Western Zhou periodization

 

 

 

Periods

 

Kings

夏商周斷代工程

Xia-Shang-Zhou Periodization Project1

David Nivison2/  Edward Shaughnessy3

Chronology

Wu

1046-1043

1049/45-1043

Cheng

1042-1021

1042/35-1006

Kang

1020-996

1005/03-978

Zhao

995-977

977/75-957

Middle

Mu

976-922

956-918

Gong

922-900

917/15-900

Yih

 

899-878

899/97-873

Xiao

872-866

Yi

865-858

Late

Li

877-841

857-842

共和Gonghe

841-828

841-828

Xuan

827-782

827/25-782

You

781-771

781-771

 

 

Note that these are just two – to my view, the most reliable ones, - of more than one dozen different versions. I do not provide here the traditional chronology of the Western Zhou kings, since it is long proven to be false. The periodization by Nivison/Shaughnesy seems preferable to me in comparison to that of Tree Dynasties periodization project, as I share their doubt about 37 year-long reign of King Li.

 

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1. Cf. 夏商周斷代工程專家組: 夏商周斷代工程 1996-2000 年階斷成果概要, in: 文物 No. 12 (2000), p.53

2. Nivison, David S., Dates of Western Zhou, Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies, Vol. 43, 1983

3. Cf. Shaughnessy, Edward L.: Sources of Western Zhou History. Inscribed Bronze Vessels. Berkeley, Los Angeles, Oxford: University of California Press, 1991, с. 283.