King Li of Zhou
A tyrannical king of the Zhou dynasty whose oppressive rule led to his downfall and exile.
Quick Facts: Who was King Li of Zhou?
- Subject:
- King Li of Zhou
- Known for:
- A tyrannical king of the Zhou dynasty whose oppressive rule led to his downfall and exile.
- Born:
- 850 BC
- Died:
- 841 BC
- Century / Era:
- -850s Historical Era Archive
- Verified Source:
- 2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives
Origins & Early Life
King Li of Zhou (died in 828 BC) (Chinese: 周厲王; pinyin: Zhōu Lì Wáng), also known as King Fen of Zhou (周汾王), personal name Ji Hu, was a king of the Zhou dynasty of China. Estimated dates of his reign are 877–841 BC or 857–842 BC (Cambridge History of Ancient China). Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian depict King Li as a tyrannical and decadent king. To pay for his pleasures and vices, King Li raised taxes and caused misery among his subjects. It is said that he barred the commoners from profiting from the communal forests and lakes.
Career & Major Achievements
He instated a new law which allowed him to punish anyone who dared to speak against him by death. King Li's bad rule soon forced many peasants and soldiers into revolt, and Li was sent into exile at a place called Zhi near Linfen (842 BC). This led to He, Earl of Gong taking power, seemingly by popular uprising, ruling as regent for his son, Ji Jing. When Li died in exile in 828 BC, power was passed to that same son, who would be enthroned as King Xuan of Zhou.
Enduring Legacy & Impact
The Shen Dao fragments also depict King Li as a decadent and corrupt king. The fragments say: Formerly, during the decline of the house of Zhou, King Li brought trouble and chaos to all under heaven, the feudal lords governed by means of force, and the people desired to act as if there were no hierarchy and annex one another’s land. Queens: Shen Jiang, of the Jiang clan of Shen (申姜 姜姓), a sister of the Count of Shen; the mother of Crown Prince Jing and You Sons: Crown Prince Jing (太子靜; d. 782 BC), ruled as King Xuan of Zhou from 827 to 782 BC Prince You (王子友; d.
Chronological Milestones & Life Events
Notable Quotes by King Li of Zhou
“Formerly, during the decline of the house of Zhou, King Li brought trouble and chaos to all under heaven.”
Historical Fact-Check Quiz: King Li of Zhou
True or False: “King Li's reign was characterized by periods of stability and prosperity for the common people.”
Answer (FALSE ❌): Historical accounts describe King Li as tyrannical, raising taxes excessively and restricting commoners' access to communal resources.
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- -850 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -850
- -841 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -841
Frequently Asked Questions about King Li of Zhou
Who was King Li of Zhou and what are their primary contributions?
A tyrannical king of the Zhou dynasty whose oppressive rule led to his downfall and exile. Origins & Early Life: King Li of Zhou (died in 828 BC) (Chinese: 周厲王; pinyin: Zhōu Lì Wáng), also known as King Fen of Zhou (周汾王), personal name Ji Hu, was a king of the Zhou dynasty of China. Estimated dates of his reign are 877–841 BC or 857–842 BC (Cambridge History of Ancient China). Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian depict King Li as a tyrannical and decadent king. To pay for his pleasures and vices, King Li raised taxes and caused misery among his subjects. It is said that he barred the commoners from profiting from the communal forests and lakes.
When was King Li of Zhou born and during which historical era did they live?
King Li of Zhou was born on -850 and passed away on -841. For complete historical world events during this era, explore the -850 Chrono-Archive.
Where can I read more verified chronological archives on King Li of Zhou?
Explore verified primary sources, interactive timelines, and contemporary figures in the 2Day Chrono-Wiki encyclopedia or review the original entry on Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia