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Qi (state)
Encyclopedia
Qi was a powerful state during the Spring and Autumn Period and Period of the Warring States in ancient China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Its capital was Linzi
Linzi
Linzi was the capital of Qi from 859 BC to 221 BC during the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period in China. The ruins of the city lie in modern day Linzi District, Shandong, China. The city was one of the largest and richest in China during the Spring and Autumn Period...
, now part of the modern day city of Zibo
Zibo
Zibo is a prefecture-level city in central Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders the provincial capital of Jinan to the west, Laiwu and Tai'an to the southwest, Linyi to the south, Weifang to the east, Dongying to the northeast, and Binzhou the north.Located in the middle part...
in Shandong Province.
Qi was founded around in 1046 B.C.
1040s BC
-Events and trends:* 1048 BC—Medon, King of Athens, dies after a reign of 20 years and is succeeded by his son Acastus.* 1046 BC—Following the Battle of Muye, King Wu of Zhou overthrows the Shang Dynasty Chinese King Di Xin and founds the Zhou Dynasty .* 1044 BC—On the death of Smendes I, king of...
as one of the many vassal states of the Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
. The first ruler of Qi was Jiang Shang, the most powerful official during that time. The Jiang family ruled Qi for several centuries before it was replaced by the Tian family in 386 BC
386 BC
Year 386 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Tribunate of Camillus, Cornelius, Fidenas, Cincinnatus, Pulvillus and Poplicola...
. In 221 BC, Qi was the last state of pre-Imperial China to be conquered by the State of Qin
Qin (state)
The State of Qin was a Chinese feudal state that existed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history...
, the final obstacle which allowed the Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
to consolidate the first centralized and imperial empire over China.
History
Western ZhouWestern Zhou
The Western Zhōu period was the first half of the Zhou Dynasty of ancient China. It began when King Wu of Zhou overthrew the Shang Dynasty at the Battle of Muye. C.H...
(1046–771 BC): With the founding of the Zhou dynasty in 1046 BC, King Wu of Zhou
King Wu of Zhou
King Wu of Zhōu or King Wu of Chou was the first sovereign, or ruler of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. The dates of his reign are 1046-1043 BCE or 1049/45-1043. Various sources quoted that he died at the age of 93, 54 or 43. He was considered a just and able leader. Zhou Gong Dan was one of his...
assigned the conquered lands as hereditary fiefs to his relatives and ministers. Territory in the area of modern day Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
was given to Jiang Ziya
Jiang Ziya
Jiang Ziya was a Chinese historical and legendary figure who resided next to the Weishui River about 3,000 years ago. A sage and military strategist, Jiang Ziya was called upon by King Wen of Zhou to serve as prime minister...
, his most important general from which the state of Qi arose. Little information survives from this period. King Yi of Zhou (Ji Xie)
King Yi of Zhou (Ji Xie)
King Yi of Zhou or King I of Chou was the ninth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. Estimated dates of his reign are 885–878 BC or 865–858 BC....
(865-858) attacked Qi and boiled the Duke of Qi in a ding
Ding (vessel)
A ding is an ancient Chinese cauldron with legs, a lid and two handles opposite each other. They were made in two shapes with round vessels having three legs and rectangular ones four....
or cauldron. At the time of King Xuan of Zhou
King Xuan of Zhou
King Xuan of Zhou was the eleventh sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. Estimated dates of his reign are 827-782 BC or 827/25-782 BC.He worked to restore royal authority after the Gong He interregnum. He fought the 'Western Barbarians' and another group on the Huai River to the southeast. In...
(827-782) there was a succession struggle. During this time many of the native Dongyi
Dongyi
Dongyi was a collective term for people in eastern China and in lands located to the east of ancient China. People referred to as Dongyi vary across the ages.The early Dongyi culture was one of earliest neolithic cultures in China....
peoples were absorbed into the Qi state.
