Early life

Fu Jian was born in 337, when the family name was still Pu (蒲), to Fu Xiong (苻雄) and his wife Lady Gou. His grandfather Pu Hong (蒲洪) was a Di chieftain and a major general for Later Zhao, serving under the violent emperor Shi Hu, who did however accord Pu great respect. Later, during Later Zhao's collapse, Pu Hong changed his name to Fu Hong, and planned a conquest of the Guanzhong region, but was poisoned by the general Ma Qiu. He was succeeded by his son, Fu Jian's uncle Fu Jian (317–355) (苻健), who advanced west to conquer the Guanzhong region and the surrounding provinces, and established Former Qin in 351. In this, he was ably assisted by Fu Jian's father Fu Xiong, whom he created the Prince of Donghai. In 354, while on a campaign, Fu Xiong died. As the son of Fu Xiong's wife, Fu Jian inherited the title of Prince of Donghai, even though he had at least one older brother, Fu Fa (苻法), who was created the Prince of Qinghe. Fu Jian developed the reputation of being filial and far-sighted, as well as being knowledgeable and able.

As Fu Jian grew older, he received some military responsibilities under his cousin Fu Sheng, who succeeded Former Qin's founding emperor after his death in 355. In 357, when Yao Xiang (姚襄), a major Qiang chief, attacked Former Qin, hoping to conquer it, Fu Jian was one of the generals who fought him and defeated him, capturing and executing him on the battlefield. Yao Xiang's brother Yao Chang surrendered. Initially, the lead general Fu Huangmei the Prince of Guangping wanted to put Yao Chang to death, but Fu Jian interceded, and Yao Chang was spared.

Fu Sheng's reign was one filled with violence, caprice, and cruelty. As he killed official after official in his administration, all of the nobles and officials became fearful of being the next target. A number of officials tried to persuade Fu Jian to overthrow Fu Sheng, and it was in the planning stages that Fu Jian, under the introduction of the official Lü Polou, met Wang Meng, with whom he immediately developed a friendship. Fu Jian planned to act against Fu Sheng but hesitated, since Fu Sheng was a powerful warrior. However, after news leaked that Fu Sheng had planned to kill Fu Jian and his brother Fu Fa, Fu Jian and Fu Fa took immediate action and attacked the palace while Fu Sheng was in a drunken stupor. Fu Sheng's guards surrendered without a fight, and Fu Jian put Fu Sheng to death and took over the throne. He did not, however, take imperial title as Fu Sheng had, but claimed the title "Heavenly King" (Tian Wang). He posthumously honored his father Fu Xiong as an emperor, and he honored his mother Lady Gou as an empress dowager. His wife Lady Gou was created empress.

Reign with the assistance of Wang Meng

At the start of Fu Jian's reign, in addition to Wang Meng, he had several other top advisors—his brothers Fu Fa and Fu Rong the Duke of Yangping, his son Fu Pi the Duke of Changle, and his mother Empress Dowager Gou's lover Li Wei (李威). It was with Li's support that Wang's position became increasingly important, eventually becoming one of prime minister status. This was particularly the case when, around new year 358, Empress Dowager Gou, apprehensive of Fu Fa's growing authority, forced him to commit suicide. Senior officials, mostly of Di ethnicity, were often jealous of Wang, but whatever conflict they engaged with Wang always resulted in Wang's prevailing over them, since Wang was favored by Fu Jian. Wang, with Fu Jian's support, established rule of law throughout the empire, and he even executed the founding emperor's honored but corrupt brother-in-law, Qiang De (强德), despite Fu Jian's desire to pardon Qiang. It was described that the empire was ruled efficiently and justly during this period. Fu Jian was also recorded as having the cruel laws of Fu Sheng's reign and the extravagance. He also encouraged his officials to recommend talented people for posts, and rewarded or punished them based on whether the people they recommended performed their jobs well. It was described that Former Qin officials were therefore all highly competent and responsible.

In 364, Fu Jian conferred titles on Zhang Tianxi, the nominal Jin vassal who was the ruler of Former Liang, making him a Former Qin vassal as well. In late 365, however, Zhang Tianxi disavowed that status and cut off relations with Former Qin.

Later in 364, Fu Sheng's brother Fu Teng the Duke of Ru'nan rebelled, but was captured and executed. Wang, concerned about four other brothers of Fu Sheng (Fu You (苻幼) the Duke of Huai'nan, Fu Liu (苻柳) the Duke of Jin, Fu Sou (苻廋) the Duke of Wei, and Fu Wu (苻武) the Duke of Yan), suggested to Fu Jian to have all of them killed. Fu Jian refused.

Late in 364, Fu Jian tried to restore the early Jin system by permitting the dukes—his brothers, sons, and cousins—to commission their own assistants. However, he cancelled the plans when some of the dukes retained rich merchants to serve as their assistants purely on account of their wealth.

In 365, after the Former Yan regent Murong Ke captured the important Jin city of Luoyang, he postured as if about to attack Former Qin. Fu Jian personally readied his troops to face Murong Ke, but no attack from Murong Ke actually occurred.

Late in 365, Xiongnu chiefs Cao Gu (曹毂) and Liu Weichen rebelled together, and Fu Jian personally attacked them, capturing Liu and forcing Cao's surrender—but, in the first instance of such actions that would lead to disaster decades later, allowed Cao and Liu to continue to command their troops. Later that year, Fu You rebelled but was killed in battle by Li, who had stayed at the capital Chang'an with Fu Jian's crown prince Fu Hong (苻宏, note different character than Fu Jian's grandfather).

In 367, after Murong Ke's death and replacement by the far less capable Murong Ping, Fu Jian began plans to conquer Former Yan. He would soon, however, have to contend with the possibility that his empire would be the one so conquered, as in winter of that year, Fu Liu (at Puban (蒲阪, in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi)), Fu Sou (at Shancheng (陕城), in modern Sanmenxia, Henan)), Fu Wu (at Anding (安定, in modern Pingliang, Gansu)), and Fu Jian's brother Fu Shuang (苻双) the Duke of Zhao (at Shanggui (上邽, in modern Tianshui, Gansu)), rebelled together, offering to submit to Former Yan and seeking Former Yan aid. However, Murong Ping refused assistance. Fu Jian sent forces to attack the four rebellious dukes separately. Fu Wu and Fu Shuang were quickly defeated and killed, followed by Fu Liu and Fu Sou.

In 369, the paramount Jin general Huan Wen launched a major attack against Former Yan, reaching Fangtou (枋头, in modern Hebi, Henan), in the vicinity of Former Yan's capital Yecheng. In panic, Former Yan sought assistance from Former Qin, promising that if Former Qin launched troops to assist, it would cede the Luoyang region to Former Qin. Most Former Qin officials opposed, but Wang advised Fu Jian that he had to make sure that Huan would not conquer Former Yan—because Former Qin would not be able to stand up to Jin if Jin destroyed Former Yan. Fu Jian thus launched troops, which arrived after Former Yan's general Murong Chui had already dealt Huan one defeat, but the Former Qin forces, in conjunction with Former Yan, did deal Huan another major defeat. However, Former Yan reneged on its promise to cede the Luoyang region, and Fu Jian put Wang in charge of a 60,000-men force against Former Yan. Wang's campaign seemed even more promising after Murong Chui, fearful of Murong Ping's jealousy and the emperor Murong Wei's mother Empress Dowager Kezuhun's hatred toward him, defected to Former Qin.

In spring 370, Wang first advanced on Luoyang and forced its surrender. He then advanced on Hu Pass (壶关, in modern Changzhi, Shanxi), defeating all Former Yan resistance on the way. He then captured Jinyang (晋阳, in modern Taiyuan, Shanxi). Murong Ping led a 300,000-men strong force against Wang, but apprehensive of Wang, he stopped at Lu River (潞川, in modern Changzhi as well). Wang soon arrived to prepare to face off against him. Meanwhile, Murong Ping made the worst display of his corruption at this time—keeping guards at forests and streams, disallowing commoners and even his own soldiers from cutting firewood or fishing unless they paid a usage fee in either money or silk. He soon had a stash of wealth, but completely lost the morale of his soldiers. Murong Wei, hearing this, sent a messenger to rebuke him and ordering him to distribute the wealth to the soldiers, but the damage was done. In winter 370, the armies engaged, and despite the numerical advantage that Murong Ping had, Wang crushed him, and Murong Ping fled back to Yecheng by himself. Murong Wei abandoned Yecheng and tried to flee to the old capital Helong (和龙, in modern Jinzhou, Liaoning), but was captured on the way. Fu Jian pardoned him but had him formally surrender with his officials, ending Former Yan.

Initially, Fu Jian put Wang Meng in charge of all of the conquered Former Yan territory, as viceroy. He relocated Murong Wei and his clan, as well as a large number of his Xianbei people, to the Guanzhong region, in the heart of Former Qin. In 372, he summoned Wang back to the capital to resume his post as prime minister, while putting Fu Rong in charge of the eastern empire. Wang's authority was described to be so great that Fu Jian himself had little need to worry about the affairs of state.

Fu Jian continued to carry out campaigns that were intended to eventually unite all of China. In 373, he launched a campaign against Jin's western region, conquering modern Sichuan, Chongqing, and southern Shaanxi. Meanwhile, many Former Qin officials, including Wang, became concerned about the large number of Xianbei people that he placed in the heart of the empire and how many Xianbei officials, including those of Former Yan's imperial Murong clan, he put in charge of important posts, and they largely urged him to reduce the authority of Xianbei officials. He refused. In 375, Wang became gravely ill, and he, on his death bed, suggested to Fu Jian to stop the campaigns against Jin while not trusting the Xianbei and Qiang officials as much as he has done. After Wang died, however, Fu Jian did not agree with his last words and continued to bestow authority on the Xianbei and Qiang officials.

After Wang Mengs death

After Wang Meng's death, Fu Jian continued to carry out his campaigns to try to unite the empire. These campaigns, while largely successful, were, according to historical resources, draining on the resources of the empire and of the people, and wore out his troops. Further, Fu Jian, who was known for thrifty living in his early years, began to spend somewhat extravagantly on palace designs. Further, one of Wang's focus areas—to keep the governmental officials honest and competent—appeared to have been ignored, as one began to see false governmental reports in historical records. For example, in 382, Former Qin suffered a major locust infestation that required a failed extermination effort throughout You (幽州, modern Beijing, Tianjin, and northern Hebei), Qing (青州, modern central and eastern Shandong), Ji (冀州, modern central Hebei), and Bing (并州, modern Shanxi) Provinces—and yet the governmental records paradoxically recorded that these provinces, except You Province, received large yields on their crop fields, and that the locusts did not infest the hemp and bean plants, a fairly impossible scenario. This suggested that government officials were no longer reporting statuses of their provinces honestly but were only making reports that pleased Fu Jian and the high level officials. This might be because Fu Jian, after Wang's death, felt that he had to personally oversee everything, and was burdening himself with too many tasks, as evidenced in an edict that he issued in 376 indicating that his workload was burdening him so much that half of his hair turned white.

In fall 376, Fu Jian launched a major attack against Former Liang, after its ruler Zhang Tianxi refused to show submission by visiting the Former Qin capital Chang'an and further killed Fu Jian's messengers. Zhang's generals, who were displeased with the young favorites that he had installed in the regime, either surrendered or were defeated easily, and in less than a month, Zhang was forced to surrender, and Former Liang's territory (modern central and western Gansu, northern Qinghai, and eastern Xinjiang) were annexed to Former Qin. Just two months later, Fu Jian launched another major campaign against Dai and, in light of the recent assassination of its prince Tuoba Shiyijian by his son Tuoba Shijun (拓拔寔君), conquered it as well, although he permitted Tuoba Shiyijian's grandson Tuoba Gui to remain under the care of tribal chief Liu Kuren and be the eventual heir presumptive to the Dai throne.

In 378, Fu Jian sent Fu Pi, Murong Wei, and Gou Chang (苟苌) to attack the important Jin border city of Xiangyang (襄阳, in modern Xiangfan, Hubei). At Gou's suggestion, Fu Pi ordered that Xiangyang be surrounded to force it into submission at minimal losses, but Fu Jian, unhappy at his son's slow pace in capturing the city, ordered Fu Pi to either capture the city by spring 379 or commit suicide. Fu Pi therefore launched a major assault on the city, capturing it in spring 379. Weixing (魏兴, in modern Ankang, Shaanxi) also fell. At the same time, however, another army sent by Fu Jian, commanded by Peng Chao (彭超), after capturing Pengcheng (彭城, in modern Xuzhou, Jiangsu), was defeated by the Jin general Xie Xuan and forced to abandon Pengcheng.

In 380, Fu Jian's cousin Fu Luo (苻洛) the Duke of Xingtang, who felt slighted by not being sufficiently rewarded for his victories against Dai in 376 and believed that Fu Jian had worn out his troops, rebelled. He was, however, crushed by the general Lü Guang and captured, but Fu Jian did not kill him but only exiled him. (This was heavily criticized by historians, who believed that Fu Jian, by not executing Fu Luo and several others in similar situations, encouraged future rebellions that eventually brought down his empire.)

Also in 380, Fu Jian carried out a historically controversial decision to distribute his Di people—a small minority in his empire—to various regions of the empire, under the command of his sons and other generals. He probably intended to have them serve as a stabilizing force throughout the empire, but the short-term result was that the heart of the empire, Guanzhong, was left with few Di and filled with Xianbei and Qiang, which would eventually cause a destabilizing effect. He also summoned his brother Fu Rong back to the capital and take over posts previously held by Wang Meng. Fu Pi replaced Fu Rong in his responsibilities as viceroy over the eastern empire.

In late 382, Fu Jian again planned to conquer Jin. Most of the important officials opposed—including the prime minister Fu Rong. However, the campaign was supported by Murong Chui and Yao Chang, and Fu Jian became intent to carrying it out, and when an official raised the point that the Yangtze River was difficult to cross, he made the remarks, "We have so many soldiers that, if they threw down their whips, it would be enough to stop the flow of the Yangtze."

In 383, Fu Jian sent Lü on a campaign to Xiyu (西域, modern Xinjiang and former Soviet central Asia), where some of the kingdoms had submitted to Former Qin as vassals but some had not. Lü's campaign would last several years and be quite successful—but by the time it was complete, Fu Jian would be dead and Former Qin would be near destruction.

Battle of Fei River

In 383, Fu Jian launched the campaign, under Fu Rong's command, despite Fu Rong's opposition. After initial victories, capturing the Jin city of Shouyang (寿阳, in modern Lu'an, Anhui), the Former Qin advance troops would suffer some losses at the hands of Xie Xuan and Liu Laozhi, and the armies would be stalemated at the Fei River (which no longer exists, but likely flowed through modern Lu'an, near the Huai River), with the Former Qin forces to the west of the river and the Jin forces to the east. Xie Xuan suggested to Fu Rong that he retreat west to allow Jin forces to cross, and Fu Jian and Fu Rong agreed, but as the retreat started, the Former Qin forces panicked and could not be stopped. Fu Rong, trying to calm the troops, suddenly had his horse fall under him, and he was killed by Jin forces, which further led to a complete collapse of Former Qin forces. Fu Jian himself was hit by a stray arrow, and was forced to flee to Murong Chui, whose army was one of the few that did not collapse. Murong Chui's son Murong Bao and brother Murong De tried to persuade him to kill Fu Jian and reestablish Yan, but Murong Chui refused, escorting Fu Jian safely back to Luoyang.

