Duke Zhao of Qi (; died 613 BC) was from 632 to 613 BC ruler of the

State of Qi Qi, or Ch'i in Wade–Giles romanization, was a state of the Zhou dynasty-era in ancient China, variously reckoned as a march, duchy, and independent kingdom. Its capital was Linzi, located in present-day Shandong. Qi was founded sh ...

, a major power during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. His personal name was Lü Pan (呂潘),

ancestral name In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

Jiang ( 姜), and Duke Zhao was his

posthumous title 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 o ...

. He was known as Prince Pan before his accession to the throne.

Accession to the throne

Duke Zhao's father was Duke Huan of Qi, who was the first of the

Five Hegemons The Five Hegemons () refers to several especially powerful rulers of Chinese states of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history (770 to 476 BCE), sometimes alternatively referred to as the "Age of Hegemons". There are various lists of five ...

, the most powerful rulers of the Spring and Autumn period. Duke Huan had at least three main wives who bore no sons, six favoured concubines, and more than ten sons. Duke Zhao was then known as Prince Pan, and his mother was Ge Ying, a princess of the minor state of Ge (葛). Five other sons of Duke Huan also contended for the throne: Prince

Wukui Wukui () or Wugui () (died 642 BC), was for three months in early 642 BC ruler of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. His personal name was Lü Wúkuī (呂無虧) or Lü Wúguǐ (呂無詭), ancestral name Jian ...

, Crown Prince Zhao (later Duke Xiao), Prince Shangren (later Duke Yi), Prince Yuan (later Duke Hui), and Prince Yong. When Duke Huan died in the tenth month of 643 BC, the six princes fought one another for the throne.

prevailed at first, but he sat on the throne for only three months before being killed by supporters of Crown Prince Zhao. Prince Zhao ascended the throne with the help of

Duke Xiang of Song Duke Xiang of Song (宋襄公) (died 637 BC) was the leader in the state of Song in the Spring and Autumn period. His personal name was Zifu (子茲甫) and he took his throne in 650 BC. After the death of the Hegemon of China, Duke Huan of Qi ...

and was known as Duke Xiao of Qi. Duke Xiao reigned for ten years. After he died in 633 BC, Prince Kaifang of Wey, who had been a trusted official of Duke Huan, killed Duke Xiao's son and helped Prince Pan usurp the throne. Prince Pan is posthumously known as Duke Zhao of Qi.

Reign and succession

In 632 BC,

Duke Wen of Jin Duke Wen of Jin (697–628BC), born Chong'er (literally "Double Ears"), was a scion of the royal house of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. He famously endured a long period of exile from his realm before finally bei ...

defeated the State of Chu at the

Battle of Chengpu The Battle of Chengpu took place in 632 BC between the State of Jin and the State of Chu and its allies during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. It was the first great battle in the protracted conflict between the states of t ...

, and was declared the

Hegemon Hegemony (, , ) is the political, economic, and military predominance of one state over other states. In Ancient Greece (8th BC – AD 6th ), hegemony denoted the politico-military dominance of the ''hegemon'' city-state over other city-states. ...

of China, a title that was previously held by Duke Zhao's father Duke Huan. In 627 BC, the sixth year of Duke Zhao's reign, the Di tribes invaded Qi. In the fifth month of 613 BC, Duke Zhao died and was succeeded by his son She. However, just two months later She was murdered by Duke Zhao's younger brother Shangren, who usurped the throne and was posthumously known as Duke Yì of Qi.

Family

Wives: * Zi Shu Ji, of the Ji clan (), the mother of Prince She Sons: * Prince She (; d. 613 BC), ruled as the Duke of Qi in 613 BC

Ancestry

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zhao of Qi, Duke Year of birth unknown Monarchs of Qi (state) 7th-century BC Chinese monarchs 613 BC deaths