianshui to save the Wei general Xiahou Mao in Nan'an Commandery, Jiang Wei sees through Zhuge Liang's ruse and advises Ma Zun to remain in Tianshui and set a trap for the enemy. When the Shu general Zhao Yun shows up to take Tianshui, he falls into the trap and briefly duels with Jiang Wei before Shu reinforcements arrive and save him. Zhao Yun tells Zhuge Liang that he is impressed that Tianshui has such a talent like Jiang Wei. When Jiang Wei successfully repels another Shu attack, Zhuge Liang is even more impressed and eager to recruit Jiang Wei to serve in Shu. He tricks Ma Zun into believing that Jiang Wei has defected to Shu in order to prevent Jiang Wei from going back to Wei, and then springs a trap for Jiang Wei. When Jiang Wei gets cornered, he attempts suicide but Zhuge Liang stops him and manages to convince him to surrender and join Shu.

Jiang Wei accompanies Zhuge Liang on his subsequent Northern Expeditions. Chapters 107 to 115 dramatise Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions and refer to them as Jiang Wei's "Nine Campaigns on the Central Plains" when historically there were actually eleven campaigns instead of nine. In Chapter 119, Jiang Wei instigates Zhong Hui to launch a rebellion against Wei, but their rebellion fails when some of Zhong Hui's officers start a mutiny against their superior. Cornered by the enemy, Jiang Wei sighs, "It is Heaven's will that my plan doesn't succeed!" He then commits suicide by slitting his throat.

A verse from the novel in Jiang Wei's honour reads:

In popular culture

Jiang Wei appears as a playable character in the video game series Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi produced by Koei Tecmo. In the games, he is portrayed as a young warrior fiercely devoted to his mentor Zhuge Liang. He also appears in Koei Tecmo's Romance of the Three Kingdoms series.

Memorials and relics

A Jiang Wei Memorial Museum (姜维纪念馆) was constructed in 1999 near Jiang Wei's hometown in the east of Gangu County, Tianshui, Gansu. The museum, covering an area of 360 square metres, was funded by the locals. Among other things, it contains a four-metre-tall statue of Jiang Wei in the main hall, as well as a stone tablet inscribed with the words "Jiang Wei's hometown" in calligraphy by the general Yang Chengwu.

The Pingxiang Tower (平襄楼) in present-day Lushan County, Sichuan is a 24-metre-tall building commemorating Jiang Wei. Its name comes from Jiang Wei's peerage, the Marquis of Pingxiang (平襄侯). The tower was built during the Song dynasty, renovated in 1445 during the Ming dynasty, and designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level by China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage in 2006.

There are a number of relics related to Jiang Wei at Jianmen Pass in present-day Jiange County, Sichuan, including a Jiang Wei Well (姜维井), Jiang Wei Cave (姜维洞), Jiang Wei Fortress (姜维城), Jiang Wei Temple (姜维庙), Lord Jiang Bridge (姜公桥), Jiang Wei Armoury (姜维军械) and Jiang Wei Tomb (姜维墓). Poets such as Lu You, Zuo Mu (左牧), Li Tiaoyuan (李调元) and Zhuang Xuehe (庄学和) have written poems at Jianmen Pass to praise Jiang Wei.

生平

凉州异才

姜维出生于202年，父亲姜冏是天水郡守的佐官，曾任郡功曹，早年于羌、戎叛乱中，战死沙场。姜维与母亲相依为命，喜欢汉朝学者郑玄学说。时常结交一些豪杰，心中有大志。初为曹魏中郎，参天水郡军事。建兴六年（228年）诸葛亮出兵祁山，姜维及功曹梁绪、主簿尹赏、主记梁虔等正与天水太守马遵、雍州刺史郭淮外出巡视，马遵听到蜀军将至，而诸县响应，怀疑姜维等人皆有异心，遂趁夜逃到上邽。姜维等人察觉马遵已逃走，想回去，但城门已关闭。去冀城，也被拒门外，遂投降诸葛亮，姜维母亲则滞留魏国。

