Difference between revisions of "Zhou Dynasty" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{dablink|See also [[Empress Wu Zetian of China]], who also claimed the dynastic name Zhou for her brief reign from 690 to 705 C.E.}}
 
{{dablink|See also [[Empress Wu Zetian of China]], who also claimed the dynastic name Zhou for her brief reign from 690 to 705 C.E.}}
 
{{History_of_China}}
 
{{History_of_China}}
The '''Zhou Dynasty''' ({{zh-cpw|c=周朝|p=Zhōu Cháo|w=Chou Ch`ao}}; [[1022]] BC to [[256 B.C.E.]]) followed the [[Shang Dynasty|Shang (Yin) Dynasty]] and preceded the [[Qin Dynasty]] in [[China]]. The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other in [[China|Chinese]] [[history]], and the [[Iron Age|use of iron]] was introduced to China during this time. The dynasty also spans the period in which the written script evolved from the ancient stage as seen in early Western Zhou bronze inscriptions, to the beginnings of the modern stage, in the form of the archaic clerical script of the late Warring States period.
+
The '''Zhou Dynasty''' ({{zh-cpw|c=周朝|p=Zhōu Cháo|w=Chou Ch`ao}}; 1022 B.C.E. to 256 B.C.E.) followed the [[Shang Dynasty|Shang (Yin) Dynasty]] and preceded the [[Qin Dynasty]] in [[China]]. The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other in [[China|Chinese]] [[history]], and the [[Iron Age|use of iron]] was introduced to China during this time. The dynasty also spans the period in which the written script evolved from the ancient stage as seen in early Western Zhou bronze inscriptions, to the beginnings of the modern stage, in the form of the archaic clerical script of the late Warring States period.
  
 
==Mandate of Heaven==
 
==Mandate of Heaven==
Line 13: Line 13:
  
 
==Western and Eastern Zhou==
 
==Western and Eastern Zhou==
Initially the Ji family was able to control the country firmly. In [[771 B.C.E.]], after [[King You of Zhou|King You]] had replaced his queen with a concubine [[Baosi]], the capital was sacked by the joint force of the queen's father, who was the powerful [[Marquess]] of [[Shen]], and a nomadic tribe. The queen's son [[King Ping of Zhou|Ji Yijiu]] was proclaimed the new king by the nobles from the states of [[Zheng (state)|Zheng]], [[Lu (state)|Lü]], [[Qin (state)|Qin]] and the Marquess of Shen. The capital was moved eastward in [[722 B.C.E.]] to [[Luoyang]] in present-day [[Henan]] Province.     
+
Initially the Ji family was able to control the country firmly. In 771 B.C.E., after [[King You of Zhou|King You]] had replaced his queen with a concubine [[Baosi]], the capital was sacked by the joint force of the queen's father, who was the powerful [[Marquess]] of [[Shen]], and a nomadic tribe. The queen's son [[King Ping of Zhou|Ji Yijiu]] was proclaimed the new king by the nobles from the states of [[Zheng (state)|Zheng]], [[Lu (state)|Lü]], [[Qin (state)|Qin]] and the Marquess of Shen. The capital was moved eastward in 722 B.C.E. to [[Luoyang]] in present-day [[Henan]] Province.     
  
Because of this shift, historians divide the Zhou era into the '''Western Zhou''' (西周, [[pinyin]] Xī Zhōu), lasting up until [[771 B.C.E.]], and the '''Eastern Zhou''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 東周 [[Simplified Chinese]]: 东周, [[pinyin]]: Dōng Zhōu) from [[770 B.C.E.|770]] up to [[256 B.C.E.]]. The beginning year of the Western Zhou has been disputed - [[1122 B.C.E.]], [[1027 B.C.E.]] and other years within the hundred years from late [[12th century B.C.E.]] to late [[11th century B.C.E.]] have been proposed. Chinese historians take [[841 B.C.E.]] as the first year of consecutive annual dating of the history of China, based on the ''[[Records of the Grand Historian]]'' by [[Sima Qian]]. The Eastern Zhou corresponds roughly to two subperiods. The first, from [[722 B.C.E.|722]] to [[481 B.C.E.]], is called the [[Spring and Autumn Period]], after a famous historical chronicle of the time; the second, which extends slightly past the 256 B.C.E. end date of the Eastern Zhou, is known as the [[Warring States Period]] (480 to 221 B.C.E.). This discrepancy is due to the fact that the
+
Because of this shift, historians divide the Zhou era into the '''Western Zhou''' (西周, [[pinyin]] Xī Zhōu), lasting up until 771 B.C.E., and the '''Eastern Zhou''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 東周 [[Simplified Chinese]]: 东周, [[pinyin]]: Dōng Zhōu) from 770 B.C.E.|770 up to 256 B.C.E. The beginning year of the Western Zhou has been disputed - 1122 B.C.E., 1027 B.C.E. and other years within the hundred years from late 12th century B.C.E. to late 11th century B.C.E. have been proposed. Chinese historians take 841 B.C.E. as the first year of consecutive annual dating of the history of China, based on the ''[[Records of the Grand Historian]]'' by [[Sima Qian]]. The Eastern Zhou corresponds roughly to two subperiods. The first, from 722 B.C.E.|722 to 481 B.C.E., is called the [[Spring and Autumn Period]], after a famous historical chronicle of the time; the second, which extends slightly past the 256 B.C.E. end date of the Eastern Zhou, is known as the [[Warring States Period]] (480 to 221 B.C.E.). This discrepancy is due to the fact that the
 
last Zhou king's reign ended in 256, 35 years before the beginning of the [[Qin dynasty]] which ended the Warring States period.
 
last Zhou king's reign ended in 256, 35 years before the beginning of the [[Qin dynasty]] which ended the Warring States period.
  
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| Ji Fa<br>姬發
 
| Ji Fa<br>姬發
 
| Wuwang<br>武王
 
| Wuwang<br>武王
| ''[[1046 B.C.E.]]-[[1043 B.C.E.]]''<sup>1</sup>
+
| ''1046 B.C.E.-1043 B.C.E.''<sup>1</sup>
 
| Zhou Wuwang<br>([[King Wu of Zhou]])
 
| Zhou Wuwang<br>([[King Wu of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
| Ji Song<br>姬誦
 
| Ji Song<br>姬誦
 
| Chengwang<br>成王
 
| Chengwang<br>成王
| ''[[1042 B.C.E.]]-[[1021 B.C.E.]]''<sup>1</sup>
+
| ''1042 B.C.E.-1021 B.C.E.''<sup>1</sup>
 
| Zhou Chengwang<br>([[King Cheng of Zhou]])
 
| Zhou Chengwang<br>([[King Cheng of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
| Ji Zhao<br>姬釗
 
| Ji Zhao<br>姬釗
 
| Kangwang<br>康王
 
| Kangwang<br>康王
| ''[[1020 B.C.E.]]-[[996 B.C.E.]]''<sup>1</sup>
+
| ''1020 B.C.E.-996 B.C.E.''<sup>1</sup>
 
| Zhou Kangwang<br>([[King Kang of Zhou]])
 
| Zhou Kangwang<br>([[King Kang of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
| Ji Xia<br>姬瑕
 
| Ji Xia<br>姬瑕
 
| Zhaowang<br>昭王
 
| Zhaowang<br>昭王
| ''[[995 B.C.E.]]-[[977 B.C.E.]]''<sup>1</sup>
+
| ''995 B.C.E.-977 B.C.E.''<sup>1</sup>
 
| Zhou Zhaowang<br>([[King Zhao of Zhou]])
 
| Zhou Zhaowang<br>([[King Zhao of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Man<br>姬滿
 
|Ji Man<br>姬滿
 
|Muwang<br>穆王
 
|Muwang<br>穆王
|''[[976 B.C.E.]]-[[922 B.C.E.]]''<sup>1</sup>
+
|''976 B.C.E.-922 B.C.E.''<sup>1</sup>
 
|Zhou Muwang<br>([[King Mu of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Muwang<br>([[King Mu of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Yihu<br>姬繄扈
 
|Ji Yihu<br>姬繄扈
 
|Gongwang<br>共王
 
|Gongwang<br>共王
|''[[922 B.C.E.]]-[[900 B.C.E.]]''<sup>1</sup>
+
|''922 B.C.E.-900 B.C.E.''<sup>1</sup>
 
|Zhou Gongwang<br>([[King Gong of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Gongwang<br>([[King Gong of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Jian<br>姬囏
 
|Ji Jian<br>姬囏
 
|Yiwang<br>懿王
 
|Yiwang<br>懿王
|''[[899 B.C.E.]]-[[892 B.C.E.]]''<sup>1</sup>
+
|''899 B.C.E.-892 B.C.E.''<sup>1</sup>
 