After the Battle of Fei River

Murong Chui, while not willing to resort to murder due to Fu Jian's earlier kindness to him, did decide, however, to try to reestablish Yan. Under the pretense of wanting to calm the people of the eastern empire, he persuaded Fu Jian to allow him to lead an army northeast, despite opposition by Quan Yi. As Murong Chui arrived at Yecheng, he and Fu Pi suspected each other but each ruled out suggestions by their respective subordinates to ambush the other. As, at this time, the Dingling chief Zhai Bin (翟斌) rebelled against Former Qin, with assistance with Murong Chui's nephew Murong Feng (慕容凤), and attacked Luoyang, and Fu Pi sent Murong Chui south to relieve Luoyang, with the Di general Fu Feilong (苻飞龙) as his assistant. On the way to Luoyang, Murong Chui ambushed Fu Feilong and slaughtered his Di soldiers, but still wrote an explanation to Fu Jian. In spring 384, however, Murong Chui would join Zhai and claim the title Prince of Yan, establishing Later Yan. He soon captured many cities in the eastern empire, although Yecheng and Luoyang held out against him.

Meanwhile, Murong Chui's nephew and Murong Wei's brother Murong Hong, upon hearing news of Murong Chui's uprising, gathered some Xianbei soldiers and started his own rebellion within Guanzhong, claiming his old Former Yan title of Prince of Jibei and starting Western Yan. Fu Jian sent his brother Fu Rui (苻睿) the Duke of Julu, assisted by Yao Chang, against Murong Hong. Murong Hong, in fear, was about to leave Guanzhong, and Fu Rui was intent on cutting off his escape route, despite Yao's suggestion to let the Xianbei leave. Instead, Murong Hong, forced into combat, defeated and killed Fu Rui. When Yao sent messengers to the capital to report the defeat, Fu Jian, for reasons unknown, got so angry that he killed Yao's messengers—causing Yao to panic and flee with Qiang soldiers. Yao then declared himself "the Prince of Qin of Ten Thousand Years" (万年秦王), establishing Later Qin.

Meanwhile, Murong Hong advanced on Chang'an, and he was joined by another brother, Murong Chong. He demanded that Fu Jian escort Murong Wei to him, and Murong Wei, while pledging allegiance to Fu Jian, secretly send messengers to Murong Hong urging him to attack Chang'an, although Murong Hong was then murdered by his own generals and replaced with Murong Chong, who claimed the title of crown prince. Meanwhile, Fu Jian himself led an army against Yao, but was unsuccessful. Fu Jian's son Fu Hui (苻晖) the Duke of Pingyuan then abandoned Luoyang to come to Chang'an's aid, and all of the eastern empire was lost except for Yecheng. Meanwhile, Jin also launched campaigns, and would recapture the modern Chongqing, Sichuan, and southern Shaanxi region by early 385, as well as capturing much of the Former Qin territory south of the Yellow River, although Jin forces under Xie Xuan would at times be in temporary alliance with Fu Pi against Later Yan as well.

In late 384, Murong Wei tried to kill Fu Jian at a feast, and after this was discovered, Fu Jian put him and the other Xianbei inside Chang'an to death. Murong Chong, upon hearing this news, declared himself emperor in early 385. He would continue to deal Fu Hui defeats, and Fu Hui, in anger over the defeats and Fu Jian's rebukes in light of the defeats, committed suicide. With Murong Chong surrounding Chang'an, Chang'an fell into a terrible famine. Fu Jian decided that he would lead an army out of the city to try to capture food supplies, and he left his crown prince Fu Hong in charge of the city, but as soon as he left, the city fell, and Fu Hong fled to Jin.

Meanwhile, Fu Jian himself took his army to Wujiang Mountain (五将山, in modern Baoji, Shaanxi), but was surrounded and captured by Later Qin forces and taken to Xinping (新平, in modern Xianyang, Shaanxi) and imprisoned there with his concubine Consort Zhang, his son Fu Shen (苻诜) the Duke of Zhongshan, and his daughter Fu Bao (苻宝) and Fu Jin (苻锦). Yao Chang tried to persuade him to ceremonially pass the throne to him, but Fu Jian, angry at Yao's betrayal, refused. He also killed Fu Bao and Fu Jin, reasoning that he did not want to let Yao's followers humiliate them. In fall 385, Yao sent his soldiers to strangle Fu Jian. Consort Zhang and Fu Shen committed suicide. Even Later Qin soldiers mourned Fu Jian, however, and Yao, in order to pretend as if he did not put Fu Jian to death, posthumously honored him as Heavenly King Zhuanglie (壮烈天王), although that posthumous name would not be adopted by Fu Pi, who took the imperial throne upon hearing Fu Jian's death.

Era names

• Yongxing (永兴 yǒng xīng) 357–359

• Ganlu (甘露 gān lù) 359–364

• Jianyuan (建元 jiàn yuán) 365–385

Personal information

• Father

　• Fu Xiong (苻雄), Prince Jingwu of Donghai and brother of Fu Jian (317–355), posthumously honored as Emperor Wenhuan

• Mother

　• Empress Dowager Gou

• Wife

　• Empress Gou (created 357)

• Major Concubines

　• Consort Zhang

　• Consort Murong, daughter of Murong Jun

• Children

　• Fu Hong (苻宏), the Crown Prince (created 357)

　• Fu Pi (苻丕), the Duke of Changle (created 357), later emperor

　• Fu Hui (苻晖), Duke Dao of Pingyuan (created 357, committed suicide 385)

　• Fu Rui (苻睿), Duke of Julu (killed by Murong Hong of Western Yan 384)

　• Fu Xi (苻熙), the Duke of Guangping (created 357)

　• Fu Lin (苻琳), the Duke of Hejian (killed by Western Yan forces 384)

　• Fu Shen (苻诜), the Duke of Zhongshan (committed suicide 385)

　• Fu Bao (苻宝), Princess (executed 385)

　• Fu Jin (苻锦), Princess (executed 385)

　• Princess Shunyang, wife of Yang Bi

　• A daughter, wife of Yang Ding, later leader of Chouchi

生平

祖父宠孙

苻坚的母亲曾梦见受到神灵宠幸而怀孕，足足怀了十二个月才生下苻坚，苻坚生于正月初二日，年仅七岁就已显现其聪敏善良的特质，且举止都循规蹈矩。又因妥贴地侍奉祖父苻洪，不需询问就能猜到祖父的想要取甚么，并及时为祖父拿来，故此深得苻洪疼爱。八岁时，苻坚就请求苻洪请老师到家教他学习，苻洪见他热心求学十分高兴，欣然同意。

文武贤才

皇始四年（354年），苻雄去世，苻坚承袭父爵东海王。另苻坚亦获授龙骧将军，苻健更以苻洪曾经在后赵获授此号勉励苻坚， 苻坚当时亦「挥剑捶马」，被苻健的话所感动和激励，士卒见此，亦心服苻坚。苻坚当时亦博学多才艺，更有经略大志，广交豪杰，结交了吕婆楼、强汪、梁平老及王猛等人，都成为其左右手。

