Chen Tuo (; reigned 707 BC – died 706 BC), also known as Chen Ta (陳他) and Wufu (五父), was the thirteenth ruler of the ancient Chinese state of Chen during the early

Spring and Autumn period The Spring and Autumn period was a period in Chinese history from approximately 770 to 476 BC (or according to some authorities until 403 BC) which corresponds roughly to the first half of the Eastern Zhou period. The period's name derives fr ...

. His given name was Tuo (佗) or Ta (他), and he did not receive a

posthumous name A posthumous name is an honorary name given mostly to the notable dead in East Asian culture. It is predominantly practiced in East Asian countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and Thailand. Reflecting on the person's accomplishments or ...

because he was a usurper. Chen Tuo was a son of

Duke Wen of Chen Duke Wen of Chen (; reigned 754 BC – died 745 BC) was the eleventh ruler of the ancient Chinese state of Chen during the early Spring and Autumn period. His given name was Yu (圉), and Wen was his posthumous name. Duke Wen succeeded his fathe ...

and a younger brother of

Duke Huan of Chen Duke Huan of Chen (; reigned 744 BC – died 707 BC) was the twelfth ruler of the Ancient Chinese state of Chen during the early Spring and Autumn period. His ancestral surname was Gui, given name Bao (鮑), and Huan (桓) was his posthumous name ...

. In the first month of 707 BC, Duke Huan died under strange circumstances. He was believed to have become demented, and went missing for sixteen days before his body was found. The uncertainty threw the state into chaos, and Chen Tuo took the opportunity to murder his nephew, Duke Huan's son Crown Prince Mian, and usurp the throne. Duke Huan had a younger son named Yue, who was born to a princess of the neighbouring State of Cai. After Chen Tuo's usurpation, the Cai army attacked and killed Chen Tuo in the eighth month of 706 BC. The marquis of Cai then installed Yue on the Chen throne, to be known as Duke Li of Chen.

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* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Chen, Tuo Monarchs of Chen (state) 8th-century BC Chinese monarchs 706 BC deaths