Polities

Zhou dynasty

Chinese Dynasties

Citation Formats

General Reference

History Atlas. "Zhou dynasty." Accessed September 2, 2026. https://dev-history.interactiveatlas.org/polities/zhou-dynasty-ancient.

APA Style

History Atlas. (n.d.). Zhou dynasty. Retrieved September 2, 2026, from https://dev-history.interactiveatlas.org/polities/zhou-dynasty-ancient

BibTeX

@misc{historyatlas-zhou-dynasty,
  author = {History Atlas},
  title = {Zhou dynasty},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://dev-history.interactiveatlas.org/polities/zhou-dynasty-ancient},
  note = {Accessed September 2, 2026}
}

The Zhou dynasty ruled China from about 1046 to 256 BC, the longest span of any Chinese dynasty, founded by King Wu of Zhou after his victory over the Shang at the Battle of Muye. The Western Zhou period, from 1046 to 771 BC, was governed from Fenghao, also called Haojing, in the Wei River valley; the Eastern Zhou period, from 771 to 256 BC, was governed from Wangcheng and is itself subdivided into the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period. The dynasty is remembered as the zenith of Chinese bronzeware craftsmanship and as the birthplace of Confucianism, Taoism and Legalism, the three major philosophical traditions that shaped later Chinese thought. The state of Qin formally extinguished the Zhou dynasty in 256 BC, deposing King Nan and capturing Wangcheng, and Qin went on to found the succeeding Qin dynasty after completing its wars of unification in 221 BC.

Facts

Government Type

Monarchy (decentralised, feudal under the Western Zhou; ceremonial kingship under the Eastern Zhou) 1

The Western Zhou (c. 1046-771 BC) held direct military control and decentralised feudal authority over its territories; the Eastern Zhou that followed retained ceremonial kingship while real power passed to regional states.

Start Year

1046 BCE 1

End Year

256 BCE 1

Cross-Tradition Connections