Qi (state)

Qi, or Ch'i[1] in Wade–Giles romanization, was a regional state of the Zhou dynasty in ancient China, whose rulers held titles of Hou (), then Gong, before declaring themselves independent Kings. Its capital was Linzi, located in present-day Shandong. Qi was founded shortly after the Zhou conquest of Shang, c.1046 BCE. Its first monarch was Jiang Ziya (Lord Tai; r.1046–1015 BCE), minister of King Wen and a legendary figure in Chinese culture. His family ruled Qi for several centuries before it was replaced by the Tian family in 386 BCE.[2] Qi was the final surviving state to be annexed by Qin during its unification of China.

Qi

*Dzəj
1046 BCE–221 BCE
Qi in 260 BCE
Qi in 260 BCE
Status
  • Regional State (1046–323 BCE)
  • Kingdom (323–221 BCE)
CapitalYingqiu (11 c.–866 BCE)
Bogu (866–859 BCE)
Linzi (859–221 BCE)
Religion
GovernmentMonarchy
Lord of Qi 
 685–643 BCE
Duke Huan of Qi
 547–490 BCE
Duke Jing of Qi
Chancellor 
 685–645 BCE
Guan Zhong
 556–500 BCE
Yan Ying
History 
 Enfeoffment of Duke Tai
1046 BCE
 Conquered by Qin
221 BCE
CurrencyKnife money
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Pugu
Qin dynasty
Qi
"Qi" in seal script (top), Traditional (middle), and Simplified (bottom) Chinese characters
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
The Great Wall of Qi on Dafeng Mountain

History

Bronze knife-shaped coins of State of Qi, collected in Shandong Museum

Foundation

During the Zhou conquest of Shang, Jiang Ziya, a native of Ju County served as the chief minister to King Wu, the same position he had held in service to King Wu's father. Following the Zhou victory, the lands comprising much of the Shandong peninsula and some nearby surrounds were established as the state of Qi, with Jiang charged with ruling and defending them. After King Wu's death, Ziya remained loyal to the Duke of Zhou's regency during the Three Guards' failed rebellion. The Shang prince Wu Geng had joined the revolt along with the Dongyi polities of Yan, Xu, and Pugu, located within the boundaries of Qi. These were suppressed by 1039 BCE, but the Bamboo Annals suggest that the native people of Pugu continued to revolt for about another decade before being destroyed a second time c.1026.

Transmitted documents from the Western Zhou period are scant, but it is known that King Yi of Zhou (r.865–858 BCE) attacked Qi and boiled Duke Ai to death. During the time of King Xuan of Zhou (r. 827–782), there was a local succession struggle. Throughout this period, many of the native Dongyi peoples were absorbed into the Zhou cultural sphere.

Spring and Autumn period

Sacrificial horses discovered in the tomb of Duke Jing of Qi

The succession crisis following the violent death of King You of Zhou led to a dramatic and unrecoverable loss of political and military authority in the Zhou royal court. Under this new geopolitical situation, Qi rose to prominence under Duke Huan of Qi (r. 685–643 BCE). He and his minister Guan Zhong strengthened the state by consolidating power in the hands of the central government at the expense of the landed aristocracy, establishing a system of counties (; xiàn) ruled directly by ministers of the state court.[3] Qi annexed 35 neighboring polities – including Tan – and brought others into submission. Guan Zhong's administrative reforms also included state monopolies on salt and iron, and in general were characteristic of the later political philosophy of Legalism.[4]:526

In 667 BCE, the lords of Qi, Lu, Song, Chen, and Zheng assembled in one of the first great interstate conferences, and Duke Huan was elected as their leader. Subsequently, King Hui of Zhou pronounced him (; 'big brother[5]'), the "hegemon-protector" sworn to protect the royal house of Zhou and uphold the authority of the Son of Heaven (the Zhou king). The first of five such hegemons,[6] he earned a tribute from the other states, and had the honour of paying the royal court a larger tribute than anyone else. His calls to arms were as binding as the king's own. Using this authority, during the first eleven years of his hegemony, Duke Huan intervened in a power struggle in Lu; protected Yan from encroaching Western Rong nomads; drove off Northern Di nomads after their invasions of Wey and Xing, providing the people with provisions and protective garrison units; and led an alliance of eight states to conquer Cai and thereby block the northward expansion of Chu.[7]

After Duke Huan's death, a war of succession between rival claimants greatly weakened Qi and ending its reign of hegemony. In 632 BCE, Qi helped Jin defeat Chu at the Battle of Chengpu, only to be defeated by Jin themselves some thirty years later. In 579, the four great powers of Qin, Jin, Chu, and Qi met to declare a truce and limit their military strength.