|Zhou Yiwang<br>([[King Yi of Zhou (Ji Jian)|King Yi of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Yiwang<br>([[King Yi of Zhou (Ji Jian)|King Yi of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Pifang<br>姬辟方
 
|Ji Pifang<br>姬辟方
 
|Xiaowang<br>孝王
 
|Xiaowang<br>孝王
|''[[891 B.C.E.]]-[[886 B.C.E.]]''<sup>1</sup>
+
|''891 B.C.E.-886 B.C.E.''<sup>1</sup>
 
|Zhou Xiaowang<br>([[King Xiao of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Xiaowang<br>([[King Xiao of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Xie<br>姬燮
 
|Ji Xie<br>姬燮
 
|Yiwang<br>夷王
 
|Yiwang<br>夷王
|''[[885 B.C.E.]]-[[878 B.C.E.]]''<sup>1</sup>
+
|''885 B.C.E.-878 B.C.E.''<sup>1</sup>
 
|Zhou Yiwang<br>([[King Yi of Zhou (Ji Xie)|King Yi of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Yiwang<br>([[King Yi of Zhou (Ji Xie)|King Yi of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Hu<br>姬胡
 
|Ji Hu<br>姬胡
 
|Liwang<br>厲王
 
|Liwang<br>厲王
|''[[877 B.C.E.]]-[[841 B.C.E.]]''<sup>1</sup>
+
|''877 B.C.E.-841 B.C.E.''<sup>1</sup>
 
|Zhou Liwang<br>([[King Li of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Liwang<br>([[King Li of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
| 
 
| 
 
|Gonghe (''regency'')<br>共和
 
|Gonghe (''regency'')<br>共和
|[[841 B.C.E.]]-[[828 B.C.E.]]
+
|841 B.C.E.-828 B.C.E.
 
|[[Gonghe]]
 
|[[Gonghe]]
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Jing<br>姬靜
 
|Ji Jing<br>姬靜
 
|Xuanwang<br>宣王
 
|Xuanwang<br>宣王
|[[827 B.C.E.]]-[[782 B.C.E.]]
+
|827 B.C.E.-782 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Xuanwang<br>([[King Xuan of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Xuanwang<br>([[King Xuan of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Gongsheng<br>姬宮湦
 
|Ji Gongsheng<br>姬宮湦
 
|Youwang<br>幽王
 
|Youwang<br>幽王
|[[781 B.C.E.]]-[[771 B.C.E.]]
+
|781 B.C.E.-771 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Youwang<br>([[King You of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Youwang<br>([[King You of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
Line 101: Line 101:
 
|Ji Yijiu<br>姬宜臼
 
|Ji Yijiu<br>姬宜臼
 
|Pingwang<br>平王
 
|Pingwang<br>平王
|[[770 B.C.E.]]-[[720 B.C.E.]]
+
|770 B.C.E.-720 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Pingwang<br>([[King Ping of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Pingwang<br>([[King Ping of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Lin<br>姬林
 
|Ji Lin<br>姬林
 
|Huanwang<br>桓王
 
|Huanwang<br>桓王
|[[719 B.C.E.]]-[[697 B.C.E.]]
+
|719 B.C.E.-697 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Huanwang<br>([[King Huan of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Huanwang<br>([[King Huan of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Tuo<br>姬佗
 
|Ji Tuo<br>姬佗
 
|Zhuangwang<br>莊王
 
|Zhuangwang<br>莊王
|[[696 B.C.E.]]-[[682 B.C.E.]]
+
|696 B.C.E.-682 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Zhuangwang<br>([[King Zhuang of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Zhuangwang<br>([[King Zhuang of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Huqi<br>姬胡齊
 
|Ji Huqi<br>姬胡齊
 
|Xiwang<br>釐王
 
|Xiwang<br>釐王
|[[681 B.C.E.]]-[[677 B.C.E.]]
+
|681 B.C.E.-677 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Xiwang<br>([[King Xi of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Xiwang<br>([[King Xi of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Lang<br>姬閬
 
|Ji Lang<br>姬閬
 
|Huiwang<br>惠王
 
|Huiwang<br>惠王
|[[676 B.C.E.]]-[[652 B.C.E.]]
+
|676 B.C.E.-652 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Huiwang<br>([[King Hui of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Huiwang<br>([[King Hui of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Zheng<br>姬鄭
 