Spring and Autumn Period (771–480 BC): In 706 Qi was attacked by the Shan Rong. Qi rose to prominence under Duke Huan of Qi (685–643). He and his minister Guan Zhong
Guan Zhong
Guǎn Zhòng was a politician and statesman during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. His given name was Yíwú . Zhong was his courtesy name. Recommended by Bao Shuya, he was appointed Prime Minister by Duke Huan of Qi in 685 BC.-Achievements:Guan Zhong modernized the Qi State by...
strengthened the state by centralizing it. He annexed 35 neighboring states and brought others into submission. In 667 Duke Huan met with the rulers of Lu
Lu (state)
The State of Lu, was a Zhou Dynasty ducal vassal state before and during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. Founded in the 10th century BC, its dukes used Ji as their family name. The first duke was Boqin |Qi]] and to the south by the powerful state of Chu...
, Song
Song (state)
Sòng was a state during the Eastern Zhou Spring and Autumn Period . Its capital was Shangqiu . In 701 BC, a political marriage between Lady Yong of Song and Duke Zhuang of Zheng empowered Song to manipulate the management of Zheng.- Origin :After King Wu of Zhou overthrew King Zhou of Shang,...
, Chen
Chen (state)
Chen was a minor Zhou Dynasty vassal state during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese History. It was a relatively minor state based on a single urban centre near what is now Huaiyang County in the plains of eastern Henan province...
and Zheng
Zheng (state)
Zheng （) was a vassal state in China during the Zhou Dynasty located in the centre of ancient China in modern day Henan Province on the North China Plain about east of the royal capital at Luoyang. It was the most powerful of the vassal states at the beginning of the Eastern Zhou...
and was elected leader. Subsequently King Hui of Zhou
King Hui of Zhou
For the King Hui proclaimed as King Nan of Zhou's successor, see King Hui of Eastern ZhouKing Hui of Zhou, ch. 周惠王, py. zhōu hùi wáng, wg...
appointed him 'Ba' or Hegemon. He attacked Wei
Wei (Spring and Autumn Period)
This article is about the State of Wei founded during the Spring and Autumn Period. For the Warring States Period state whose name is pronounced identically, see Wei ....
for supporting a rival of the Zhou king and intervened in the affairs of Lu. In 664 he protected Yan
Yan (state)
Yān was a state during the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history. Its capital was Ji...
from the Rong. In 659 he protected Xing
Xing (state)
The State of Xíng was a vassal state of ancient China during the Zhou Dynasty and Spring and Autumn Period , ruled by descendants of the Jí family...
and in 660, Wei, from the Chi Di
Beidi
Beidi or Northern Di were groups of people who lived to the north of what was then China during the Zhou Dynasty. By the end of the dynasty they were mostly conquered or absorbed by the Chinese....
. In 656 he blocked the northward expansion of Chu
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
. After his death, his sons quarreled and the hegemony passed to Jin.
In 632 Qi helped Jin defeat Chu at the Battle of Chengpu
Battle of Chengpu
The Battle of Chengpu took place in 632 BC between the State of Jin and the State of Chu and its allies during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. It was the first great battle in the protracted conflict between the states of the Yellow River valley, and the states of the Yangtze...
. In 589 Qi was defeated by Jin. In 579 the four great powers of Qin (west), Jin (center), Chu (south) and Qi (east) met to declare a truce and limit their military strength. In 546 a similar four-power conference recognized several smaller states as satellites of Qi, Jin and Qin.
Warring States Period
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
(480–221 BC): The many wars of this age are described in the appropriate article
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
. This section covers domestic affairs. Early in the period Qi annexed a number of smaller states. Qi was one of the first states to patronize scholars. In 532 the Tian (田) clan destroyed several rival families and came to dominate the state. In 485 the Tian killed the ducal heir and fought several rival clans. In 481 the Tian chief killed a puppet duke, most of the ruler's family and a number of rival chiefs. He took control of most of the state and left the Duke with only the capital of Linzi
Linzi
Linzi was the capital of Qi from 859 BC to 221 BC during the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period in China. The ruins of the city lie in modern day Linzi District, Shandong, China. The city was one of the largest and richest in China during the Spring and Autumn Period...
and the area around Mount Tai
Mount Tai
Mount Tai is a mountain of historical and cultural significance located north of the city of Tai'an, in Shandong province, People's Republic of China. The tallest peak is the Jade Emperor Peak , which is commonly reported as tall, but is described by the PRC government as .Mount Tai is one of the...
