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Zhao (state)
Encyclopedia
Zhao was a significant Chinese
state
during the Warring States Period
, along with six others. At the beginning of the Warring States Period, Zhao was one of the weakest states but gained strength during the reign of King Wuling of Zhao
: by the end of the Period, Zhao was the only state strong enough to oppose the mighty Qin
.
Its territory included areas in modern Inner Mongolia
, Hebei
, Shanxi
and Shaanxi
provinces. The state of Zhao bordered the Xiongnu
(Huns
), the states of Qin
, Wei
and Yan
. Its capital was Handan
(邯郸), suburb of modern-day Handan City in Hebei
.
Zhao remained relatively weak until the military reforms of King Wuling of Zhao
(325-299 BC). The soldiers of Zhao were ordered to dress like their Xiongnu
neighbours and replace war chariots with cavalry archers. This proved to be a brilliant reform, along with advanced technology of the Chinese states and nomadic tactics, the Cavalry of Zhao became a significant force to reckon with in the warring states.
Zhao demonstrated its enhanced military prowess by conquering the State of Zhongshan
in 295 BC
after a prolonged war, and annexing territory from its neighbors Wei, Yan and Qin. The cavalry of Zhao occasionally intruded into the state of Qi in campaigns against the state of Chu.
Several brilliant military commanders of the whole period appeared concurrently, including Lian Po
, Zhao She
(趙奢) and Li Mu
. Lian Po was instrumental in defending against the Qin. Zhao She (趙奢) was most active in the east; he led the invasion of Yan state
. Li Mu was responsible for defending against the Xiongnu
and later Qin.
.
An alliance with Wei begun in 287 BC against Qin ended in defeat at Huayang in 273 BC. The struggle then culminated in the bloodiest battle of the whole period, the Battle of Changping
in 260 BC. The troops of Zhao were completely defeated by Qin. Although the forces of Wei saved Handan from a follow-up siege by the victorious Qin, Zhao would never recover from the huge loss of men in the battle.
In 229 BC, invasions led by the Qin general Wang Jian
were opposed by Li Mu
and his subordinate officer Sima Shang (司馬尚) until 228 BC. According to some accounts, King Qian of Zhao, ordered the execution of Li Mu and relieved Sima Shang from his duties, due to faulty advice from disloyal court officials and Qin infiltrators.
In 228 BC, Qin captured King Youmiu and conquered Zhao. Prince Jia, the stepbrother of King Qian, was proclaimed king at Dai and led the last Zhao forces against the Qin. The regime lasted until 222 BC when the Qin army captured him and defeated his forces at Dai.
In 154 BC, an unrelated Zhao (赵), headed by Liu Sui (劉遂), the Prince of Zhao kingdom, participated in the unsuccessful Revolt of the Seven Kingdoms (七国之乱) against the newly installed second Emperor of the China's centralist Han Dynasty.
. The opinions are :
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...
state
Sovereign state
A sovereign state, or simply, state, is a state with a defined territory on which it exercises internal and external sovereignty, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also normally understood to be a state which is neither...
during the 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...
, along with six others. At the beginning of the Warring States Period, Zhao was one of the weakest states but gained strength during the reign of King Wuling of Zhao
King Wuling of Zhao
King Wuling of Zhao reigned in the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period of Chinese history...
: by the end of the Period, Zhao was the only state strong enough to oppose the mighty 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...
.
Its territory included areas in modern Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, located in the northern region of the country. Inner Mongolia shares an international border with the countries of Mongolia and the Russian Federation...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
and Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
provinces. The state of Zhao bordered the Xiongnu
Xiongnu
The Xiongnu were ancient nomadic-based people that formed a state or confederation north of the agriculture-based empire of the Han Dynasty. Most of the information on the Xiongnu comes from Chinese sources...
(Huns
Huns
The Huns were a group of nomadic people who, appearing from east of the Volga River, migrated into Europe c. AD 370 and established the vast Hunnic Empire there. Since de Guignes linked them with the Xiongnu, who had been northern neighbours of China 300 years prior to the emergence of the Huns,...
), the states 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...
, Wei
Wei (state)
The State of Wei was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state during the Warring States Period of Chinese history. Its territory lay between the states of Qin and Qi and included parts of modern day Henan, Hebei, Shanxi and Shandong...
and 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...
. Its capital was Handan
Handan
Handan is a prefecture-level city located in the southwestern part of Hebei Province of China.- History :Handan was the capital of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period , after the capital moved from Zhongmu. The city was conquered by the State of Qin after the virtual annexation of...
(邯郸), suburb of modern-day Handan City in Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
.
The Rise of Zhao
At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, the state of Jin was divided up between three powerful ministers, the Zhao family patriarch being one of them. In BC 403, the king of Zhou formally recognized the existence of the State of Zhao along with two other States, Han and Wei, marking the start of the Warring States Period. In the beginning, Zhao was one of the weakest States. It lacked the geographical advantage of Qin, the military strength of Wei, the vast terrain of Chu, and the richness and prosperity of Qi. Surrounded by strong adversaries from all directions, Zhao fought hard for its survival.Zhao remained relatively weak until the military reforms of King Wuling of Zhao
King Wuling of Zhao
King Wuling of Zhao reigned in the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period of Chinese history...
