Also known as the Bei Wei (“Northern Wei”) and Tabgatch or Tuoba and founded by tribesmen of Turkic origins, the Wei Dynasty (386–534/535 CE) was the longest-surviving and most powerful of the northern Chinese dynasties in the Northern and Southern Dynasties period (420–589 CE). They were known for the unification of northern China c. 439 CE. Their rulers eventually converted to Buddhism and were renowned as patrons of Buddhist art.