Warring States period - Tian Qi

Early in the period, Qi annexed a number of smaller states. Qi was one of the first states to patronize scholars. In 532 BCE, the Tian clan destroyed several rival families and came to dominate the state. In 485, the Tian clan killed the heir to the house of Jiang and fought several rival clans. Four years later, the Tian chief killed a puppet ruler, most of his family, and a number of rival chiefs. He took control of most of the state and left the monarch with only the capital of Linzi and the area around Mount Tai. In 386, the house of Tian fully replaced the house of Jiang as rulers of Qi. The Warring States period ended with the Qin conquest of Qi, last to fall, in 222. So ended Qi, and the era of Imperial China began.

Culture of Qi

Before Qin unified China, each state's customs, culture, dialects, and orthography had pronounced differences. According to the Yu Gong or Tribute of Yu, composed in the fourth or fifth century BCE and included in the Classic of Documents, there were nine distinct cultural regions of China, which are described in detail. The work focuses on the travels of the titular sage, Yu the Great, throughout each of the regions.

Other texts also discussed these cultural variations. One of these texts was The Book of Master Wu, written in response to a query by Marquis Wu of Wei on how to cope with the other states. Wu Qi, the author of the work, declared that the government and nature of the people were reflective of the terrain of the environment in which they inhabited. Of Qi, he said:

Although Qi's troops are numerous, their organization is unstable... The people of Qi are by nature unyielding and their country prosperous, but the ruler and officials are arrogant and care nothing for the people. The state's policies are not uniform and not strictly enforced. Salaries and wages are unfair and unevenly distributed, causing disharmony and disunity. Qi's army is arrayed with their heaviest hitters at the front while the rest follow behind, so that even when their forces appear mighty, they are in reality fragile. To defeat them, we should divide our army into three columns and have two attack the left and right flanks of Qi's army. Once their battle formations are thrown into disarray, the central column should be in position to attack and victory will follow.

Wu Qi, Wuzi

While visiting Qi, Confucius was deeply impressed with perfection of performance of Shao music () therein.[8]

During the Warring States period, Qi was famous for Linzi's Jixia Academy, where renowned scholars of the era from all over China would visit. Modern scholarship understands the Jixia Academy not to be a physical institution, but an informal collaboration of sponsored scholars engaged in intellectual work. One impressive surviving achievement of the Jixia school of thought is the Yanzi Chunqiu.[9]:283–285

Qi architecture

Remains of Ancient Linzi city sewer passing underneath the former city wall of the Qi kingdom.

The state of Qi was known for having well organized cities that were nearly rectangular in shape, with roads that were neatly knit into a grid-like pattern. The palace was strategically positioned facing the south. To the left (eastwardly direction) of the palace resided the ancestral temple, to its right (westward) the temple of the gods, both one hundred paces away. This ensured that balance was achieved. In front of the palace was the court also one hundred paces away and to the back of the palace was the city. This type of layout influenced greatly the way cities were designed in subsequent generations.

Smaller estates known as chengyi (城邑) were abundant throughout Qi. They typically stretched 450 meters from south to north and 395 meters from east to west. The perimeter was usually surrounded by a wall with the living headquarters situated within and a nearly perfect square-shaped courtyard occupying the center.

The Great Wall of Qi (齊長城) is the oldest existing Great Wall in China.[10] Construction of the wall started in 441 BCE to defend against attacks from the states of Jin and Yue.[11] Construction ended during the Warring States period, with the wall enhancing Qi's defense against enemies states like Ju, Lu, and Chu.[12] The wall stretches from Guangli village of today's Changqing District, Jinan, running across the mountain ridges of central Shandong Province to the Yellow Sea in the present-day city of Qingdao.[12] Its total length has been estimated at about 600 km (370 mi).[13] Most of the wall is still visible.