(325-299 BC). The soldiers of Zhao were ordered to dress like their Xiongnu
Xiongnu
The Xiongnu were ancient nomadic-based people that formed a state or confederation north of the agriculture-based empire of the Han Dynasty. Most of the information on the Xiongnu comes from Chinese sources...
neighbours and replace war chariots with cavalry archers. This proved to be a brilliant reform, along with advanced technology of the Chinese states and nomadic tactics, the Cavalry of Zhao became a significant force to reckon with in the warring states.
Zhao demonstrated its enhanced military prowess by conquering the State of Zhongshan
Zhongshan (state)
Zhongshan was a Di state created by the nomadic Xianyu tribe in China during the later Zhou Dynasty, in the Chinese written sources it is referred to as a state of the Bai Di .)...
in 295 BC
295 BC
Year 295 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Rullianus and Mus...
after a prolonged war, and annexing territory from its neighbors Wei, Yan and Qin. The cavalry of Zhao occasionally intruded into the state of Qi in campaigns against the state of Chu.
Several brilliant military commanders of the whole period appeared concurrently, including Lian Po
Lian Po
Lian Po was a prominent military General of Zhao during the Warring States period of China. Bai Qi, Wang Jian, Li Mu and he were commonly known as the Four Greatest Generals in Warring States....
, Zhao She
Zhao She
Zhao She was a Chinese bureaucrat and general in the third century BC.Zhao She was one of the sons of Zhao He , King Huiwen of the State of Zhao. He was employed as a land tax collector...
(趙奢) and Li Mu
Li Mu
Li Mu was a prominent military General of Zhao during the Warring States period of China. He, together with Bai Qi, Wang Jian, and Lian Po were known as the Four Greatest Generals in Warring States era.-Career:...
. Lian Po was instrumental in defending against the Qin. Zhao She (趙奢) was most active in the east; he led the invasion of Yan state
Yan (state)
Yān was a state during the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history. Its capital was Ji...
. Li Mu was responsible for defending against the Xiongnu
Xiongnu
The Xiongnu were ancient nomadic-based people that formed a state or confederation north of the agriculture-based empire of the Han Dynasty. Most of the information on the Xiongnu comes from Chinese sources...
and later Qin.
Fall of Zhao
By the end of the Warring States Period, Zhao was the only state strong enough to oppose the powerful Qin stateQin (state)
The State of Qin was a Chinese feudal state that existed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history...
.
An alliance with Wei begun in 287 BC against Qin ended in defeat at Huayang in 273 BC. The struggle then culminated in the bloodiest battle of the whole period, the Battle of Changping
Battle of Changping
The Battle of Changping was a military campaign that took place during the Warring States Period in China. It concluded in 260 BC with a decisive victory by the State of Qin over the State of Zhao, and ultimately allowed Qin to conquer and unify China decades later...
in 260 BC. The troops of Zhao were completely defeated by Qin. Although the forces of Wei saved Handan from a follow-up siege by the victorious Qin, Zhao would never recover from the huge loss of men in the battle.
In 229 BC, invasions led by the Qin general Wang Jian
Wang Jian (Qin)
Wang Jian , a military leader of Qin in the Warring States Period. He was born in Guanzhong county, city of Pinyang, Dongxiang village .-Major Achievement:...
were opposed by Li Mu
Li Mu
Li Mu was a prominent military General of Zhao during the Warring States period of China. He, together with Bai Qi, Wang Jian, and Lian Po were known as the Four Greatest Generals in Warring States era.-Career:...
and his subordinate officer Sima Shang (司馬尚) until 228 BC. According to some accounts, King Qian of Zhao, ordered the execution of Li Mu and relieved Sima Shang from his duties, due to faulty advice from disloyal court officials and Qin infiltrators.
In 228 BC, Qin captured King Youmiu and conquered Zhao. Prince Jia, the stepbrother of King Qian, was proclaimed king at Dai and led the last Zhao forces against the Qin. The regime lasted until 222 BC when the Qin army captured him and defeated his forces at Dai.
In 154 BC, an unrelated Zhao (赵), headed by Liu Sui (劉遂), the Prince of Zhao kingdom, participated in the unsuccessful Revolt of the Seven Kingdoms (七国之乱) against the newly installed second Emperor of the China's centralist Han Dynasty.
List of Zhao rulers
- Marquess XianMarquess Xian of ZhaoMarquess Xian of Zhao was a leader of the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period of Chinese history .Born Zhào Huàn , he was the son of Zhào Zhōu and Daìjùn by Zhào Huán-zĭ , who usurped Zhào Huàn’s position and installed himself as ruler.A year later, Zhào Huán-zĭ died and the local...
(獻侯), personal name Huan (浣), ruled 424 BC424 BCYear 424 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Tribunate of Crassus, Fidenas, Rutilus and Iullus...
–409 BC409 BCYear 409 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Cossus and Medullinus... - Marquess LieMarquess Lie of ZhaoMarquess Lie of Zhao was a ruler of the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period of Chinese history . Born Zhào Jí , his father was Marquess Xian of Zhao ....