颐和园长廊上的「收姜维」情节

诸葛亮徵辟姜维为仓曹掾，加奉义将军，封当阳亭侯，时年27岁。诸葛亮曾与张裔、蒋琬书称：「姜维忠勤时事，思虑精密，考察他所拥有之才能，李邵、马良都比不上。此人，乃凉州之上等人才。」(有一说为凉州最杰出之人）又说：「姜维在军事上很有见解，既有胆色、明义理，深解兵法意理。此人心存汉室，才能兼备于人，须先敎他操练中虎步兵五六千人，将军事全敎给他，当带他进宫，觐见天子。」后来，姜维迁为中监军、征西将军。

军旅生涯

234年，诸葛亮死于五丈原后，姜维返回成都，为右监军、辅汉将军，统率诸军，进封平襄县侯。238年，随大将军蒋琬（诸葛亮后继者）迁往汉中。蒋琬不久升为大司马，便以姜维为司马，数次率偏军西入。243年，升为镇西大将军，领凉州刺史。247年，升卫将军，与大将军费禕共同行使尚书事权。是年，汶山平康蛮人反叛，姜维率众讨伐平定。出在陇西、南安、金城郡边界，与魏国前将军郭淮、右将军夏侯霸等于洮西交战。249年，刘禅授姜维假节，姜维出兵西平。姜维每次想大举出兵，费禕常不依从，限制给他不超过一万名士兵，因此没有重大斩获。

北伐中原

253年春，费禕被降将郭修刺杀而亡。三月，吴太傅诸葛恪再次兴师攻魏，发兵20万进攻淮南。姜维率数万人出石营（今甘肃省西和县西北），经董亭（今甘肃省天水市西南），包围南安，魏雍州刺史陈泰率军解围，进至洛门（即洛门聚，今甘肃甘谷西），姜维粮尽退还。

254年，姜维加督国内外军事。二月，魏中书令李丰与皇后之父光禄大夫张缉等密谋废易大臣，欲以太常夏侯玄代替司马师为大将军。事泄，司马师杀李丰、夏侯玄等，废张皇后，魏国一时陷于混乱。魏狄道长李简密向蜀汉请降。六月，姜维复出陇西攻魏，李简献城降，占据狄道（今甘肃临洮）。十月，姜维率军进围襄武（魏陇西郡治，今甘肃陇西南），与魏将徐质交锋，斩其首级，魏军战败撤退。蜀汉前军荡寇将军张嶷战死。姜维乘胜进击，拔河关（今甘肃临夏西北）、临洮（今甘肃岷县狄道）三县民回蜀汉。

蜀延熙十八年（魏正元二年，255年）七月，姜维乘魏大将军司马师病亡之际，再度北伐，征西大将军张翼反对北伐，表示国家弱小，人民疲敝，不应穷兵黩武。姜维不听。于是与车骑将军夏侯霸、张翼等数万人攻魏。八月初二，到达枹罕（今甘肃临夏东北），遂向狄道进军。魏徵西将军陈泰命雍州刺史王经率所部进驻狄道，待他率主力自陈仓到达后，再钳击蜀汉军。王经不俟陈泰军至即擅击蜀汉军，姜维率军先后故关（今甘肃临洮北）、洮西大破王经，王经部下死者数万人。王经退保狄道，姜维乘胜进围。魏大将军司马昭命长水校尉邓艾出任安西将军，与陈泰进兵解围，并遣太尉司马孚为后援。陈泰与邓艾军会合后，分三路进至陇西，避开蜀军，出其不意地绕过高城岭（今甘肃渭源西北），进至狄道东南山上，燃火击鼓与城内联络，守军见援军至，士气大振。姜维即督军沿山进攻，被魏军击退。这时陈泰扬言截断蜀军退路，姜维遂于九月廿五日（11月11日）退却，驻钟题（今甘肃临洮南）。