Qi in astronomy

Qi is represented by the star Chi Capricorni in the "Twelve States" asterism in the "Girl" lunar mansion in the "Black Turtle" symbol. Qi is also represented by the star 112 Herculis in the "Left Wall" asterism in the "Heavenly Market" enclosure.[14]

Rulers

House of Jiang

Title Name Reign (BC) Relationship Notes
Duke Tai
齊太公
Shang
11th centuryEnfeoffed by King Wu of Zhou, with capital at Yingqiu
Duke Ding
齊丁公
Ji
10th century5th-generation descendant of Duke TaiTraditionally believed to be son of Duke Tai
Duke Yǐ
齊乙公
De
10th centurySon of Duke Ding
Duke Gui
齊癸公
Cimu
慈母
c. 10th centurySon of Duke Yǐ
Duke Ai
齊哀公
Buchen
不辰
9th centurySon of Duke GuiBoiled to death by King Yi of Zhou
Duke Hu
齊胡公
Jing
9th centurySon of Duke GuiMoved capital to Bogu, killed by Duke Xian
Duke Xian
齊獻公
Shan
859?–851Son of Duke GuiMoved capital back to Linzi
Duke Wu
齊武公
Shou
850–825Son of Duke Xian
Duke Li
齊厲公
Wuji
無忌
824–816Son of Duke WuKilled by supporters of Duke Hu's son.
Duke Wen
齊文公
Chi
815–804Son of Duke Li
Duke Cheng
齊成公
Yue
803–795Son of Duke Wen
Duke Zhuang I
齊前莊公
Gou
794–731Son of Duke ChengReigned for 64 years
Duke Xi
齊僖公
Lufu
祿甫
730–698Son of Duke Zhuang I
Duke Xiang
齊襄公
Zhu'er
諸兒
697–686Son of Duke XiCommitted incest with sister Wen Jiang, murdered her husband Duke Huan of Lu, conquered the state of Ji, murdered by cousin Wuzhi
noneWuzhi
無知
686Cousin of Duke Xiang, grandson of Duke Zhuang IKilled by Yong Lin.
Duke Huan
齊桓公
Xiaobai
小白
685–643Younger brother of Duke XiangFirst of the Five Hegemons, when Qi reached zenith of its power. Starved to death by ministers
noneWukui or Wugui
無虧 or 無詭
643Son of Duke HuanKilled by supporters of Duke Xiao
Duke Xiao
齊孝公
Zhao
642–633Son of Duke HuanCrown prince of Qi
Duke Zhao
齊昭公
Pan
632–613Son of Duke HuanHis supporters murdered the son of Duke Xiao
noneShe
613Son of Duke ZhaoMurdered by uncle Shangren
Duke Yì
齊懿公
Shangren
商人
612–609Uncle of She, son of Duke HuanKilled by two ministers
Duke Hui
齊惠公
Yuan
608–599Son of Duke HuanDefeated Long Di invaders
Duke Qing
齊頃公
Wuye
無野
598–582Son of Duke HuiDefeated by Jin at the Battle of An
Duke Ling
齊靈公
Huan
581–554Son of Duke QingAnnexed the State of Lai; defeated by Jin at the Battle of Pingyin, capital Linzi burned
Duke Zhuang II
齊後莊公
Guang
553–548Son of Duke LingAscended throne by killing Prince Ya with the help of Cui Zhu; committed adultery with Cui's wife, killed by Cui
Duke Jing
齊景公
Chujiu
杵臼
547–490Half brother of Duke Zhuang IIKilled Cui Zhu. Had famous statesman Yan Ying as prime minister
An Ruzi
安孺子
Tu
489Youngest son of Duke JingDeposed by Tian Qi and killed by Duke Dao. Also called Yan Ruzi
Duke Dao
齊悼公
Yangsheng
陽生
488–485Son of Duke JingKilled by a minister, possibly Tian Heng
Duke Jian
齊簡公
Ren
484–481Son of Duke DaoKilled by Tian Heng
Duke Ping
齊平公
Ao
480–456Brother of Duke Jian
Duke Xuan
齊宣公
Ji
455–405Son of Duke Ping
Duke Kang
齊康公
Dai
404–386Son of Duke XuanDeposed by Duke Tai of Tian Qi, died in 379