(烈侯), personal name Ji (籍), son of previous, ruled 409 BC409 BCYear 409 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Cossus and Medullinus...
–387 BC387 BCYear 387 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Tribunate of Papirius, Fidenas, Mamercinus, Lanatus and Poplicola...
, noted for several reforms - Marquess JingMarquess Jing of ZhaoMarquess Jing of ZhaoChinese NamePinyinZhào ZhāngTraditional Chinese趙章Simplified Chinese赵章Family nameZhàoPosthumous name 趙敬侯/赵敬侯 CountryState of Zhao Livedc. 410–375 BCE Reigned386–375 BCE...
(敬侯), personal name Zhang (章), son of previous, ruled 387 BC387 BCYear 387 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Tribunate of Papirius, Fidenas, Mamercinus, Lanatus and Poplicola...
–375 BC375 BCYear 375 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the First year without Tribunate or Consulship... - Marquess ChengMarquess Cheng of ZhaoMarquess Cheng of ZhaoChinese NamePinyinZhào ZhòngTraditional Chinese趙種Simplified Chinese赵种Family nameZhàoPosthumous name 趙成侯/赵成侯 CountryState of Zhao Lived?–350 BCE Reigned374–350 BCE...
(成侯), personal name Zhong (種), son of previous, ruled 375 BC375 BCYear 375 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the First year without Tribunate or Consulship...
–350 BC350 BCYear 350 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Laenas and Scipio... - Marquess Su (肅侯), personal name Yu (語), son of previous, ruled 350 BC350 BCYear 350 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Laenas and Scipio...
–326 BC326 BCYear 326 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Visolus and Cursor... - King WulingKing Wuling of ZhaoKing Wuling of Zhao reigned in the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period of Chinese history...
(武靈王), personal name Yong (雍), son of previous, ruled 326 BC326 BCYear 326 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Visolus and Cursor...
–Spring 299 BC299 BCYear 299 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Paetinus and Torquatus/Corvus... - King Huiwen (惠文王), personal name He (何), son of previous, ruled Spring 299 BC299 BCYear 299 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Paetinus and Torquatus/Corvus...
–266 BC266 BCYear 266 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Pera and Pictor... - King Xiaocheng (孝成王), personal name Dan (丹), son of previous, ruled 266 BC266 BCYear 266 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Pera and Pictor...
–245 BC245 BCYear 245 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Buteo and Bulbus... - King Daoxiang (悼襄王), personal name Yan (偃), son of previous, ruled 245 BC245 BCYear 245 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Buteo and Bulbus...
–236 BC236 BCYear 236 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Caudinus and Varus... - King Youmiu (幽繆王), personal name Qian (遷), son of previous, ruled 236 BC236 BCYear 236 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Caudinus and Varus...
–228 BC228 BCYear 228 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Ruga and Verrucosus... - King Dai (代王), personal name Jia (嘉), half-brother of previous, ruled 228 BC228 BCYear 228 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Ruga and Verrucosus...
–222 BC222 BCYear 222 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Marcellus and Calvus...
Zhao in astronomy
There is two opinions about the representing star of Zhao in Chinese astronomyChinese astronomy
Astronomy in China has a very long history, with historians considering that "they [the Chinese] were the most persistent and accurate observers of celestial phenomena anywhere in the world before the Arabs."...
. The opinions are :
- Zhao is represented with the star Lambda HerculisLambda HerculisLambda Herculis is a star inthe constellation Hercules.It has the traditional name Maasym .In Chinese, , meaning Left Wall of Heavenly Market Enclosure, refers to an asterism which is represent eleven old states in China which is marking the left borderline of the enclosure, consisting of λ...
in asterism Left Wall, Heavenly Market enclosureHeavenly Market enclosureTian 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 :...
., and also represented with two stars 26 Capricorni ( , the First Star of Zhao) and 27 Capricorni ( , the Second Star of Zhao) in in asterism Twelve States, GirlGirl (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 :...
mansion. (see Chinese constellationChinese constellationChinese 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....
). - Zhao is represented with the star Lambda HerculisLambda HerculisLambda Herculis is a star inthe constellation Hercules.It has the traditional name Maasym .In Chinese, , meaning Left Wall of Heavenly Market Enclosure, refers to an asterism which is represent eleven old states in China which is marking the left borderline of the enclosure, consisting of λ...
, and also represented with star "m Capricorni".
See also
- The kingdoms of Former ZhaoHan ZhaoThe Han Zhao , or Former Zhao, or Northern Han , was a Southern Xiongnu state during Sixteen Kingdoms period coeval with the Chinese Jin Dynasty...
and Later ZhaoLater ZhaoThe Later Zhao was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty in China. It was founded by the Shi family of the Jie ethnicity...
of the Sixteen KingdomsSixteen KingdomsThe Sixteen Kingdoms, or less commonly the Sixteen States, were a collection of numerous short-lived sovereign states in China proper and its neighboring areas from 304 to 439 AD after the retreat of the Jin Dynasty to South China and before the establishment of the Northern Dynasties...