256年正月，姜维在驻地拜为大将军。六月，姜维与镇西大将军胡济约期于上邽（今甘肃天水）会合。七月，姜维率先出兵祁山，闻邓艾有备，乃改从董亭（今甘肃武山南）攻南安（今甘肃陇西东南）。邓艾军抢占武城山（今甘肃武山西南）据险拒守。姜维见地利已失，强攻难克，乃夜渡渭水东进，沿山进取上邽。两军战胡济失期未至。蜀汉军为邓艾所破于段谷（今甘肃天水西南）。士卒溃散，死伤甚众。百姓因此埋怨姜维，而陇山以西亦骚动不安。姜维谢过引疚负责，自求削贬为后将军，行大将军事。

257年五月，魏徵东大将军诸葛诞联合东吴在淮南起兵反司马昭。司马昭分调关中兵东下讨伐诸葛诞。姜维欲乘机攻向秦川（渭水流域），于十二月率兵数万出骆谷（今陕西周至西南），到达沈岭（今陕西周至南）。当时，魏在长城（今陕西周至南）积存大量军粮，且防守薄弱。闻姜维至，众皆惶惧。魏徵西将军司马望和安西将军邓艾恐姜维袭夺长城，立即合军据守。姜维军进至芒水（今陕西周至黑水），依山为营。司马望、邓艾依傍渭水坚守筑寨。姜维多次挑战，司马望、邓艾不于回应。

258年三、四月间，姜维听闻诸葛诞被破失败，乃退还成都。复再被拜为大将军。

景耀年间，姜维更改魏延任汉中太守期间实兵诸围的策略，大量围守撤兵至汉、乐二城，仅剩西安、建威、武卫、石门、武城、建昌、临远等设立围守。姜维认为之前魏延的防守策略只能御敌，不能歼敌。姜维提出不如撤围，汉军只驻守关隘，坚壁清野，仅派出骚扰的游击队，让敌人深入汉中，敌人远道而来，补给困难，又无法掠夺粮食，自然撤退。此时汉军出城和游击队一同包夹，就可以消灭敌人。但忽视了前汉中太守魏延，王平对阳平关的防守。

262年十月，姜维起兵再度攻魏，攻入洮阳境。魏徵西将军邓艾率兵迎战。邓艾抓住姜维悬师远征，战线长，给养困难，难以持久的弱点。抢占有利地势，在洮阳以东侯和（今卓尼东北）设阵，以逸待劳，阻击蜀军，双方激战后，魏军发起反击，蜀军击破，损失严重。诸葛瞻、董厥等人认为姜维连年出兵，没有立下功绩，而国家又疲敝，要求罢免姜维的兵权，而姜维又厌恶宦官黄皓专权，甚至上表要刘禅杀死黄皓，刘禅拒绝。黄皓伺机报复，准备说服刘禅让自己好友右大将军阎宇代替姜维，姜维害怕，只得藉口屯田，退往沓中（今甘肃舟曲西北），实际上是远离成都以避祸。

势变溃失

景耀六年（263年），魏国将领锺会于关中练兵，姜维上表后主：「听闻锺会治兵关中，欲规画进一步拓取土地之意，宜一并派遗张翼、廖化督率各军，分别护阳安关口、阴平桥头，以防患于未然」。黄皓徵求鬼巫信息，谓敌人终究不会自来，禀告后主有其事，而群臣不知所以。及后魏大都督司马昭兵分三路大举进伐蜀汉：镇西将军锺会领十馀万大军，将兵向骆谷，南征汉中；征西将军邓艾领陇右军三万攻入沓中，牵制姜维；雍州刺史诸葛绪领兵三万至阴平桥头，阻止姜维回救蜀中。姜维立刻率军由沓中南撤，遗右车骑将军廖化往沓中为援军，左车骑将军张翼、辅国大将军董厥等往阳安关口以为诸围外相助。姜维奋力摆脱邓艾追击，并且用计骗过了诸葛绪，以阻挡魏军。而锺会围攻汉、乐二城，遗别将进攻阳安关口，武兴督蒋舒开城出降，傅佥格斗而死。锺会不能攻克乐城，听闻阳安关口已攻下，便长驱而前进。张翼、董厥甫至汉寿，姜维、廖化亦舍阴平而退，皆退保剑阁以拒锺会，双方僵持不下。锺会不能攻克剑阁，粮食运送遥远，将议还归魏国。而邓艾自阴平由景谷道傍入，遂破绵竹，蜀将诸葛瞻、诸葛尚、黄崇、张遵、李球等战死。刘禅请降于邓艾，邓艾前往占据成都。