|Ji Zheng<br>姬鄭
 
|Xiangwang<br>襄王
 
|Xiangwang<br>襄王
|[[651 B.C.E.]]-[[619 B.C.E.]]
+
|651 B.C.E.-619 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Xiangwang<br>([[King Xiang of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Xiangwang<br>([[King Xiang of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Renchen<br>姬壬臣
 
|Ji Renchen<br>姬壬臣
 
|Qingwang<br>頃王
 
|Qingwang<br>頃王
|[[618 B.C.E.]]-[[613 B.C.E.]]
+
|618 B.C.E.-613 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Qingwang<br>([[King Qing of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Qingwang<br>([[King Qing of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Ban<br>姬班
 
|Ji Ban<br>姬班
 
|Kuangwang<br>匡王
 
|Kuangwang<br>匡王
|[[612 B.C.E.]]-[[607 B.C.E.]]
+
|612 B.C.E.-607 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Kuangwang<br>([[King Kuang of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Kuangwang<br>([[King Kuang of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Yu<br>姬瑜
 
|Ji Yu<br>姬瑜
 
|Dingwang<br>定王
 
|Dingwang<br>定王
|[[606 B.C.E.]]-[[586 B.C.E.]]
+
|606 B.C.E.-586 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Dingwang<br>([[King Ding of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Dingwang<br>([[King Ding of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Yi<br>姬夷
 
|Ji Yi<br>姬夷
 
|Jianwang<br>簡王
 
|Jianwang<br>簡王
|[[585 B.C.E.]]-[[572 B.C.E.]]
+
|585 B.C.E.-572 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Jianwang<br>([[King Jian of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Jianwang<br>([[King Jian of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Xiexin<br>姬泄心
 
|Ji Xiexin<br>姬泄心
 
|Lingwang<br>靈王
 
|Lingwang<br>靈王
|[[571 B.C.E.]]-[[545 B.C.E.]]
+
|571 B.C.E.-545 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Lingwang<br>([[King Ling of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Lingwang<br>([[King Ling of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Gui<br>姬貴
 
|Ji Gui<br>姬貴
 
|Jingwang<br>景王
 
|Jingwang<br>景王
|[[544 B.C.E.]]-[[521 B.C.E.]]
+
|544 B.C.E.-521 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Jingwang<br>([[King Jing of Zhou (Ji Gui)|King Jing of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Jingwang<br>([[King Jing of Zhou (Ji Gui)|King Jing of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Meng<br>姬猛
 
|Ji Meng<br>姬猛
 
|Daowang<br>悼王
 
|Daowang<br>悼王
|[[520 B.C.E.]]
+
|520 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Daowang<br>([[King Dao of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Daowang<br>([[King Dao of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Gai<br>姬丐
 
|Ji Gai<br>姬丐
 
|Jingwang<br>敬王
 
|Jingwang<br>敬王
|[[519 B.C.E.]]-[[476 B.C.E.]]
+
|519 B.C.E.-476 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Jingwang<br>([[King Jing of Zhou (Ji Gai)|King Jing of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Jingwang<br>([[King Jing of Zhou (Ji Gai)|King Jing of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Ren<br>姬仁
 
|Ji Ren<br>姬仁
 
|Yuanwang<br>元王
 
|Yuanwang<br>元王
|[[475 B.C.E.]]-[[469 B.C.E.]]
+
|475 B.C.E.-469 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Yuanwang<br>([[King Yuan of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Yuanwang<br>([[King Yuan of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Jie<br>姬介
 
|Ji Jie<br>姬介
 
|Zhendingwang<br>貞定王
 
|Zhendingwang<br>貞定王
|[[468 B.C.E.]]-[[442 B.C.E.]]
+
|468 B.C.E.-442 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Zhendingwang<br>([[King Zhending of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Zhendingwang<br>([[King Zhending of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Quji<br>姬去疾
 
|Ji Quji<br>姬去疾
 
|Aiwang<br>哀王
 
|Aiwang<br>哀王
|[[441 B.C.E.]]
+
|441 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Aiwang<br>([[King Ai of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Aiwang<br>([[King Ai of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Shu<br>姬叔
 
|Ji Shu<br>姬叔
 
|Siwang<br>思王
 
|Siwang<br>思王
|[[441 B.C.E.]]
+
|441 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Siwang<br>([[King Si of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Siwang<br>([[King Si of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Wei<br>姬嵬
 
