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Zhou dynasty, dynasty that ruled ancient China for some eight centuries, establishing the distinctive political and cultural characteristics that were to be identified with China for the next two millennia. The Zhou dynasty began in 1046 BCE and ended in 256 BCE.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Ruled ancient China from around 1046 BCE to 256 BCE. The Zhou Dynasty was one of the most influential and significant periods in Chinese history, spanning approximately 790 years.
- Founded by King Wu after overthrowing the Shang Dynasty. The Zhou Dynasty’s foundation is closely associated with King Wu, who belonged to the Ji family.
- Operated on a feudal system during the Western Zhou period. The Western Zhou period was characterized by a well-defined feudal system, where the king, as the central authority, granted territories to loyal vassals, typically family members or nobles, in exchange for their loyalty and military support.
- Introduced the concept of the “Mandate of Heaven” One of the most significant contributions of the Zhou Dynasty to Chinese political and philosophical thought was the concept of the “Mandate of Heaven” (Tianming).
- Mandate of Heaven. The concept of the Mandate of Heaven (Tianming) was a crucial political and philosophical ideology developed during the Zhou Dynasty.
- Feudal System. The Zhou Dynasty implemented a feudal system of governance, which was instrumental in maintaining control over the vast territories that constituted ancient China.
- Iron Metallurgy. The Zhou Dynasty witnessed significant advancements in iron metallurgy, marking a crucial technological breakthrough in ancient China.
- Book of Documents and Book of Songs. The “Book of Documents” (Shujing) and the “Book of Songs” (Shijing) are two essential texts compiled during the Zhou Dynasty.
The Zhou dynasty (; Chinese: 周) was a royal dynasty of China that existed for 789 years from c. 1046 BC until 256 BC, the longest such reign in Chinese history. During the Western Zhou period (c. 1046 – 771 BC), the royal house, surnamed Ji, had military control over ancient China.
Dec 6, 2023 · During its first years, known as the Western Zhou (c. 1050–771 B.C.E.) because its capital was located in western China, the Zhou dynasty mirrored the Shang in ruling as a centralized empire. Since its territory was vast—larger than the Shang—the early Zhou kings developed a form of feudalism with regions ruled by appointed relatives and ...
Definition. The Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE) was among the most culturally significant of the early Chinese dynasties and the longest lasting of any in China's history, divided into two periods: Western Zhou (1046-771 BCE) and Eastern Zhou (771-256 BCE).
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At the heart of this historical tapestry is the Zhou Dynasty, an era that shaped Chinese civilization and left an indelible mark on world history. This dynasty was a crucible of political innovation, cultural flourishing, and philosophical thought that still resonates today.