谋败身死

姜维等人起初听闻邓艾攻破诸葛瞻于绵竹，又听到许多关于刘禅的传言，有或听闻刘禅欲固守成都，或听闻欲往东入奔吴国，或听闻欲往南入建宁，于是引军弃剑阁往成都。不久接到刘禅投降命令，姜维乃投戈放甲，蜀汉将士非常愤怒，纷纷拔刀砍石来发泄。于是姜维便决定假降于锺会，并获取其信任，然后挑拨他和邓艾之间的关系，怂恿其叛变，意图趁乱杀锺会，夺其军权，复兴蜀汉。但最后众将没有响应锺会的叛乱，蜀地的魏军发生兵变，兵士愤怒格杀锺会、姜维及张翼。姜维时年六十二岁。司马昭参军卫瓘念其忠心，厚葬姜维。据《三国志·姜维传》注引《世语》记载，姜维死时腹部被剖开，胆跟斗一样大，所以后世有「大胆姜伯约」的说法。

西魏年间，姜维被权臣宇文泰追封为开明王。

评价

后世对于姜维的评价，颇具争议。有史学家认为他出兵无度，导致国力疲弊，间接使蜀汉亡国；有另一些学者认为并不尽然。

成都武侯祠内的姜维塑像

• 蜀汉丞相诸葛亮：「姜伯约忠勤时事，思虑精密，考其所有，永南、季常诸人不如也。其人，凉州上士也。」又说：「姜伯约甚敏于军事，既有胆义，深解兵意。此人心存汉室而才兼于人，毕教军事，当遣诣宫，觐见主上。」

• 魏国司徒锺会：「公侯以文武之德，怀迈世之略，功济巴、汉、声畅华夏，远近莫不归名。每惟畴昔，尝同大化，吴札、郑乔，能喻斯好。」又说：「以伯约比中土名士，公休、太初不能胜也。」。

• 魏国邓艾：「姜维，自一时雄儿也。然与某相值，故穷耳。」（《三国志·魏书·王毌丘诸葛邓钟传第二十八》）

• 蜀汉官员郤正后在西晋官至太守，著论评论姜维，称：「姜伯约据上将之重，处群臣之右。宅舍弊薄，资财无馀，侧室无妾媵之亵，后庭无声乐之娱。衣服取供，舆马取备，饮食节制，不奢不约，官给费用，随手消尽；察其所以然者，非以激贪厉浊，抑情自割也。直谓如是为足，不在多求。凡人之谈，常誉成毁败，扶高抑下，咸以姜维投厝无所，身死宗灭，以是贬削，不复料掷，异乎《春秋》褒贬之义矣。如姜维之乐学不倦，清素节约，自一时之仪表也。」（「位居上将之重位，处于群臣之首。屋宅院舍简陋，没有多馀资财和妾室，家中没有声乐娱乐之物，穿衣、出行、日用及饮食上也有节制，薪水也都随手用光；姜维之所以这样，并非刻意表现清廉高尚，而是满足于这样的待遇，没有多馀奢求。常人誉成毁败，扶高抑下，都认为姜维投降于蜀，最后死无葬身之地和家族灭亡是失败作为，而不复探索其他方面，这有异于春秋褒贬人物之本义。像姜维这样好学不倦，清廉朴素，节俭简约，可说是一时之模范。」）

