King Qing of Zhou facts for kids

King Qing of Zhou (pronounced 'Ching'), whose personal name was Jī Rénchén, was an important ruler in ancient China. He was the nineteenth king of the famous Zhou Dynasty and the seventh king of its later period, known as the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.

He became king in 618 BC after his father, King Xiang of Zhou, passed away. King Qing ruled for five years, until 613 BC. After he died, his oldest son, Prince Ban, became the next ruler, known as King Kuang of Zhou.

The Zhou Dynasty: A Powerful Kingdom

The Zhou Dynasty was one of the longest-lasting dynasties in Chinese history. It ruled for over 800 years! This period saw many important changes in Chinese culture and society. The Zhou kings were seen as having a special connection to heaven. They were believed to rule with the "Mandate of Heaven." This meant that heaven had chosen them to lead.

The Eastern Zhou Period

King Qing ruled during the Eastern Zhou period. This was a time when the power of the Zhou kings was getting weaker. Many smaller states were growing stronger. These states often fought with each other. Even though the king was still important, his direct control over the land was much smaller.

King Qing's Family and Successors

King Qing had three sons who later became important figures. His family played a key role in the future of the Zhou Dynasty.

His Sons and Their Reigns

• Prince Ban (died 607 BC) was King Qing's first son. He became King Kuang of Zhou and ruled from 612 BC to 607 BC.
• Prince Yu (died 586 BC) was another son. He became King Ding of Zhou and ruled from 606 BC to 586 BC.
• Prince Jizi (died 544 BC) was the third son. He became a duke and ruled the State of Liu as Duke Kang of Liu from 592 BC to 544 BC.

See Also

• Family tree of ancient Chinese emperors