House of Tian

Title Name Reign (BC) Relationship Notes
Duke Tai
齊太公
Tian He
田和
404–384Son of Tian BaiOfficially recognized as Qi ruler in 386 BC
noneTian Yan
田剡
383–375Son of Duke TaiKilled by Duke Huan.
Duke Huan
齊桓公
Tian Wu
田午
374–357Brother of Tian Yan
King Wei
齊威王
Tian Yinqi
田因齊
356–320Son of Duke HuanMost powerful Qi ruler of the Warring States.
King Xuan
齊宣王
Tian Bijiang
田辟彊
319–300Son of King Wei
King Min
齊愍王
Tian Di
田地
300–283Son of King XuanTemporarily declared himself "Emperor of the East".
King Xiang
齊襄王
Tian Fazhang
田法章
283–265Son of King Min
noneTian Jian
田建
264–221Son of King XiangQi conquered by Qin

Famous people

All dates are BCE

References

Citations

  1. "Qi – ancient state, China [771–221 BCE]". Encyclopedia Britannica. 2008.
  2. Xunzi (2003) [c. 230s BCE]. Burton Watson (ed.). Xunzi: Basic Writings. Columbia University Press. p. 1. ISBN 9780231521314.
  3. Cho-Yun Hsu, "The Springs and Autumns Period", in Cambridge History of Ancient China 1999, pp. 553–554.
  4. Kiser, Edgar; Cai, Young (2003). "War and bureaucratization in Qin China: Exploring an anomalous case". American Sociological Review. 68 (4): 511–39. doi:10.2307/1519737. JSTOR 1519737.
  5. Goldin, Paul R. (2021). "Etymological Notes on Early Chinese Aristocratic Titles". T'oung Pao. Leiden: Brill. 107: 475–480. doi:10.1163/15685322-10703005.
  6. Cho-Yun Hsu, "The Springs and Autumns Period", in Cambridge History of Ancient China 1999, p. 555.
  7. Cho-Yun Hsu, "The Springs and Autumns Period", in Cambridge History of Ancient China 1999, pp. 555–556.
  8. Confucius (attributed). "17 ("Shu er"):14". Analects 論語.
  9. Weingarten, Oliver (2015). "Debates around Jixia: Argument and Intertextuality in Warring States Writings Associated with Qi". Journal of the American Oriental Society. 135 (2): 283–307. JSTOR 10.7817/jameroriesoci.135.2.283.
  10. Christopher Knowles (2001). Fodor's Exploring China. Fodor's, original from the University of Virginia. p. 56. ISBN 0-676-90161-1.
    Atlas of World Heritage: China. Long River Press. 2008. p. 74. ISBN 978-1-59265-060-6.
  11. Pines, Yuri (2018). "The Earliest 'Great Wall'? Long Wall of Qi Revisited" (PDF). Journal of the American Oriental Society. 138 (4): 743–762. doi:10.7817/jameroriesoci.138.4.0743.
  12. "Ancient sites from Zhou Dynasty discovered in the Qi Great Wall in Shandong". Cultural China. 2 February 2009. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012.
  13. "List of heritage sites in Shandong" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2007-10-31. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  14. Chen Huihua (陳輝樺), ed. (24 Jun 2006). 中國古代的星象系統 (54): 天市左垣、市樓. Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy 天文教育資訊網 (in Chinese).
  15. Jens Østergård Petersen (1992). "What's in a Name? On the Sources concerning Sun Wu". Asia Major. Third Series. Academica Sinica. 5 (1): 1–31. JSTOR 41645475.

Sources

  • Michael Loewe; Edward L. Shaughnessy, eds. (2006) [1999]. The Cambridge History of Ancient China: From the Origins of Civilization to 221 BC. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-47030-8.

Further reading

36.865°N 118.340°E / 36.865; 118.340

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