• 郭颁：「时蜀官属皆天下英俊，无出维右。」

• 曹奂：「蜀所恃赖，唯维而已。」

• 干宝：「姜维为蜀相，国亡主辱弗之死，而死于钟会之乱，惜哉！非死之难，处死之难也。是以古之烈士，见危授命，投节如归，非不爱死也，固知命之不长而惧不得其所也。」

• 左思：「庭扣钟磬，堂抚琴瑟。匪葛匪姜，畴能是恤？」

• 常璩：「姜维才非亮匹，志继洪轨，民嫌其劳，家国亦丧矣。」

• 蜀汉将领廖化于景耀五年（262年）姜维出兵狄道时表示：「『兵不戢，必自焚』，伯约之谓也。智不出敌，而力少于寇，用之无厌，何以能立？诗云『不自我先，不自我后』，今日之事也。」点出了廖化对姜维连年用兵，耗损蜀汉国力的担忧。

• 陈寿于《三国志》中评论：「姜维粗有文武，志立功名，而玩众黩旅，明断不周，终致陨毙。老子有云：『治大国者犹烹小鲜』况于区区蕞尔，而可屡扰乎哉。」

• 傅玄《傅子》：「维为人好立功名，阴养死士，不修布衣之业。」「姜维欲速立其功，勇而无决也。」

• 东晋孙盛对姜维评价很差：「异哉郤氏之论也！夫士虽百行，操业万殊，至于忠孝义节，百行之冠冕也。姜维策名魏室，而外奔蜀朝，违君徇利，不可谓忠；捐亲苟免，不可谓孝；害加旧邦，不可谓义；败不死难，不可谓节；且德政未敷而疲民以逞，居御侮之任而致敌丧守，于夫智勇，莫可云也：凡斯六者，维无一焉。实有魏之逋臣，亡国之乱相，而云人之仪表，斯亦惑矣。纵维好书而微自藻洁，岂异夫盗者分财之义，而程、郑降阶之善也？」（「士大夫虽有百种德行，做万种不同作业，但忠孝义节是百行中最重要品德。姜维求功名于魏室，而外奔蜀汉，违背主君而徇私，不可谓『忠』；为苟且免死，捐弃母亲，不可谓『孝』；加害于旧祖国，不可谓『义』；战败而不死于难，不可谓『节』；而且没有德政而疲惫人民以逞强，身居抵御外侮之责任而引致丧失国土于敌人，不可谓『智勇』。这六样美德，姜维一项也没有。实有魏之叛臣，亡蜀汉之乱相，而说他人之仪表。纵使姜维好读书而自奉卑微、文藻高洁，岂不与强盗富贵，晋侯嬖程郑降问自降下伪善之道理一样？」）「盛以为古人云，非所困而困焉名必辱，非所据而据焉身必危，既辱且危，死其将至，其姜维之谓乎！邓艾之入江油，士众鲜少，维进不能奋节绵竹之下，退不能总帅五将，拥卫蜀主，思后图之计，而乃反覆于逆顺之间，希违情于难冀之会，以衰弱之国，而屡观兵于三秦，已灭之邦，冀理外之奇举，不亦暗哉！」

