Zhou/History

Faction Overview	Strategic Overview	History

The Zhou dynasty is the second historically attested dynasty to rule China (or at least, the northern half of the present-day nation), and was the longest ruling dynasty in Chinese history. It began by replacing the Shang dynasty in 1027 BCE and continued in one form or another until 221 BCE. The early period of the Zhou dynasty (1027–771 BCE) was remembered in Chinese tradition as a time of peace and prosperity. In the later period (771–221 BCE) centralized control broke down and warfare among small states became frequent.

Ducal Zhou

The founder of the Zhou Dynasty is recorded to have been King Wu of Zhou, though it was his father, King Wen of Zhou, who is credited with sowing the first seeds of revolt against the Shang Dynasty. By forming alliances with neighboring chiefs, King Wen was able to build up a military force that could take on the Shang forces. King Wen is also recorded to have been just and benevolent ruler, and it is often said that it was his accumulated merit that contributed to the Mandate of Heaven being bestowed on his son - allowing the Zhou Dynasty to be established.Bronze Artifacts Found in 3,100-Year-Old Tomb Tell of Dynastic Take OverUse of fire by Peking Man goes back 600,000 years, Chinese scientists sayMythical Ancient Emperors Who Fought Over the Birth of China - Who Started It?In any case, the Shang were defeated by the Zhou at the Battle of Muye, which took place around 1046 BC, and King Zhou of Shang, the last Shang ruler, committed suicide, thus bringing the old dynasty to an end.

The Eastern Zhou

Whilst King Wu succeeded in toppling the Shang Dynasty, the Zhou were still not able to exercise complete control over the former Shang lands in the east. Thus, the task of consolidating the position of the new dynasty fell onto the shoulders of the king’s brother, the Duke of Zhou.

Apart from conquering these areas for the Zhou, the Duke of Zhou also served as regent to his nephew, King Cheng of Zhou, who ascended the throne as a child. The Western Zhou came to an end in 771 BC, when King You of Zhou was slain during an attack on his palace by his father-in-law, the Marquis of Shen (who was furious that his daughter was deposed as queen and his grandson as crown prince) and the Quanrong, a nomadic tribe.

A Celestial Legacy

Although the sack of Haojing would mortally would the Zhou hegemony and usher in what is known as the Spring and Autumn Period, the work of the Zhou as cultural innovators and transmitters was nevertheless complete. The concept of a centralised state with bureaucratic control meant to maximise the material capabilities of the rulers was one which was taken up eagerly by the small kingdoms which filled the political void left by the waning of royal rule.

These new rulers would become the patrons of China's first intelligentsia, and through their sponsorship of the most learned men, they made the Eastern Zhou a golden age in the history of Chinese culture. The great teacher, Confucius lived during the Eastern Zhou period. After he died in 478 BCE, there was the era of the Warring States until 221 BC when the dictatorship of the Qin dynasty began.

References

• &Ancient Origins; The Zhou Dynasty: The Longest-Lasting Dynasty in Chinese History