Song (state)

Quick Facts: Who was Song (state)?

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Song (state)

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Ancient Chinese feudal state during the Zhou dynasty, significant for its lineage claims.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Song was an ancient Chinese state during the Zhou dynasty with its capital at Shangqiu. The state was founded soon after King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang dynasty to establish the Zhou dynasty in 1046 BC. It was conquered by the state of Qi in 286 BC, during the Warring States period. Confucius is traditionally considered to have been a descendant of a Song nobleman who moved to the state of Lu. Di Xin was the younger brother of Zi Qi—who was said in legends to have ruled Gija Joseon in the 11th century BCE—and Zi Yan (子衍), later rulers of Zhou's vassal state Song, father of Wu Geng.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

After King Wu of Zhou overthrew the last ruler of Shang, marking the transition to the Zhou dynasty, the victor was honor-bound by a stricture of feudal etiquette known as Er Wang San Ke (二王三恪) to allow the defeated house of Shang to continue offering sacrifices to their ancestors. As a result, for a time Shang became a vassal state of Zhou, with the Shang heir Wu Geng allowed to continue ancestor worship at Yin. However, after King Wu's death, Wu Geng fomented a rebellion with an alliance of eastern states, and was killed by the Duke of Zhou. Another Shang royal family descendant, Weizi, was granted land at Shangqiu, the 'hill of Shang', where the capital of the new state of Song was built. A sign of its descent from the Shang is that the state of Song in its early period followed the succession principle of agnatic seniority, rather than agnatic primogeniture like the Zhou.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 701 BC, a political marriage between Lady Yong of Song (宋雍氏) and Duke Zhuang of Zheng—as well as the capture of Zhai Zhong (祭仲), a leading warrior—empowered Song to manipulate the administration of Zheng. In 651, Duke Huan of Song (宋桓公) died, leaving the state to be ruled by Duke Xiang, who reigned from 651 to 637. He was considered a hegemon by some, but was unable to maintain that role. He eventually fell to the troops of Chu. In 355, Dai Ticheng (戴剔成), a distant relative of the ruling royal line and once a minister of Duke Huan II, managed to usurp the throne.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1046: 1046 Milestone — The state was founded soon after King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang dynasty to establish the Zhou dynasty in 1046 BC.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Song (state)

True or False: “The state of Song was conquered by the state of Qi in 286 BC during the Warring States period.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text explicitly states that the kingdom was finally annexed by Qi in 286 BC.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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