Wu (state)

Quick Facts: Who was Wu (state)?

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Wu (state)

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Ancient powerful state at the mouth of the Yangtze River during China's Spring and Autumn period.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Wu (Chinese: 吳; pinyin: Wú, Old Chinese: *ŋʷˤa) was a state during the Western Zhou dynasty and the Spring and Autumn period, outside the Zhou cultural sphere. It was also known as Gouwu (句吳) or Gongwu (工/攻吳) from the pronunciation of the local language. Wu was located at the mouth of the Yangtze River east of the State of Chu and south of the State of Qi. Its first capital was at Meili (梅里, in modern Wuxi), then Helü's City (闔閭, in present-day Xueyan town near Wuxi), and later moved to Gusu (姑蘇, probably in modern Suzhou). A founding myth of Wu, first recorded by Sima Qian in the Han dynasty, traced its royal lineage to Taibo, a relative of King Wen of Zhou.

Career & Major Achievements

According to the Records of the Grand Historian, Taibo was the oldest son of Gugong Danfu and the elder uncle of King Wen who started the Zhou dynasty. Gugong Danfu had three sons named Taibo, Zhongyong, and Jili. Taibo was the oldest of three brothers, Jili being the youngest. Realizing that his youngest brother, Jili, was favored by his father to inherit the throne of Predynastic Zhou, the older brothers Taibo and Zhongyong left Zhou to avoid conflict and settled southeast to Wu with a group of followers loyal to him and his brother Zhongyong. They established their first capital at Meili (梅里), believed to be today's Meicun in Wuxi.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Taibo's youngest brother Jili who was eventually the heir of the throne became the father of King Wen, who is considered the founder of the Zhou dynasty. Little is known about the history of Wu before the Spring and Autumn period. Wu rose to power in the 6th century BC, after it was aided by the State of Jin as a useful ally against the State of Chu. In 584 BC, Wu rebelled against Chu upon the advice of Wuchen, a Jin minister, who defected from Chu. From then on, Wu would become a constant threat to the Chu Kingdom.

Notable Quotes by Wu (state)

“Nowadays in training naval forces we use the tactics of land forces for the best effect. Thus great wing ships correspond to the army's heavy chariots, little wing ships to light chariots, stomach strikers to battering rams, castle ships to mobile assault towers, and bridge ships to light cavalry.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Wu (state)

True or False: “The initial capital of Wu was located at Meili (梅里), which is believed to be in modern Wuxi.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text explicitly states that the first capital of Wu was established at Meili (梅里), corresponding to today's Meicun in Wuxi.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Wu Zetian — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The only undisputed female sovereign in the history of China.
• Wu Zixu — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Prominent general and politician of the Wu Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn period.
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• Wyndham Lewis — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Canadian-born British painter, writer, and critic, co-founder of Vorticism.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Wu (state)