King Yih of Zhou
King of China
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King Yi of Zhou (Chinese: 周懿王; pinyin: Zhōu Yì Wáng), personal name Ji Jian, was a king of the Chinese Zhou dynasty. Estimated dates of his reign are 899–892 BC or 899–873 BC.[1]
| King Yi of Zhou 周懿王 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contemporary bronze pot dated to his third year. Western Zhou dynasty, in Baoji Zhouyuan Museum. | |||||||||
| King of the Zhou dynasty | |||||||||
| Reign | 899–892 BC | ||||||||
| Predecessor | King Gong of Zhou | ||||||||
| Successor | King Xiao of Zhou | ||||||||
| Died | 892 BC | ||||||||
| Spouse | Wang Bo Jiang | ||||||||
| Issue | King Yí of Zhou | ||||||||
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| House | Ji | ||||||||
| Dynasty | Zhou (Western Zhou) | ||||||||
| Father | King Gong of Zhou | ||||||||
The Righteous King of Zhou
| King Yih of Zhou | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Posthumous name | |||||||||
| Chinese | 周懿王 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | The Honourable King of Zhou The Righteous King of Zhou | ||||||||
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Reign
King Yi's reign is poorly documented. The first year of his reign is confirmed by a solar eclipse on April 21, 899. He succeeded his uncle King Xiao, who was in turn succeeded by King Yi's son King Yí, who was "restored by the many lords". The Bamboo Annals state that he moved from the capital Zongzhou (宗周) to a locality called Huaili.[2] This hints that he was removed from power by his uncle, but the matter is uncertain.[3][4] Yi's grandson was King Li of Zhou.[5] Sima Qian records that there was a period of decline that prompted poets to satirize his reign.[6]
A collection of pots from the thirteenth year of his reign describe him giving an imperial edict in the Situlǜ Palace (司土滤宫) in Chengzhou (成周), which was recorded by Yi Dian (易典), to Ya Bo (牙僰), Chi Xi (赤舄), and others unnamed, who kowtowed in response.[7]
Family
Queens:
- Wang Bo Jiang, of the Jiang clan (王伯姜 姜姓), the mother of Crown Prince Xie and a daughter
Sons:
- Crown Prince Xie (太子燮; d. 878 BC), ruled as King Yí of Zhou from 885 to 878 BC