|Ji Wei<br>姬嵬
 
|Kaowang<br>考王
 
|Kaowang<br>考王
|[[440 B.C.E.]]-[[426 B.C.E.]]
+
|440 B.C.E.-426 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Kaowang<br>([[King Kao of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Kaowang<br>([[King Kao of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Wu<br>姬午
 
|Ji Wu<br>姬午
 
|Weiliewang<br>威烈王
 
|Weiliewang<br>威烈王
|[[425 B.C.E.]]-[[402 B.C.E.]]
+
|425 B.C.E.-402 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Weiliewang<br>([[King Weilie of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Weiliewang<br>([[King Weilie of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Jiao<br>姬驕
 
|Ji Jiao<br>姬驕
 
|Anwang<br>安王
 
|Anwang<br>安王
|[[401 B.C.E.]]-[[376 B.C.E.]]
+
|401 B.C.E.-376 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Anwang<br>([[King An of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Anwang<br>([[King An of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Xi<br>姬喜
 
|Ji Xi<br>姬喜
 
|Liewang<br>烈王
 
|Liewang<br>烈王
|[[375 B.C.E.]]-[[369 B.C.E.]]
+
|375 B.C.E.-369 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Liewang<br>([[King Lie of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Liewang<br>([[King Lie of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Bian<br>姬扁
 
|Ji Bian<br>姬扁
 
|Xianwang<br>顯王
 
|Xianwang<br>顯王
|[[368 B.C.E.]]-[[321 B.C.E.]]
+
|368 B.C.E.-321 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Xianwang<br>([[King Xian of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Xianwang<br>([[King Xian of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Ding<br>姬定
 
|Ji Ding<br>姬定
 
|Shenjingwang<br>慎靚王
 
|Shenjingwang<br>慎靚王
|[[320 B.C.E.]]-[[315 B.C.E.]]
+
|320 B.C.E.-315 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Shenjingwang<br>([[King Shenjing of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Shenjingwang<br>([[King Shenjing of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
|Ji Yan<br>姬延
 
|Ji Yan<br>姬延
 
|Nanwang<br>赧王
 
|Nanwang<br>赧王
|[[314 B.C.E.]]-[[256 B.C.E.]]
+
|314 B.C.E.-256 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Nanwang<br>([[King Nan of Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Nanwang<br>([[King Nan of Zhou]])
 
|- align="center"
 
|- align="center"
 
| 
 
| 
 
|Huiwang<br>惠王
 
|Huiwang<br>惠王
|[[255 B.C.E.]]-[[249 B.C.E.]]
+
|255 B.C.E.-249 B.C.E.
 
|Zhou Huiwang<sup>2</sup><br>([[King Hui of Eastern Zhou]])
 
|Zhou Huiwang<sup>2</sup><br>([[King Hui of Eastern Zhou]])
 
|-
 
|-
 
| colspan="4"  style="background-color: #EFEFEF"| <small>'''1''' The first generally accepted date in Chinese history is [[841 B.C.E.]], the beginning of the Gonghe<br>regency. All dates prior to this are the subject of often vigorous dispute. The dates provided here<br>are those put forward by ''The Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project'', the work of scholars<br>sponsored by the Chinese government which reported in 2000. They are given only as a guide.</small>
 
| colspan="4"  style="background-color: #EFEFEF"| <small>'''1''' The first generally accepted date in Chinese history is [[841 B.C.E.]], the beginning of the Gonghe<br>regency. All dates prior to this are the subject of often vigorous dispute. The dates provided here<br>are those put forward by ''The Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project'', the work of scholars<br>sponsored by the Chinese government which reported in 2000. They are given only as a guide.</small>
 
|-
 
|-
| colspan="4"  style="background-color: #EFEFEF"| <small>'''2''' Nobles of the Ji family proclaimed King Hui as King Nan's successor after their capital, [[Luoyang]],<br>fell to Qin forces in [[256 B.C.E.]]. However Zhou resistance did not last long in the face of the Qin<br>advance and so King Nan is widely considered to have been the last emperor of the Zhou dynasty.</small>
+
| colspan="4"  style="background-color: #EFEFEF"| <small>'''2''' Nobles of the Ji family proclaimed King Hui as King Nan's successor after their capital, [[Luoyang]],<br>fell to Qin forces in 256 B.C.E. However Zhou resistance did not last long in the face of the Qin<br>advance and so King Nan is widely considered to have been the last emperor of the Zhou dynasty.</small>
 