政变登位

寿光三年（357年），姚襄谋图关中，并联结前秦境内的羌人，苻坚与苻黄眉、邓羌等人率兵抵抗，终在邓羌成功诱使姚襄出击而由苻黄眉率主力将姚襄击败，并擒杀姚襄，逼令姚襄弟姚苌率其部众归降前秦。然而，当时前秦皇帝苻生赏罚失当，凶残好杀，苻黄眉因立大功后未受褒赏，反受侮辱而谋反。虽然最终苻黄眉谋反失败，但苻坚当时很有声誉，姚襄旧将薛赞和权翼亦欣赏苻坚的才能，并劝苻坚学汤武伐昏君夺帝位 ；梁平老等人亦劝苻坚谋反。同年，苻坚与其兄苻法得知苻生有意加害，于是先发制人，入宫罢黜苻生，不久更杀死苻生。苻坚将帝位让给苻法，但苻法自以庶出不敢受。苻坚在群臣的劝进下即位，并降号天王，称大秦天王。即位后苻坚先诛除苻生宠信的董荣等人，随后擢用李威、吕婆楼、王猛、权翼、薛赞等人。又追复被苻生所诛杀的八个顾命大臣的官位，随才选用其子孙为官。

大行新政

苻坚即位后，亦修整一些名实不符的官职，恢复已绝的宗祀，上礼神祇，鼓励农业，设立学校，扶持鳏寡孤独和年老无依者。另亦褒扬称颂一些有特殊才行、孝友忠义、有德业的人。后苻坚下令各地方官员都上举孝悌、廉直、文学、政事四项才德的人才，若真的是人才就得赏赐，否则就被降罪；另苻坚亦不优待宗室，即使是宗室中人，若无才干都会被弃用，于是当时国内官员都十分称职。而通过开垦耕地，令前秦仓库充实，人民温饱而令盗贼也少了。

苻坚亦下令与民休息，在即位次年（358年）讨平于并州叛变的张平后就下令偃甲息兵，直至365年出兵平定刘衞辰及曹毂的叛乱前都没有大型的军事行动。苻坚又应当时秋旱而下令减省膳食和暂停奏乐，将金玉锦绣等贵重物品散发给军士，并命后宫省俭服饰。苻坚更开发山泽，且得出的资源不限于官府，连平民也可用。

至甘露六年（364年），苻坚下令各公国自置中尉、大农及其他官属，然而众人却以当时富商赵掇、丁妃等人车服盛如王侯，纷纷延揽这些富商为二卿。苻坚于是下令延揽富商为卿者降爵位到侯爵，并下令没爵位或官职的人都不能在都城百里以内乘车马；工商、奴隶及妇人亦不得穿戴金银锦绣，违者处死。

重用王猛

另一方面，苻坚重用汉人王猛，机要之事王猛几乎无不知道，这令一众氐族豪族及元勋十分不满。其中特进樊世自恃是氐族豪族，且有大功勋，当众直斥王猛窃取为前秦立下赫赫功勋的功臣之成果。苻坚知道后，决意杀樊世以威慑所有氐族豪族。樊世死后，各氐人都争相批评王猛，苻坚更为王猛而谩骂和鞭挞大臣，终令氐人都畏惧王猛，压制了氐族豪强对王猛新政的反抗力量。而王猛于359年捕杀酗酒横行，掠货掳人的强太后弟强德，苻坚想下令赦免亦赶不及，后来不但没有问罪王猛，更让王猛在数十日内处罚了二十多个权豪贵戚，其严正执法亦为苻坚所允许、认同。

五公之乱

甘露六年（364年），汝南公苻腾谋反被杀，当时王猛以苻生诸弟尚有五人，建议苻坚除去五人，否则终会为患，然而苻坚不听。至次年，因著刘衞辰及曹毂的叛乱，苻坚亲自率军出征平定，并北巡朔方以抚诸胡。时为征北将军的苻幼趁机领兵进攻当时由太子苻宏、王猛及李威留守的首都长安，只因李威领兵击斩苻幼而平定乱事。

苻幼起事时其实还暗中联结了征东大将军、并州牧、晋公苻柳以及征西大将军、秦州刺史、赵公苻双，但苻坚以二人分别为伯父苻健爱子及同母弟弟而不问罪，亦不将此事公布。然而，二人却与时为镇东将军、洛州刺史的魏公苻廋及安西将军、雍州刺史的燕公苻武共谋作乱。苻坚得知，于是召众人到长安，但四人就在建元三年（367年）十月各据州治起兵反叛，苻坚试图劝其罢兵，答应一切如故，不作追究，并以啮棃 为信物，但四人都没有任何动摇。次年正月，苻坚正式派军镇压叛乱，派杨成世、毛嵩、邓羌、王猛、张蚝等人分途出兵，分别进攻四地。但当时杨成世及毛嵩都分别败于苻双和苻武的叛军，逼使苻坚再将王鉴、吕光等人率兵再攻。最终王鉴、吕光及王猛等先后击败并斩杀四公，才令乱事成功于当年平定。而在苻坚进攻苻廋时，苻廋主动献州治陕城（今河南陕县）归降前燕，并请兵接应。此举震动前秦，更逼使苻坚派大军至华阴（今陕西华阴）防备，只因前燕太傅慕容评拒绝迎降，才避免了更大的危机。

消灭前燕

建元五年（369年），前燕吴王慕容垂在击退东晋桓温的北伐军后因受到慕容评排挤，于是出奔降秦。苻坚早于两年前知道慕容恪去世的消息时就已经有吞并前燕的计划，还特地派了使者出使前燕以探虚实，然而苻坚因为慕容垂的威名而不敢出兵。现在慕容垂自来，苻坚十分高兴，并亲自出郊迎接，对其极为礼待，更以其为冠军将军，不顾王猛要他提防慕容垂的谏言。

同年十二月，苻坚以前燕违背当日请兵的诺言，不割让虎牢（今河南荥阳汜水县西北）以西土地予前秦为藉口出兵前燕，以王猛、梁成和邓羌率军，进攻洛阳（今河南洛阳市），并于次年年初攻下。六月，苻坚再命王猛等出兵前燕，自己更亲自送行。王猛终在潞川击溃率领三十多万 大军的前燕太傅慕容评，并乘胜直取前燕首都邺城（今河北临漳县西南），苻坚更在王猛围攻邺城时亲自率军前往邺城助战。拿下邺城后，正出奔辽东的前燕皇帝慕容暐被前秦追兵生擒，前燕在辽东的残馀反抗力量亦遭消灭，前秦正式吞并前燕。

另一方面，369年，东晋将领袁真在桓温北伐失败后因被桓温委以战争失利的罪责，愤而据寿春（今安徽寿县）叛变，联结前燕及前秦。 袁真不久去世，但其子袁瑾仍然坚守寿春，并在前燕亡后继续向苻坚求救。苻坚于是于371年派王鉴及张蚝救援，但围城的桓温派将领桓伊等击败王鉴等，逼其退屯慎城（今安徽颖上县），不久寿春被晋军攻陷。

出兵西扩

在前秦吞并前燕，收抚前燕领土的同一年，名义上臣服于前秦的仇池公杨世死，其子杨纂袭位后只受东晋朝命，断绝与前秦的臣属关系，苻坚遂在次年（371年）派兵进攻仇池。当时杨纂叔父杨统正与杨纂兵戎相见，东晋梁州刺史杨亮知道前秦进攻后亦派了郭宝等领兵协助杨纂，然而最终杨纂军大败，在仇池兵临城下及杨统率众降秦之下，杨纂只得出降。此后前秦命参与进攻仇池的将领杨安镇守仇池。前仇池至此灭亡。当时苻坚有意在河西树立威信，以德怀民，于是尽释早前俘获的前凉将领阴据及其所统五千兵士，前凉君主张天锡在佑道前仇池被前秦攻灭后甚为畏惧，至此就被逼向前秦称藩。吐谷浑君主碎奚亦因前仇池灭亡而遗使向前秦进贡，苻坚亦授予其官职爵位。另外，苻坚又出兵攻伐陇西鲜卑首领乞伏司繁，尽降其众，苻坚留乞伏司繁在长安，只由其堂叔乞伏吐雷统众。