. In 386 the Tian family replaced the Jiang family as dukes. In 221 Qi was the last of the warring states to be conquered by Qin
Qin (state)
The State of Qin was a Chinese feudal state that existed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history...
, thereby putting an end to the wars and uniting China under the Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
.
House of Jiang (姜)
- Jiang Shang, Duke Tai of QiJiang ZiyaJiang Ziya was a Chinese historical and legendary figure who resided next to the Weishui River about 3,000 years ago. A sage and military strategist, Jiang Ziya was called upon by King Wen of Zhou to serve as prime minister...
吕尚; 姜子牙 齊太公 ?-1000 BC - Lüji, Duke Ding of Qi 伋 齊丁公 999–? BC
- De, Duke Yi of Qi 得 齊乙公 ?–? BC
- Cimu, Duke Gui of Qi 慈母 齊癸公 ?–? BC
- Buchen, Duke Ai of Qi 不辰 齊哀公 ?–863 BC
- Jing, Duke Hu of Qi 靜 齊胡公 862–860 BC
- Shan, Duke Xian of Qi 山 齊獻公 859–851 BC
- Shou, Duke Wu of Qi 壽 齊武公 850–825 BC
- Wuji, Duke Li of Qi 無忌 齊厲公 824–816 BC
- Chi, Duke Wen of Qi 赤 齊文公 815–804 BC
- Shuo, Duke Cheng of Qi 脫 齊成公 803–795 BC
- Shu, Duke Zhuang of Qi 購 齊前莊公 794–731 BC
- Lufu, Duke Xi of Qi 祿甫 齊釐公 730–698 BC
- Zhu'er, Duke Xiang of Qi, son of Duke Xi, murdered by Lian Cheng and Guan Zhifu 諸兒 齊襄公 697–686 BC
- Wuzhi, younger cousin brother of Duke Xiang, created by Lian Cheng and Guan Zhifu but soon killed by Yong Ling 公孙無知 686 BC
- Xiaobai, Duke Huan of Qi, younger brother of Duke Xiang 小白 齊桓公 685–643 BC
- Wukui (Wugui), eldest son of Duke Huan, soon hanged 無詭 643 BC
- Zhao, Duke Xiao of Qi, younger brother of Wukui and heir of Duke Huan 昭 齊孝公 642–633 BC
- Pan, Duke Zhao of Qi, younger brother of Duke Xiao, it was said that his supporters murdered son of Duke Xiao 潘 齊昭公 632–613 BC
- She, son of Duke Zhao, soon murdered by his uncle Shangren 舍 613 BC
- Shangren, Duke Yi of Qi, murdered by two ministers and his heir was deposed 商人 齊懿公 612–609 BC
- Yuan, Duke Hui of Qi, elder brother of Duke Yi 元 齊惠公 608–599 BC
- Wuye, Duke Qin of Qi, son of Duke Hui 無野 齊頃公 598–582 BC
- Huan, Duke Ling of Qi, who made his son Ya who was born by his favorite concubine his heir instead of his eldest son, Guang, despite the tradition of selecting heirs. When he was ill, Guang returned and killed Ya with help of Cui Zhu and Qing Feng. He died upon hearing the fact 環 齊靈公 581–554 BC
- Guang, Duke Zhuang of Qi, had a liaison with wife of Cui Zhu and so was murdered by soldiers instructed by Cuizhu and some other ministers and generals 光 齊後莊公 553–548 BC
- Chujiu, Duke Jing of Qi , younger brother of Duke Zhuang 547–490 BC
- Tu, Yan Ruzi, youngest and favorite son as well as heir to Duke Jing, soon deposed by ministers led by Chen/Tian Qi in behalf of his eldest brother Yangsheng and killed 荼 齊晏孺子 489 BC