• 但裴松之为《三国志》作注则不同意孙盛之批评：「臣松之以为盛之讥维，又为不当。于时锺会大众既造剑阁，维与诸将列营守险，会不得进，已议还计，全蜀之功，几乎立矣。但邓艾诡道傍入，出于其后，诸葛瞻既败，成都自溃。维若回军救内，则会乘其背。当时之势，焉得两济？而责维不能奋节绵竹，拥衞蜀主，非其理也。会欲尽坑魏将以举大事，授维重兵，使为前驱。若令魏将皆死，兵事在维手，杀会复蜀，不为难矣。夫功成理外，然后为奇，不可以事有差牙，而抑谓不然。设使田单之计，邂逅不会，复可谓之愚暗哉！」（「臣裴松之以为孙盛之讥评姜维，又为不当。于时锺会大众既造剑阁，姜维与诸将列营守险，锺会不得进，已相议退还之计，几乎建立保全蜀汉之功。但邓艾行险诡道傍入，出于其后，诸葛瞻既败，成都自行投降。姜维若回军救成都，必被前后夹击，如果这就批评姜维守备绵竹不力，不能保住蜀国，并没有道理，及后锺会谋反，企图尽杀魏将，并授大权与姜维，若魏将皆死，姜维杀锺会以复国之计大有可能成功，计谋胆量可称为奇，虽然最后失败，但却不能说姜维只是庸才一名，若当年田单复齐国不成，我们又要说田单只是庸人一名?」）「郤正此论，取其可称，不谓维始终行事皆可准则也。所云『一时仪表』，止在好学与俭素耳。本传及魏略皆云维本无叛心，以急逼归蜀。盛相讥贬，惟可责其背母。馀既过苦，又非所以难却正也。」「亮有吞魏之志久矣，不始于此众人方知也，且于时师出无成，伤缺而反者众，三郡归降而不能有。姜维，天水之匹夫耳，获之则于魏何损？」

• 《世说新语》：「时蜀官属皆天下英俊，无出维右。」

• 范缜：「比干之心，七窍列角；伯约之胆，其大若拳，此心器之殊也。是知圣人定分，每绝常区，非惟道革群生，乃亦形超万有。」

• 陈普：「国小民劳事已非，城狐不斩愈危机。却屯已可擒钟会，邓艾无翎独解飞。」「无德那堪力不任，重关如掌寇戎深。幽冥不系枭钟会，犹有区区一片心。」（《陈普诗选》）

• 胡三省：「维之智固足以玩弄钟会于股掌之上，迫于时、制于命，奈之何哉！？姜维之心，始终为汉，千载之下，炳炳如丹，陈寿、孙盛之贬，非也。」「屡败而不止，为亡蜀张本。」

• 罗贯中：「天水夸英俊，凉州产异才。系从尚父出，术奉武侯来。大胆应无惧，雄心誓不回。成都身死日，汉将有馀哀。」

• 李贽：「又一孔明。」

• 黄宗羲：「主上以忠臣之后仗我，我所以栖栖不忍去也；今方寸乱矣，吾不能为姜伯约矣。」

• 清代史学家王鸣盛赞姜维「姜维志在复蜀，不成被杀，其赤心则千载如生，维之于蜀，犹张世杰、陆秀夫之于宋耳。」「但讥其玩众黩旅，以致陨毙，寿岂不知不伐贼王业亦亡，惟坐而待亡，孰与伐之？」。

• 蔡东藩：「姜维才不逮诸葛，而欲与魏争胜，连岁出师，致民劳苦，不可谓非失计。然如后主之昏愚，亲小人，远贤臣，就使维不伐魏，蜀亦宁能久存乎？况维闻魏人窥蜀，即表请遣将守险，而为一黄皓所误，卒至魏兵三路，长驱直入；是咎在黄皓，于维无尤也。剑阁守险，钟会屡攻不克，而邓艾从阴平进兵，直趋涪城，诸葛瞻不依黄崇之议，让敌深入，猝至战死，是咎在诸葛瞻，于维亦无尤也。成都虽危，尚堪背城借一，后主宁从谯周，不从北地王谌，面缚出降，坐丧蜀土，是咎在后主，于维更无尤也。至大势已去，维尚诈降钟会，意图规复，乃不幸失败，一死谢国，维之报主，至矣尽矣！天不祚蜀，何维之足尤乎？」