建元九年（373年），东晋梁州刺史杨亮派其子杨广进攻仇池。但杨广败于仇池守将杨安，原先驻守沮水防备前秦的各军戍更因而弃守溃逃，逼使杨亮退守磬险。而杨安亦趁机进攻东晋，进攻汉川。不久，苻坚更命益州刺史王统领攻汉川，毛当等攻剑门（今四川剑阁东北），大举进攻东晋梁、益二州。杨亮在青谷率巴獠抵抗但失败，只得退保西城（今陕西安康西北），结果汉中（今陕西汉中）、剑阁（今四川剑阁）、梓潼（今四川梓潼县）等地先后失陷。东晋益州刺史周仲孙在绵竹（今四川绵竹县）要抵抗来侵的朱肜部时，另一边的毛当已经快攻到益州治所成都（今四川成都），周仲孙唯有逃到南中，于是前秦攻下了益、梁二州。

次年，益州发生叛乱，蜀人张育、杨光起兵反抗前秦，并向东晋称藩，而巴獠酋帅张重、尹万等亦参与，苻坚于是命邓羌入蜀镇压；同一时间，东晋益州刺史竺瑶及威远将军桓石虔则受命入蜀，进攻垫江（今重庆垫江县）。当时张育等人围攻成都，但期间他们内讧争权，终被邓羌等人击败，叛乱被平定。竺瑶和桓石虔虽于垫江击败宁州刺史姚苌，但不能扩大战事，只得退还巴东，前秦始终固守了蜀地。

建元十二年（376年），苻坚以张天锡「虽称藩受位，然臣道未纯」为由出兵十三万进攻前凉。当时苻坚亦派阎负和梁殊出使前凉，徵召张天锡到长安，然而张天锡不愿投降，决意与前秦决一死战，下令斩杀二人，并派马建抵抗前秦。随著前秦军西渡黄河，攻下缠缩城（今甘肃永登县南），张天锡更派掌据到洪池（今甘肃天祝县西北乌鞘岭）协同马建作战，自己更亲自率兵到金昌助战。然而，前秦军进攻二人时，马建竟向前秦投降而掌据战死，张天锡惊惧而退还都城姑臧（今甘肃武威）。前秦军接著直攻姑臧，张天锡被逼出降，前凉至此灭亡。

统一北方

随著先后攻灭前燕、前仇池和前凉三个割据政权，北方唯一的割据政权就是拓跋氏建立的代国。在灭前凉的同一年，苻坚以应刘衞辰求救为由，命幽州刺史苻洛率兵十万，另派邓羌等率兵二十万，一起北征代国。当时代王拓跋什翼犍先后命白部、独狐部及南部大人刘库仁抵御，但都失败，而什翼犍因病而不能率兵，被逼北走阴山，但高车部族此时却叛变，什翼犍只得回到漠南，并看准前秦军稍退，于是返回云中郡盛乐（今内蒙古和林格尔北）的都城。此时，拓跋斤挑拨什翼犍子拓跋寔君，令其起兵杀死父亲及其他弟弟；前秦军闻讯亦立刻出兵云中，代国于是崩溃，为前秦所灭。

苻坚随后杀死拓跋斤及拓跋寔君，拓跋窟咄被强迁至长安，而什翼犍诸子亦被杀，什翼犍孙拓跋圭尚幼，再无于当地有效控制代国统下诸部的人。苻坚因而听从燕凤的话，分别以刘库仁及刘衞辰分统代国诸部，借两人之间的矛盾互相制衡。至此，前秦成功统一北方，只剩下据有江南地区的东晋。

南逼东晋

建元十四年（378年），苻坚派苻丕等人进攻襄阳（今湖北襄阳市），另分一路由慕容垂、姚苌率领的军队经武当，配合苻丕进攻襄阳。数月后，兖州刺史彭超请求进攻彭城（今江苏徐州市），并上言请派重将出兵淮南，与进攻襄阳的苻丕配合，形成东西并进之势，最终消灭东晋。苻坚同意并派了俱难、毛盛等人进攻淮阴（今江苏淮阴）、盱眙（今江苏盱眙县东北），由彭超都督东讨诸军事。

进攻襄阳的军队因著守将朱序坚守以及苟苌意图孤立襄阳而逼其自降的战略，一直与晋军相持至年末。此事令苻丕等遭到弹劾，苻坚亦下令要求苻丕最迟在明年春季就要取胜。苻丕于是转而急攻，终于在次年正月攻下襄阳。另一方面，晋兖州刺史谢玄于建元十五年（379年）奉命救援彭城，最终虽然护送城内的晋军和沛郡太守戴逯离开，但彭城仍被前秦攻下，及后秦军亦先后攻下盱眙和淮阴，并在三阿（今江苏宝应）围困晋幽州刺史田洛，威胁东晋江北重镇广陵（今江苏扬州市）。此时，晋军发动反击，成功击败围攻三阿的俱难、彭超等，逼他们退屯盱眙；次月二人再失盱眙，退保淮阴，但晋军水军当时乘潮北上，焚毁秦军建在淮河上的桥，并击败俱难等，逼其退还淮北。而面对谢玄等的追击，二人终在君川（今江苏盱眙县北）大败给晋军。面对东线的大败，苻坚大怒并收捕彭超，吓得彭超自杀，又将俱难贬为庶民。

宗室内争

就在建元十四年（378年）东西二线南攻东晋之时，镇守洛阳的北海公苻重谋反，不过很快就因苻重长史吕光忠于苻坚而被平定，苻重获赦而返回府第。至建元十六年（380年），苻坚却再度命苻重为镇北大将军，驻镇蓟（今北京）。同年，苻坚亦命行唐公苻洛为征南大将军，镇守成都，并命其由襄阳循汉水西上上任。但其实苻洛在立下灭亡代国的大功后因为没有获苻坚封为将相重臣，反倒仍以其作为边境州牧深感不满，更怀疑命他到襄阳其实是苻坚杀他的阴谋，于是决定叛变。当时虽然只有苻重支持苻洛，但苻洛仍自和龙（今辽宁锦州）率兵七万直指长安。关中人民恐惧战乱，人心骚动，盗贼兴起，苻坚试图劝降，于是以永封幽州请苻洛罢兵。然而苻洛拒绝，并声言要「还王咸阳，以承高祖之业」，更反说若苻坚在潼关候驾，他会以他为上公，还爵东海。苻坚于是大怒，出兵讨伐，并在中山与苻重及苻洛的十万联军会战，终生擒苻洛并斩杀苻重，平定乱事。

事后，苻坚认为关东地区地广人多，于是决定从原居于三原（今陕西三原县）、九嵕（今陕西乾县东北）、武都（今甘肃成县西）、汧（今陕西凤翔县南）、雍（今陕西凤翔县南）的氐族人中分出十五万户，由各宗室统领分布于各方镇，如古时诸侯一般。不过，被迁移居方镇的人们因为要与家人分别，都哀伤号哭，路人看见都感到伤心。