|}
 
|}
  

Revision as of 20:40, 17 July 2006

History of China
History of China
ANCIENT
3 Sovereigns and 5 Emperors
Xia Dynasty 2070–1600 B.C.E.
Shang Dynasty 1600–1046 B.C.E.
Zhou Dynasty 1122–256 B.C.E.
  Western Zhou
  Eastern Zhou
    Spring and Autumn Period
    Warring States Period
IMPERIAL
Qin Dynasty 221 B.C.E.–206 B.C.E.
Han Dynasty 206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.
  Western Han
  Xin Dynasty
  Eastern Han
Three Kingdoms 220–280 C.E.
  Wu, Shu & Wei
Jin Dynasty 265–420 C.E.
  Western Jin
  Eastern Jin 16 Kingdoms
304–439 C.E.
Southern & Northern Dynasties 420–589 C.E.
Sui Dynasty 581–619 C.E.
Tang Dynasty 618–907 C.E.
5 Dynasties &
10 Kingdoms

907–960 C.E.
Liao Dynasty
907–1125 C.E.
Song Dynasty
960–1279 C.E.
  Northern Song W. Xia Dyn.
  Southern Song Jin Dyn.
Yuan Dynasty 1271–1368 C.E.
Ming Dynasty 1368–1644 C.E.
Qing Dynasty 1644–1911 C.E.
MODERN
Republic of China 1911–present
People's Republic
of China
1949–present

Republic of China
(on Taiwan)


Timeline of Chinese history
Dynasties in Chinese history
Military history of China
History of Chinese art
History of science and technology in China
History of Education in China

The Zhou Dynasty (Chinese: 周朝; pinyin: Zhōu Cháo; Wade-Giles: Chou Ch`ao; 1022 B.C.E. to 256 B.C.E.) followed the Shang (Yin) Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty in China. The Zhou dynasty lasted longer than any other in Chinese history, and the use of iron was introduced to China during this time. The dynasty also spans the period in which the written script evolved from the ancient stage as seen in early Western Zhou bronze inscriptions, to the beginnings of the modern stage, in the form of the archaic clerical script of the late Warring States period.

Mandate of Heaven

In the Chinese historical tradition, the rulers of the Zhou displaced the Shang and legitimized their rule by invoking the Mandate of Heaven, the notion that the ruler (the "son of heaven") governed by divine right (granted by the Supreme God of Heaven) but that his dethronement would prove that he had lost the mandate. The doctrine explained and justified the demise of the Xia and Shang Dynasties and at the same time supported the legitimacy of present and future rulers. The Zhou dynasty was founded by the Ji family and had its capital at Hào (鎬, near the present-day city of Xi'an). Sharing the language and culture of the Shang (Yin), the early Zhou rulers, through conquest and colonization, gradually sinicized, that is, extended Shang (Yin) culture through much of China Proper north of the Yangtze River.

Western Zhou civilization.
Western Zhou vase with glass inlays, 4th-3rd century B.C.E., British Museum.

Fēngjiàn (封建)

In the West, the Zhou period is often described as feudal because the Zhou's early rule invites comparison with medieval rule in Europe. However, historians debate the meaning of the term feudal; the more appropriate term for the Zhou Dynasty's political arrangement would be from the Chinese language itself: the Fēngjiàn (封建) system. The Zhou amalgam of city-states became progressively centralized and established increasingly impersonal political and economic institutions. These developments, which probably occurred in the later Zhou period, were manifested in greater central control over local governments and a more routinized agrarian taxation.

Western and Eastern Zhou

Initially the Ji family was able to control the country firmly. In 771 B.C.E., after King You had replaced his queen with a concubine Baosi, the capital was sacked by the joint force of the queen's father, who was the powerful Marquess of Shen, and a nomadic tribe. The queen's son Ji Yijiu was proclaimed the new king by the nobles from the states of Zheng, Lü, Qin and the Marquess of Shen. The capital was moved eastward in 722 B.C.E. to Luoyang in present-day Henan Province.