- Yangsheng, Duke Dao of Qi, poisoned by Bao Xi out of advice of Chen/Tian Heng 陽生 齊悼公 488–485 BC
- Ren, Duke Jian of Qi, son of Duke Dao, killed by House of Chen/Tian 壬 齊簡公 484–481 BC
- Ao, Duke Ping of Qi, younger brother of Duke Jian 驁 齊平公 480–456 BC
- Ji, Duke Xuan of Qi 積 齊宣公 455–405 BC
- Dai, Duke Kang of Qi 貸 齊康公 404–379 BC
Subjects of House of Jiang
- Tian Wan, Jing Zhong of Tian 田敬仲 陳完
- Tian Zhi 田孟夷 田穉
- Tian Min 田孟莊 田湣
- Xuwu, Wenzi of Tian 田文子 田須無 ?–545 BC
- Wuyu, Huanzi of Tian 田桓子 田無宇 ?–532 BC
- Kai, Wuzi of Tian 田武子 田開 ?–516 BC
- Qi, Xizi of Tian 田僖子 田乞 ?–484 BC
- Chang, Chengzi of Tian 田成子 田恆 ?–468 BC
- Pan, Xiangzi of Tian 田襄子 田盤
- Bai, Zhuangzi of Tian 田莊子 田白 ?–411 BC
- Daozi of Tian 田悼子 410–405 BC
- He, Duke Tai of Tian, 田太公 田和 recognized as Duke of Qi by King of Zhou 404–384 BC
Replaced House of Jiang
- He, Duke Tai of Tian 齊太公 田和 404–384 BC
- Shan, Duke Fei of Qi 齊廢公 田剡 383–375 BC
- Wu, Duke Huan of Qi 齊桓公 田午 374–357 BC
- Yinqi, King Wei of QiKing Wei of QiKing Wei of Qi , whose personal name was Tian Yinqi , was the king of the northern Chinese state of Qi during the Warring States Period, when Qi was one of the most powerful states in China. He reigned from 356 to 320 BC. or according to another source from 378 to 343 BC.His successor was King Xuan...
齊威王 田因齊 356–320 BC - Pijiang, King Xuan of Qi 齊宣王 田辟彊 319–300 BC
- Di, King Min of QiKing Min of QiKing Min of Qi was a notoriously unsuccessful king of the northeastern Chinese state of Qi during the Warring States Period...
, "Emperor of the East" 齊愍王 田地 300–283 BC - Fazhang, King Xiang of Qi 齊襄王 田法章 283–265 BC
- Jian, King of Qi 齊廢王 田建 264–221 BC
Conquered by Qin
Qi in astronomy
Qi is represented by the star Chi CapricorniChi Capricorni
Chi Capricorni is a star in the constellation Capricornus. χ Capricorni is a white A-type main sequence dwarf with an apparent magnitude of +5.30...
in asterism Twelve States, Girl mansion
Girl (Chinese constellation)
The Girl mansion is one of the Twenty-eight mansions of the Chinese constellations. It is one of the northern mansions of the Black Tortoise.- Asterisms :...
. Qi is also represented by the star 112 Herculis in asterism Left Wall, Heavenly Market enclosure
Heavenly Market enclosure
Tian Shi Yuan, the Heavenly Market Enclosure , is one of the San Yuan or Three enclosures. Stars and constellations of this group are visible during late summer and early autumn in the Northern Hemisphere . The summer triangle lies directly to the northwest.-Asterisms:The asterisms are :...
(see Chinese constellation
Chinese constellation
Chinese constellations are the way the ancient Chinese grouped the stars. They are very different from the modern IAU recognized constellations. This is because the IAU was based on Greco-Roman astronomy instead of Chinese astronomy....
).