遗恨淝水

王猛于建元十一年（375年）去世，临死时说：「晋室现在虽然立于偏远的江南地区，但承继正统。现在国家最宝贵的就是亲近仁德之人以及与邻国友好。臣死以后，希望不要对东晋有所图谋。鲜卑、羌虏都是我们的仇敌，终会成为祸患，应该将他们除去，以利社稷。」 希望苻坚先解决国内鲜卑和羌族等其他少数民族对前秦政权的暗藏问题。不过，苻坚在统一北方后仍未听从王猛之言，著力解决国内民族问题。

苻坚从车师前部王弥填及鄯善国王休密驮等处听说西域有高僧鸠摩罗什，苻坚视为国宝，请求西域派罗什入秦遭到拒绝。建元十八年（382年），苻坚派吕光领七万大军征伐西域不服前秦要求的，并于次年正月出发。吕光征伐西域龟兹等国大获全胜，西域诸国归附前秦。鸠摩罗什也被吕光携带身边。中国境内只剩东晋一地不是前秦版图，苻坚急于统一中国，开始谋划出兵东晋。

建元十八年（382年），苻坚大会群臣，自以能得九十七万兵力，提出亲征东晋，统一全国的计划。当时秘书监朱肜表示支持，尚书左仆射权翼及太子左衞率石越却都以东晋君臣和睦，且当时为重臣的谢安及桓冲都是人才，皆予以反对。而当时群臣亦各有意见，未有共识。苻坚见此，就说：「像在道旁建房子去问意见，就因听太多不同的议论而一事无成，我心中自有决断。」群臣退下后，苻坚留下其弟苻融继续和他讨论，然而苻融亦以天象不利、晋室上下和睦以及兵疲将倦三点为由反对。苻坚因而大怒，苻融后哭著劝谏，并重提王猛死前的话也未能说动苻坚。后名僧释道安、太子苻宏、幼子中山公苻诜以至宠妃张夫人皆反对伐晋，苻融等人亦屡次上书表示反对，苻坚仍然不肯放弃出兵东晋的计划，可见苻坚当时其实下了决心。相反，慕容垂向苻坚表示支持出兵东晋，苻坚听后十分高兴，于是向慕容垂说：「与我平定天下的人，就只有你一个呀。」更赐其五百匹布帛。

建元十九年（383年）五月，东晋荆州刺史桓冲出兵襄阳、沔北及蜀地。桓冲于七月退军后，苻坚便下令大举出兵东晋，每十丁就遣一人为兵；二十岁以下的良家子但凡有武艺、骁勇、富有、有雄材都拜为羽林郎，最终召得三万多人。八月，苻坚命苻融率张蚝、梁成和慕容垂等以二十五万步骑兵作为前锋，自己则随后自长安发兵，率领六十馀万戎卒及二十七万骑兵的主力，大军旗鼓相望，前后千里。十月，苻融攻陷寿阳（今安徽寿县），并以梁成率五万兵驻守洛涧，阻止率领晋军主力的谢石和谢玄等人的进攻。当时正进攻晋将胡彬的苻融捕获胡彬的所派去联络谢石的使者，得知胡彬粮尽乏援的困境，于是派使者向正率大军在项城的苻坚联络：「晋军兵少易擒，但就怕他们会逃走，应该快快进攻他们。」苻坚于是留下大军，秘密自率八千轻骑直抵寿阳 。然而，晋将刘牢之及后率军进攻洛涧，击杀梁成，前秦军队溃败，谢石等于是率领大军水陆并进，与前秦军隔淝水对峙。苻坚和苻融此时从寿阳城观察晋军，见其军容整齐，连八公山上的草木都以为是晋军，于是说：「这也是劲敌，怎能说他们弱呀！」由此怅然失意并有惧色。苻坚及后答允晋军要他们稍为后撤，让晋军渡过淝水作战的要求，并认为能待晋军半渡、陷于河中之时出击，便能将其一举击溃。但当前秦大军开始后退时，先前于襄阳被擒投诚的降将朱序大叫「秦兵败矣」，秦军顿时军心大乱而溃散。苻融亲自骑马入阵中试图重整乱军，但反而堕马被踩死，晋军于是追击溃败的前秦军，令前秦军伤亡惨重，连苻坚本人亦中流矢受伤，单骑逃到淮北。

苻坚败退到淮北时十分饥饿，有平民送他饭菜，苻坚于是给予赏赐，然而该平民却拒绝，更称苻坚自取厄困，自己身为其子民即为其子，不图回报。苻坚因而大感惭愧。及后苻坚与慕容垂的三万军队会合，随后一直沿途收集逃散的败兵，到洛阳时聚集了十馀万人，百官、仪物和军容都大致齐备了。后苻坚返回长安，哭悼苻融并告罪宗庙后下令大赦，下令锻炼兵器并监督农务，抚顺孤老及阵亡士兵的家属，试图重建国家秩序。

国乱身死

陇西鲜卑的乞伏步颓在苻坚出兵东晋时乘机反叛，苻坚派乞伏步颓的侄儿、原降于前秦的乞伏司繁子乞伏国仁出兵讨伐，但二人却相结。淝水战败后，乞伏国仁于是裹胁陇西鲜卑诸部叛变，后建立起西秦。而苻坚在洛阳时，不顾权翼的反对，答允让慕容垂到河北地区安抚民众及拜谒慕容氏宗庙陵墓。然而慕容垂后来则乘被当时驻镇邺城的长乐公苻丕派往镇压丁零人翟斌叛乱的机会，联结丁零人叛秦，并于建元二十年（384年）反与丁零人围攻邺城，建立后燕。在围攻邺城的同年，慕容泓知道慕容垂的行动亦在关东收集部众自立，甚为强盛；慕容冲亦在平阳叛变，后投奔慕容泓，慕容泓于是建立西燕，并率众进攻长安。

为征讨大举叛变的慕容鲜卑，苻坚徵召钜鹿公苻睿，令其与窦冲及姚苌同讨慕容泓，但最终苻睿兵败战死，姚苌遣使谢罪却因苻坚杀其使者而逃到渭北牧马场，乘机煽动羌族豪帅共五万馀家归附，自称秦王，建立后秦。苻坚自率二万步骑讨伐后秦军，屡败后秦军，更逼得后秦军中缺水，更有人渴死，但此时天降大雨，后秦军队再起，随后更反败前秦军队。苻坚见慕容冲等已逼近长安，于是回军长安并组织抵抗，但所派的苻琳、姜宇都兵败，慕容冲成功占领阿房城（今陕西西安市西），长安遭围困。建元二十一年（385年），苻坚在长安宴请群臣，但当时长安已闹饥荒，发生人食人的事，诸将回家后都吐出宴中吃下的肉来喂饥饿的妻儿。随后前秦与西燕军互相攻伐，互有胜负，但在衞将军杨定被西燕所俘后，苻坚大惧，竟相信他曾经下令禁止的谶讳之言「帝出五将久长得」，留太子苻宏留守长安，自己率数百骑及张夫人、苻诜和苻宝、苻锦两名女儿一同出奔五将山。然而苻坚到五将山后，后秦将领吴忠就来围攻。苻坚虽见身边的前秦军都溃散，但亦神色自若，坐著安然等待吴忠。吴忠及后将苻坚送至新平幽禁。

姚苌及后向苻坚索要传国玉玺，苻坚张目喝道：「小小羌胡竟敢逼迫天子，五胡的历数次序，没有你这个羌人的名字。玉玺已送到晋朝那里，你得不到的了！」姚苌于是又派人提出苻坚禅让给他，苻坚亦说：「禅代，是圣贤的事，姚苌是叛贼，有甚么资格做这事！」苻坚自以平生都待姚苌不薄，甚至在淝水之战前将「龙骧将军」这个祖父曾受以及自己杀苻生夺位时有的将军号珍而重之地封予姚苌，现在姚苌反叛并逼迫他，于是屡次责骂姚苌以求死，并为免姚苌凌辱两名女儿，于是先杀苻宝和苻锦。八月辛丑日（10月16日），姚苌命人将苻坚绞死于新平佛寺（今彬县南静光寺）内，享年四十八岁。张夫人及苻诜亦跟著自杀。