Because of this shift, historians divide the Zhou era into the Western Zhou (西周, pinyin Xī Zhōu), lasting up until 771 B.C.E., and the Eastern Zhou (Traditional Chinese: 東周 Simplified Chinese: 东周, pinyin: Dōng Zhōu) from 770 B.C.E.|770 up to 256 B.C.E. The beginning year of the Western Zhou has been disputed - 1122 B.C.E., 1027 B.C.E. and other years within the hundred years from late 12th century B.C.E. to late 11th century B.C.E. have been proposed. Chinese historians take 841 B.C.E. as the first year of consecutive annual dating of the history of China, based on the Records of the Grand Historian by Sima Qian. The Eastern Zhou corresponds roughly to two subperiods. The first, from 722 B.C.E.|722 to 481 B.C.E., is called the Spring and Autumn Period, after a famous historical chronicle of the time; the second, which extends slightly past the 256 B.C.E. end date of the Eastern Zhou, is known as the Warring States Period (480 to 221 B.C.E.). This discrepancy is due to the fact that the last Zhou king's reign ended in 256, 35 years before the beginning of the Qin dynasty which ended the Warring States period.

Decline

With the royal line broken, the power of the Zhou court gradually diminished; the fragmentation of the kingdom accelerated. From Ping Wang onwards, the Zhou kings ruled in name only, with true power lying in the hands of powerful nobles. Towards the end of the Zhou Dynasty, the nobles did not even bother to acknowledge the Ji family symbolically and declared themselves to be kings. They wanted to be the king of the kings. Finally, the dynasty was obliterated by Qin Shi Huang's unification of China in 221 B.C.E.

Agriculture

Agriculture in Zhou Dynasty was very intensive and in many cases directed by the government. All farming lands were owned by nobles, who then gave their land to their serfs, similar to European feudalism. For example, a piece of land was divided into nine squares in the shape of the character for "water well," jing (井), with the grain from the middle square taken by the government and that of surrounding squares kept by individual farmers. This way, the government was able to store surplus food (such as rice) and distribute them in times of famine or bad harvest. Some important manufacturing sectors during this period include bronze making, which was integral in making weapons and farming tools. Again, these industries were dominated by the nobility who direct the production of such materials.

