Origins & Early Life

King Zhaoxiang of Qin (Chinese: 秦昭襄王; 325–251 BC), also abbreviated as King Zhao of Qin (秦昭王), born Ying Ji (嬴稷), was a king of the state of Qin during the Eastern Zhou dynasty, reigning from 306 BC to 251 BC. He was the son of King Huiwen and the younger brother of King Wu. King Zhaoxiang reigned as the king of Qin for 57 years, and was responsible for the state of Qin achieving strategic dominance over the other six major states. During his reign, Qin captured the Chu capital Ying in 278 BC, conquered the Xirong state of Yiqu in 272 BC, defeated a 450,000-strong Zhao army at Changping in 260 BC, and overthrew the Eastern Zhou dynasty in 256 BC.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

These aggressive territorial expansions and the strategic weakening of other rival states paved the path for Qin's eventual unification of China proper three decades later by his great-grandson Ying Zheng, later known as Qin Shi Huang. In King Zhaoxiang's 1st Year, 306 BC, Qin returned Wusui to Han, Qin sends General Xiang Shou (向壽) to pacify Yiyang (宜陽, Captured the year before in 307 BC), Generals Gan Mao (甘茂) and Chulizi are sent to attack Wei's Puban, Gan Mao would flee into Qi. In his 3rd Year, 304 BC, The King met with King Huai of Chu...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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