姚苌为掩饰他杀死苻坚的事，故意諡苻坚为壮烈天王。而苻坚去世同年，苻丕得知其死讯，便即位为帝，諡苻坚为宣昭皇帝，上庙号世祖。征西域后回到凉州的吕光得知苻坚去世，亦諡其为文昭皇帝。

苻坚死后就地埋葬，当地人称「长角冢」。许多人民尊其为苻王爷奉祀之，谓能避免疫病、兵乱。根据《晋书》记载，姚苌被苻坚冤魂作祟，终至发狂，武士欲去救援，竟然打伤其阴部，大出血而死。苌死前还一直跪地叩首，请求苻坚原谅他。

为政措施

苻坚除了一系列减省奢侈品、鼓励农业、停止征战外，更建立学校，重视文教，尤其留心儒学。苻坚曾下令广收学官，重视经学，郡国弟子员只要通晓一经或以上就获授官，亦表彰有才德和努力营田之人，令人们都望得朝廷劝励，崇尚清廉正直，物资亦丰盛。苻坚更每月亲临太学考拔学生，消灭前燕后更在长安祭祀孔子。而王猛亦助苻坚整顺风俗，令全国学校渐兴。在苻坚治下的关陇地区丰盛安定，地区回复秩序，工商业兴盛，一片繁华景象。及至后来王猛去世后，苻坚仍然尊崇儒学，不但命太子、公侯和官员之子以及中外四禁 、二衞、四军长上 的将士都要受学，连带后宫亦设有典学，教宫内宦官及宫婢经学。另亦严厉禁止老庄以及图谶学说。后来西域大宛献马，苻坚效法西汉汉文帝送还进贡的千里马，更加命群臣作《止马诗》送到西域，以示没有取千里马的欲望。最终共有四百多人献诗。

苻坚亦重视生产，遇上天旱不但曾下令节俭及开山泽资源与民共享，亦督导百姓耕种，自己更亲身躬耕藉田，让苟皇后亲身养蚕，以示对农业的重视。后又徵集王侯以下及豪门富户的家僮奴仆共三万人开通泾水上流，引水灌溉解决关中水旱问题。

苻坚对于前秦这个多民族组成的国家其实没有作出民族融合的措施。如陇西鲜卑首领乞伏司繁投降后，只迁乞伏司繁到长安，仍留其部众在陇西地区；前燕鲜卑族人除了慕容氏皇族及部分关东豪族被迁至关中地区外，尚有大部分留在前燕故地，另亦迁原居中山的丁零族人到新安（今河南新安县）；消灭代国后，苻坚虽然由北方匈奴人代领代国遗众，但仍居北方。在苻洛叛乱被平定后，苻坚则为更好的管理关东以至各地民族，于是从原集中于关中的氐族人分出十五万户，各由宗亲率领出镇，如古分封诸侯般管治地方 。然而此举却分散了氐族的民族力量，影响对各地的军事影响力，而移居关中的各少数民族更成前秦的心腹大患 。

性格特徵

• 史载苻坚「臂垂过膝，目有紫光」。

• 苻坚与苻法兄弟友好，然而在苻坚即位之初其母苟氏以苻法年长、贤能以及得人心而杀害苻法，苻坚无奈下只有哭著与他诀别，伤心得吐血。后来其子苻阳因愤恨父亲无罪遭戮，而谋反，苻坚亦不诛杀。

• 苻坚寛贷容人，如后赵旧将张平在秦、燕之间摇摆，维持半独立状态 ，357年更以并州叛秦，但仍然加以寛贷，署为右将军。后苻重在洛阳叛变，苻坚也赦而不诛，后更再派他出镇，终招来苻重联同苻洛再叛；而苻洛败后苻坚仍不杀，只流放他到西海郡。另苻坚亦善待亡国贵族，如前凉张氏、前燕慕容氏等都没有进行屠杀，甚至颇见亲待。

• 苻坚执政前期大推善政，崇尚节俭，然而在王猛死后，苻坚却因听后赵前将作功曹熊邈讲述后赵宫室器具的规模，下令以其为将作长史，大修舟舰、兵器，并以金银装饰，讲求精巧，一改之前节俭之风。慕容农亦因而说：「自从王猛死后，秦的法制日渐颓靡，今日又著重奢侈，大祸将来了。」

• 苻坚初年虚心接纳臣下的谏言，如即位初期曾经登龙门，向群臣展现他甚为满足于关中的稳固。而权翼、薛赞当时则以夏、商、周、秦四个朝代由兴盛的基础而到最终遭他人所灭，表达出修备德行的重要，稳固的地势并不足以固国。苻坚听后大喜，随后就施行一系列新政与民休息。后苻坚在邺附近狩猎十多日，乐而忘返，亦听从伶人王洛的劝言，不再出猎。但后来苻坚却在出兵东晋等事上听不下谏言，只想听到支持自己的论调。

• 苻坚生母因为年轻守寡，于是宠幸将军李威，当时史官亦记载此事。但苻坚后来看起居注和史官所著的著作发现载有这种事，于是发怒烧书并大检史官，要加罪于史官，因著作郎赵渊、车敬等已死才了事。

评价

• 《晋书》史臣曰：「永固雅量瓌姿，变夷从夏，叶鱼龙之遥咏，挺莫苻之休徵，克翦奸回，纂承伪历，遵明王之德教，阐先圣之儒风，抚育黎元，忧勤庶政。……乃平燕定蜀，擒代吞凉，跨三分之二，居九州之七，遐荒慕义，幽险宅心，因止马而献歌，托栖以成颂，因以功侔曩烈，岂直化洽当年！虽五胡之盛，莫之比也。既而足己夸世，复谏违谋，轻敌怒邻，穷兵黩武。怼三正之未叶，耻五运之犹乖，倾率土之师，起滔天之寇，负其犬羊之力，肆其吞噬之能。自谓战必胜，攻必取，便欲鸣鸶禹穴，驻跸疑山，疏爵以侯楚材，筑馆以须归命。曾斗知人道助顺，神理害盈，虽矜涿野之强，终致昆阳之败。道使文渠候隙，狡寇伺间，步摇启其祸先，烧当乘其乱极，宗社迁于他族，身首罄于贼臣，贼戒将来，取笑天下，岂不哀哉！岂不谬哉！」

• 《晋书》赞曰：「永固祯祥，肇自龙骧。垂旒负扆，窃帝图王。患生纵敌，难起矜强。」

• 苻洪：「此儿姿貌瓖伟，质性过人，非常相也。」

• 徐统：「此儿有霸王之相。」又曰：「苻郎骨相不恒，后当大贵，但仆不见。」

• 薛礼、权翼：「非常人也！」

• 苻廋：「苻坚、王猛，皆人杰也。」

• 司马光：「夫有功不赏，有罪不诛，虽尧、舜不能为治，况他人乎！秦王坚每得反者辄宥之，使其臣狃于为逆，行险徼幸，力屈被擒，犹不忧死，乱何自而息哉！《书》曰：『威克厥爱，允济；爱克厥威，允罔功。』《诗》云：『毋纵诡随，以谨罔极；式遏寇虐，无俾作慝。』今坚违之，能无亡乎！」又言：「论者皆以为秦王坚之亡，由不杀慕容垂、姚苌故也。臣独以为不然。许劭谓魏武帝治世之能臣，乱世之奸雄。使坚治国无失其道，则垂、苌皆秦之能臣也，乌能为乱哉！坚之所以亡，由骤胜而骄故也。魏文侯问李子，吴之所以亡，对曰：『数战数胜。』文侯曰：『数战数胜，国之福也，何故亡？』对曰：『数战则民疲，数胜则主骄，以骄主御疲民，未有不亡者也。』秦王坚似之矣。」

• 历史学家陈登原认为苻坚有四大善事——文学优良，内政修明，大度容人，武功赫赫。后人对待亡国贵族往往以苻坚之仁为戒，选择屠杀殆尽。

• 吕思勉：「苻坚在诸胡中，尚为稍知治体者，然究非大器。尝县珠帘于正殿，以朝群臣。宫宇、车乘、器物、服御、乘以珠玑、琅玕、奇宝、珍怪饰之。虽以尚书裴元略之谏，命去珠帘，且以元略为谏议大夫，然此特好名之为，其诸事不免淫侈，则可想见矣。」后又以苻坚以慕容冲及前燕清河公主姐弟皆有美色而皆宠幸，直斥其「荒淫」。又指其命吕光征西域是「盖一欲夸耀武功，一亦贪其珍宝也。」又曰：「坚知晋终为秦患，命将出师之不足以晋，而未知躬自入犯之更招大祸，仍是失之于疏；而其疏，亦仍是失之于骄耳。」

• 著名作家柏杨于柏杨版资治通鉴第25册的序言中写到：在大分裂时代中，苻坚大帝以超时代的睿智之姿，出现舞台，为苦难的北中国人民，带来一个太平盛世。

传说

• 据说苻坚生母苟氏曾在漳水游玩，并在西门豹寺祈子，在当晚梦与神交，于是怀有苻坚。十二个月后苻坚才出生，当时天上有神光照耀门庭，苻坚背上亦有红色字，写著「草苻臣又土王咸阳」。后苻洪以此及「草付应王」的谶言改姓苻氏。

• 姚苌曾把苻坚的尸体挖出来鞭尸，脱掉衣服用荆棘裹起来，再以土坑埋掉。苻坚的冤魂作祟非常显著，姚苌后来诸事不顺，屡屡败阵，认为是苻坚显灵，于是也在军中树立苻坚像祈求道：「新平之祸，不是臣姚苌的错啊，臣的兄长姚襄从陕州北渡，顺著道路要往西边去，像狐狸死时把头朝向原本洞穴一样，只是想要见一见乡里啊。陛下与苻眉拦阻于路上攻击他，害他不能成功就死了，姚襄遗命臣一定要报仇。苻登是陛下的远亲亦想复仇，臣为自己的兄长报仇，又怎么说是辜负了义理呢？当年陛下封我为龙骧将军，跟我说：『朕从龙骧将军当上了皇帝，卿也好好努力罢！』这明明白白的诏谕非常显然，好像还在耳边一样。陛下已经过世成为神明了，怎么会透过苻登而谋害臣，忘却当年说的话呢！现在为陛下立神像，请陛下的灵魂进入这里，不要计较臣的过失了，听臣至诚的祷告。」 不过姚苌战况仍未有改善，反而睡不安稳，并招来苻登批评「古今以来，岂有人杀了主公却反而为主公立神像请求赐福？他期望会有好处吗？」姚苌终毁了苻坚神像。据说姚苌死前曾梦见过苻坚率天官、鬼兵去袭击他，期间他被救援自己的士兵误伤阴部至大量出血。醒后就发现阴部肿胀，医者刺肿处则如梦中一样大量出血，一石有馀。，如此吓得姚苌发狂胡言，又求苻坚原谅，姚苌不久伤重身亡，临终前跪伏床头，叩首不已。

• 据《涌幢小品》言：传闻死于新平寺之苻坚托梦该寺寺主摩诃，望该寺改为祭祀苻坚的庙宇。住持不从，该寺所在县镇，果然死疫相继，后不得已，即尊其灵示，改庙后，果真无疾。

• 道教信徒衍其义，逢瘟疫竞建祠避祸，称为苻王爷、苻家神，并于每年正月初二以太牢奉之，称为祭苻家神。祭苻家神为台湾道教现有祭典之一，祭典日为每年农历正月初二。

亲属

后妃

• 苟皇后，皇后

• 慕容氏，皇妃，前燕清河公主，慕容儁女

• 张夫人，皇妃，苻坚遇难时自杀

兄弟辈

• 苻法，兄长，封东海哀公，丞相，被苻坚母苟氏及李威联手杀害

• 苻融，弟弟，封阳平哀公，征南大将军，淝水之战中马倒被杀

• 苻双，弟弟，初封河南公，后封赵公，征西大将军，秦州刺史。与苻武、苻柳及苻廋叛苻坚作乱，失败被杀

• 苻忠，弟弟，封河南公

• 苻苌，苻健长子，苻坚堂兄，前秦献哀太子，因在追击北伐的晋军受伤而早死

• 苻靓，苻健次子，苻坚堂兄，平原王

• 苻生，苻健三子，苻坚堂兄，初封淮南王，前秦废帝，生性暴戾好杀，被苻坚废为越王，后杀害

• 苻觌，苻健四子，苻坚堂兄，长乐王

• 苻方，苻健五子，苻坚堂兄，高阳王，后封高阳公，抚军将军，384年被西燕军所杀

• 苻硕，苻健六子，苻坚堂兄，北平王

• 苻腾，苻健七子，苻坚堂兄，淮阳王，后为公，364年谋反被诛杀

• 苻柳，苻健八子，苻坚堂兄，晋王，后封晋公，前秦征东大将军，并州牧。与苻双、苻廋及苻武叛苻坚作乱，失败被杀

• 苻桐，苻健九子，苻坚堂兄弟，汝南王

• 苻廋，或作苻謏，苻健十子，苻坚堂兄弟，魏王，后封魏公，镇东大将军、洛州刺史，与苻双、苻柳及苻武叛苻坚作乱，失败被杀

• 苻武，苻健十一子，苻坚堂兄弟，燕王，后封燕公。安西将军，雍州刺史与苻双、苻柳及苻廋叛苻坚作乱，失败被杀

• 苻幼，苻健十二子，苻坚堂兄弟，赵王。征北将军，365年乘苻坚北巡袭击长安，失败被杀

• 苻绍，堂兄弟，高城男

• 苻谟，堂兄弟，重合侯

子

• 苻丕，长乐公，征东大将军，后即位为前秦哀平帝

• 苻晖，平原公，諡悼王，385年因与西燕军作战不利，被苻坚斥责后自杀

• 苻宏，前秦太子，385年入晋，404年与桓玄作乱，次年被杀

• 苻熙，广平公

• 苻睿，钜鹿公、弘农太守、卫大将军、司隶校尉、录尚书事、雍州刺史，384年为西燕慕容泓所杀

• 苻琳，河间公，384年为西燕军所杀

• 苻诜，中山公，385年在苻坚遇害后自杀

女

• 顺阳公主，嫁杨璧，385年随苻宏入晋

• 苻宝，385年苻坚遇害前将其杀死

• 苻锦，385年苻坚遇害前将其杀死

• 某公主，嫁杨定

侄

• 苻敞

• 苻朗

• 苻阳，苻法子，封东海公，后叛乱失败被流放

• 苻敷，苻法子，封清河公

• 苻亮，高邑侯

• 苻定，堂侄，冀州刺史、阜城侯

• 苻鉴，堂侄，固安侯

族孙

• 苻登，前秦高帝

男宠

• 慕容冲

注解