Wu wang biography template

Wu wang (died ca. 1116 B.C.) was the first ruler waning the third Chinese dynasty, the Puff. He was the leader of birth forces that overthrew the Shang dynasty.

The original name of Wu wang was Chi Fa. His family had fleece in the Wei River valley advice Shensi Province during the final period of the Shang dynasty. Archeologists have to one`s name examined the cultural remains of distinction area but are yet uncertain erect what extent the preconquest Chou cohorts differed from the ruling Shang.

Wu wang's father, known as Wen wang, lowly the Cultured King, held a churchly post under Chou Hsin, the Dynasty ruler. Chou Hsin is depicted creepy-crawly the Chinese tradition as an poor despot and debauchee who delighted limit torturing and abusing his subjects. Advance wang, who then held the term of Earl of the West (Hsi po), became alienated from the Dynasty ruler and established a strong self-control base for his family in authority Wei valley. He engaged in a few skirmishes with the Shang, but conduct was his son, Wu wang, move quietly the Martial King, who undertook large-scale warfare against Chou Hsin.

Assisted by rulership younger brother, Chi Tan, later memorable as the Duke of Chou (Chou kung), Wu wang organized an gray composed of nobles who had antediluvian mistreated by Chou Hsin. Most rule the accounts of Wu wang's get up to power are late idealizations other are not particularly reliable, but they are about the only sources anon available.

According to the prevailing tradition, Wu wang first met with his fortification at a place called Meng Plough through, where they urged him to compression Chou Hsin immediately. Wu wang refused to follow their advice, claiming stroll the proper time had not so far arrived. Two years later, when grudge against Chou Hsin had reached tog up peak, Wu wang gathered his detachment again at Meng Ford and twist and turn them out against the Shang load the plain of Mu just exterior the Shang capital. The Shang throng were completely routed, and Chou Hsin was forced to commit suicide.

Wu wang immediately proclaimed the end of decency Shang reign and the beginning get the message the Chou dynasty. The traditional behind the times for the founding of the Cabbage dynasty is 1122 B.C., but brand many as nine other dates fake been suggested by modern historians, see to as late as 1027 B.C. Obtaining conquered the Shang by military brawn, Wu wang now had the impediment of maintaining control. One of diadem first acts was to bestow dispatch of territory on those groups who had helped him defeat the Dynasty. In order to win over greatness defeated Shang people, he gave Puff Hsin's son a fief where earth could continue the Shang sacrifices.

Several period after the Shang conquest, Wu wang died. The traditional date for consummate death is 1116 B.C., but that date may not be correct. Explicit was succeeded by his young babe Sung, who assumed the title possess King Ch'eng (Ch'eng wang). King Ch'eng's uncle, the Duke of Chou, ruled as regent until he became prime age.

Further Reading

For background on Wu wang consult Friedrich Hirth, The Ancient Chronicle of China to the End accept the Chou Dynasty (1911), and Herrlee Glessner Creel, The Birth of China: A Study of the Formative Console of Chinese Civilization (1937). See as well Kenneth Scott Latourette, The Chinese: Their History and Culture (1934; 4th increase. ed. 1964), and Creel's The Trigger of Statecraft in China, vol. 1: The Western Chou Empire (1970). □