Zhou dynasty kings

Personal name Posthumous name Reign years1 Name by which most commonly known
Ji Fa
姬發
Wuwang
武王
1046 B.C.E.-1043 B.C.E.1 Zhou Wuwang
(King Wu of Zhou)
Ji Song
姬誦
Chengwang
成王
1042 B.C.E.-1021 B.C.E.1 Zhou Chengwang
(King Cheng of Zhou)
Ji Zhao
姬釗
Kangwang
康王
1020 B.C.E.-996 B.C.E.1 Zhou Kangwang
(King Kang of Zhou)
Ji Xia
姬瑕
Zhaowang
昭王
995 B.C.E.-977 B.C.E.1 Zhou Zhaowang
(King Zhao of Zhou)
Ji Man
姬滿
Muwang
穆王
976 B.C.E.-922 B.C.E.1 Zhou Muwang
(King Mu of Zhou)
Ji Yihu
姬繄扈
Gongwang
共王
922 B.C.E.-900 B.C.E.1 Zhou Gongwang
(King Gong of Zhou)
Ji Jian
姬囏
Yiwang
懿王
899 B.C.E.-892 B.C.E.1 Zhou Yiwang
(King Yi of Zhou)
Ji Pifang
姬辟方
Xiaowang
孝王
891 B.C.E.-886 B.C.E.1 Zhou Xiaowang
(King Xiao of Zhou)
Ji Xie
姬燮
Yiwang
夷王
885 B.C.E.-878 B.C.E.1 Zhou Yiwang
(King Yi of Zhou)
Ji Hu
姬胡
Liwang
厲王
877 B.C.E.-841 B.C.E.1 Zhou Liwang
(King Li of Zhou)
  Gonghe (regency)
共和
841 B.C.E.-828 B.C.E. Gonghe
Ji Jing
姬靜
Xuanwang
宣王
827 B.C.E.-782 B.C.E. Zhou Xuanwang
(King Xuan of Zhou)
Ji Gongsheng
姬宮湦
Youwang
幽王
781 B.C.E.-771 B.C.E. Zhou Youwang
(King You of Zhou)
End of Western Zhou / Beginning of Eastern Zhou
Ji Yijiu
姬宜臼
Pingwang
平王
770 B.C.E.-720 B.C.E. Zhou Pingwang
(King Ping of Zhou)
Ji Lin
姬林
Huanwang
桓王
719 B.C.E.-697 B.C.E. Zhou Huanwang
(King Huan of Zhou)
Ji Tuo
姬佗
Zhuangwang
莊王
696 B.C.E.-682 B.C.E. Zhou Zhuangwang
(King Zhuang of Zhou)
Ji Huqi
姬胡齊
Xiwang
釐王
681 B.C.E.-677 B.C.E. Zhou Xiwang
(King Xi of Zhou)
Ji Lang
姬閬
Huiwang
惠王
676 B.C.E.-652 B.C.E. Zhou Huiwang
(King Hui of Zhou)
Ji Zheng
姬鄭
Xiangwang
襄王
651 B.C.E.-619 B.C.E. Zhou Xiangwang
(King Xiang of Zhou)
Ji Renchen
姬壬臣
Qingwang
頃王
618 B.C.E.-613 B.C.E. Zhou Qingwang
(King Qing of Zhou)
Ji Ban
姬班
Kuangwang
匡王
612 B.C.E.-607 B.C.E. Zhou Kuangwang
(King Kuang of Zhou)
Ji Yu
姬瑜
Dingwang
定王
606 B.C.E.-586 B.C.E. Zhou Dingwang
(King Ding of Zhou)
Ji Yi
姬夷
Jianwang
簡王
585 B.C.E.-572 B.C.E. Zhou Jianwang
(King Jian of Zhou)
Ji Xiexin
姬泄心
Lingwang
靈王
571 B.C.E.-545 B.C.E. Zhou Lingwang
(King Ling of Zhou)
Ji Gui
姬貴
Jingwang
景王
544 B.C.E.-521 B.C.E. Zhou Jingwang
(King Jing of Zhou)
Ji Meng
姬猛
Daowang
悼王
520 B.C.E. Zhou Daowang
(King Dao of Zhou)
Ji Gai
姬丐
Jingwang
敬王
519 B.C.E.-476 B.C.E. Zhou Jingwang
(King Jing of Zhou)
Ji Ren
姬仁
Yuanwang
元王
475 B.C.E.-469 B.C.E. Zhou Yuanwang
(King Yuan of Zhou)
Ji Jie
姬介
Zhendingwang
貞定王
468 B.C.E.-442 B.C.E. Zhou Zhendingwang
(King Zhending of Zhou)
Ji Quji
姬去疾
Aiwang
哀王
441 B.C.E. Zhou Aiwang
(King Ai of Zhou)
Ji Shu
姬叔
Siwang
思王
441 B.C.E. Zhou Siwang
(King Si of Zhou)
Ji Wei
姬嵬
Kaowang
考王
440 B.C.E.-426 B.C.E. Zhou Kaowang
(King Kao of Zhou)
Ji Wu
姬午
Weiliewang
威烈王
425 B.C.E.-402 B.C.E. Zhou Weiliewang
(King Weilie of Zhou)
Ji Jiao
姬驕
Anwang
安王
401 B.C.E.-376 B.C.E. Zhou Anwang
(King An of Zhou)
Ji Xi
姬喜
Liewang
烈王
375 B.C.E.-369 B.C.E. Zhou Liewang
(King Lie of Zhou)
Ji Bian
姬扁
Xianwang
顯王
368 B.C.E.-321 B.C.E. Zhou Xianwang
(King Xian of Zhou)
Ji Ding
姬定
Shenjingwang
慎靚王
320 B.C.E.-315 B.C.E. Zhou Shenjingwang
(King Shenjing of Zhou)
Ji Yan
姬延
Nanwang
赧王
314 B.C.E.-256 B.C.E. Zhou Nanwang
(King Nan of Zhou)
  Huiwang
惠王
255 B.C.E.-249 B.C.E. Zhou Huiwang2
(King Hui of Eastern Zhou)
1 The first generally accepted date in Chinese history is 841 B.C.E., the beginning of the Gonghe
regency. All dates prior to this are the subject of often vigorous dispute. The dates provided here
are those put forward by The Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project, the work of scholars
sponsored by the Chinese government which reported in 2000. They are given only as a guide.
2 Nobles of the Ji family proclaimed King Hui as King Nan's successor after their capital, Luoyang,
fell to Qin forces in 256 B.C.E. However Zhou resistance did not last long in the face of the Qin
advance and so King Nan is widely considered to have been the last emperor of the Zhou dynasty.

See also

  • Chinese sovereign
  • Huns
  • Tribes in Chinese history

External links

Commons
Wikimedia Commons has media related to::

The official site of the Chou Dynasty genealogy by Lester D.K. Chow, president, Chou Clansmen Association of America, P.O. Box 4604, Honolulu, Hawaii 96812 Translated from Chinese text to English. http://www.geocities.com/zhouclan/chia_pu.html


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