• 近代史学家吕思勉在《三国史话》中分析：「……诸葛亮死后，蜀汉还有二十九年的命运。这二十九年之中，前十二年，总统国事的是蒋琬；中七年是费褘；后十年是姜维。蒋琬、费褘手里，都不甚出兵伐魏。姜维屡次想大举，费褘总裁制他，不肯多给他兵马。费褘死后，姜维做事才得放手些，然而亦无大功，而自己国里，反因此而有些疲弊。当时很有反对他的人。后来读史的人，亦有以蜀之亡归咎于姜维的用兵的，其实亦不尽然。」又云：「从魏齐王芳之立，至高贵乡公的被弑，其间共计二十一年，即系入三国后之第二十一年至第四十一年，正是魏国多事之秋，蜀汉若要北伐，其机会断在此间，而其机会又是愈早愈妙，因为愈早则魏国的政局愈不安定。然此中强半的时间，都在蒋琬、费褘秉政之日，到姜维掌握兵权，已经失之太晚了。所以把蜀国的灭亡，归咎到姜维，实在是冤枉的。倒是蒋琬、费褘，应当负较大的责任。」

• 曾任陈布雷秘书及台湾政治大学教授的蒋君章，钦敬姜维「明辨忠奸」、「移孝作忠」、「好学不倦」，从不灰心奋斗，「即在无可奈何中，他还是想办法达到光复社稷」，奋斗精神，值得佩服。

• 成海应：「孔明奇才也, 而六出无功. 孔明旣殁之后, 天时人事, 只当修好吴魏, 以安边民, 静以待天而已. 姜维乃九伐中原, 其心何曾以汉贼不两立之义, 矢复高光旧物哉. 只是负才自矜, 侥幸希觊, 要多于前人者也. 孔明之六出, 行之以所当为, 便有生道杀人之义, 故国犹不瘁. 维之九伐, 期必于万一之幸, 驱民以自逞, 数千里罢氓, 何以堪命哉. 凡人臣以此心从事者, 无守节死义之心, 维之降固其所也. 说者或以为维欲有为而降, 不知之论也.」（󰡔存斋集󰡕 卷14, 杂著, 格物说）

后人

《三国志》中记载，姜维谋复蜀汉事败，「魏将士愤发，杀会及维，维妻子皆伏诛」。但据《新唐书·宰相世系表》中记载，姜维仍有后代留存，世代居于上邽，可能是姜维归汉以前留下来的子嗣。

• 姜明，姜维裔孙。北魏时官员，兖州刺史、天水郡公。

　• 姜远，姜明子。北周时官员，荆秦二州刺史、朝邑县公。

　　• 姜宝谊，姜远子。唐高祖时将领，右武卫大将军、永安县公。与宋金刚作战被俘不屈死，追赠左卫大将军、幽州总管。

　　　• 姜恪，姜宝谊子。唐高宗时将领，侍中、永安郡公。因战功官至左相，与阎立本同时为相，人称「左相宣威沙漠，右相驰誉丹青」。

　　　• 姜协，姜宝谊子。唐时官员，燕然都护、夏州都督、成纪县侯。善篆籀。

　　　　• 姜琇，姜协子。唐时官员，夏州都督府法曹。

　　　　　• 姜昂，姜琇子。唐时官员，朝议大夫前、行尚书司勋郎中、上柱国。

　　　　　　• 姜还，姜昂孙。唐时官员，虔州刺史、将作少监。

艺术形象

动漫游戏

• 三国杀

• 《三国演义》

• 真三国无双系列 / 无双OROCHI系列（光荣公司开发，菅沼久义配音）

影视

• 1985年--亚洲电视（ATV）《诸葛亮》：何玉海

• 1985年--香港亚洲电视电视剧《诸葛亮》：李嘉豪、杨得时

• 1994年--中国中央电视台电视剧集《三国演义》：张天舒、樊志起

• 1996年--电影《诸葛孔明》：王晓东

• 2006年--电视剧《神鬼八阵图》：王全有

• 2010年--中国电视剧《三国》：叶鹏

• 2017年--中国电视剧《大军师司马懿之军师联盟》：白海涛