Later Zhou Dynasty
Encyclopedia
The Later Zhou Dynasty was the last a succession of five dynasties that controlled most of northern China
during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period
, which lasted from 907
to 960
and bridged the gap between the Tang Dynasty
and the Song Dynasty
.
, served as the Assistant Military Commissioner at the court of the Later Han Dynasty
, a regime ruled by Shatuo Turks. A teenager came to the throne of the Later Han in 948
after the death of the founding emperor, Gaozu
. Guo Wei led a successful coup against the teenage emperor and declared himself emperor of the new Later Zhou Dynasty on New Year’s Day in 951
.
, was the first Han Chinese
ruler of northern China
since 923
. He is regarded as an able leader who attempted reforms designed to alleviate burdens faced by the peasantry. His rule was vigorous and well-organized. However, it was also a short reign. His death from illness in 954
ended his three year reign.
, was the adoptive son of Guo Wei Born Chai Rong, he was the son of his wife’s elder brother. He ascended the throne on the death of his adoptive father in 954
. His reign was also effective and was able to make some inroads in the south with victories against the Southern Tang in 956
. However, efforts in the north to dislodge the Northern Han
, while initially promising, were ineffective. He died an untimely death in 959
from an illness while on campaign.
, a dynasty that would eventually reunite China
, bringing all of the southern states into its control as well as the Northern Han
by 979
.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms was between 907–960/979 AD and an era of political upheaval in China, between the fall of the Tang Dynasty and the founding of the Song Dynasty. During this period, five dynasties quickly succeeded one another in the north, and more than 12 independent states were...
, which lasted from 907
907
Year 907 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Oleg leads the Kievan Rus' in a campaign against Constantinople ....
to 960
960
Year 960 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Edgar the Peaceable is crowned King of England. Dunstan becomes Archbishop of Canterbury and Edgar's chief adviser. He reforms monasteries and enforces the rule of Saint Benedict: Poverty, Chastity and Obedience for...
and bridged the gap between the Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
and the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
.
Founding of the Dynasty
Guo Wei, a Han ChineseHan Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
, served as the Assistant Military Commissioner at the court of the Later Han Dynasty
Later Han Dynasty (Five Dynasties)
The Later Han Dynasty was founded in 947. It was the fourth of the Five Dynasties and the third consecutive Shatuo Turk dynasty...
, a regime ruled by Shatuo Turks. A teenager came to the throne of the Later Han in 948
948
Year 948 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Africa :* The Nri Kingdom in what is now Southeastern Nigeria is started by Eri.- Asia :...
after the death of the founding emperor, Gaozu
Gaozu of Later Han
Gaozu of Later Han was the Shatuo Turk founder of the Later Han Dynasty, the fourth of the Five Dynasties in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period of Chinese history. It was also one of the shortest-lived kingdoms in Chinese history, lasting only three years...
. Guo Wei led a successful coup against the teenage emperor and declared himself emperor of the new Later Zhou Dynasty on New Year’s Day in 951
951
Year 951 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The king of Italy dies and his widow, Adelaide of Italy, is overthrown by an usurper, Berengar of Ivrea.- Asia :...
.
Rule of Guo Wei
Guo Wei, posthumously known as Emperor Taizu of Later ZhouEmperor Taizu of Later Zhou
Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou Dynasty 後周太祖 was born as Guo Wei 郭威. He was a well-educated Chinese who served the Later Han Dynasty as Assistant Military Commissioner. He founded the Later Zhou Dynasty in 951.-Service under the Later Han:...
, was the first Han Chinese
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
ruler of northern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
since 923
923
Year 923 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* June 15 – Battle of Soissons: King Robert I of France is killed, and King Charles the Simple is arrested by the supporters of Duke Rudolph of Burgundy.- Americas :* Topiltzin Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl becomes...
. He is regarded as an able leader who attempted reforms designed to alleviate burdens faced by the peasantry. His rule was vigorous and well-organized. However, it was also a short reign. His death from illness in 954
954
Year 954 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* King Máel Coluim I of Scotland is killed in battle against the Highlanders...
ended his three year reign.
Rule of Guo Rong
Guo Rong, posthumously known as Emperor Shizong of Later ZhouEmperor Shizong of Later Zhou
Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty , born Chai Rong and later renamed Guo Rong , was the second emperor of the Later Zhou Dynasty and ruled from 954 to 959.-Family:...
, was the adoptive son of Guo Wei Born Chai Rong, he was the son of his wife’s elder brother. He ascended the throne on the death of his adoptive father in 954
954
Year 954 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* King Máel Coluim I of Scotland is killed in battle against the Highlanders...
. His reign was also effective and was able to make some inroads in the south with victories against the Southern Tang in 956
956
Year 956 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Events :* The Great Lighthouse at Alexandria was damaged by an earthquake.- Deaths :...
. However, efforts in the north to dislodge the Northern Han
Northern Han
The Northern Han kingdom is a state of the Ten Kingdoms in the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. It was founded by Liu Min , formerly known as Liu Chong , and lasted from 951 – 979.-Founding of the Northern Han:...
, while initially promising, were ineffective. He died an untimely death in 959
959
Year 959 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* October 1 – King Eadwig of England dies, and is succeeded by his brother Edgar, who effectively completes the unification of England.* Dunstan becomes bishop of Worcester, England and London.* Bruno I,...
from an illness while on campaign.
Fall of the Later Zhou
Guo Rong was succeeded by his seven-year-old son upon his death. Soon thereafter Zhao Kuangyin usurped the throne and declared himself emperor of the Great Song DynastySong Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
, a dynasty that would eventually reunite China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, bringing all of the southern states into its control as well as the Northern Han
Northern Han
The Northern Han kingdom is a state of the Ten Kingdoms in the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. It was founded by Liu Min , formerly known as Liu Chong , and lasted from 951 – 979.-Founding of the Northern Han:...
by 979
979
Year 979 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The Tynwald of the Isle of Man is founded....
.
Rulers
| Temple Names ( Miao Hao 廟號 ) | Posthumous Names ( Shi Hao 諡號 ) | Personal Names | Period of Reigns | Era Names (Nian Hao 年號) and their according range of years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tàizŭ Emperor Taizu of Later Zhou Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou Dynasty 後周太祖 was born as Guo Wei 郭威. He was a well-educated Chinese who served the Later Han Dynasty as Assistant Military Commissioner. He founded the Later Zhou Dynasty in 951.-Service under the Later Han:... (太祖) |
Too tedious thus not used when referring to this sovereign | 郭威 Guō Weī | 951 951 Year 951 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The king of Italy dies and his widow, Adelaide of Italy, is overthrown by an usurper, Berengar of Ivrea.- Asia :... -954 954 Year 954 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* King Máel Coluim I of Scotland is killed in battle against the Highlanders... |
Guǎngshun (廣順) 951 951 Year 951 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The king of Italy dies and his widow, Adelaide of Italy, is overthrown by an usurper, Berengar of Ivrea.- Asia :... -954 954 Year 954 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* King Máel Coluim I of Scotland is killed in battle against the Highlanders... Xiande (顯德 xian3 de2) 954 954 Year 954 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* King Máel Coluim I of Scotland is killed in battle against the Highlanders... |
| Shìzōng Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou Shizong of the Later Zhou Dynasty , born Chai Rong and later renamed Guo Rong , was the second emperor of the Later Zhou Dynasty and ruled from 954 to 959.-Family:... (世宗) |
Too tedious thus not used when referring to this sovereign | 柴榮 Chái Róng | 954 954 Year 954 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* King Máel Coluim I of Scotland is killed in battle against the Highlanders... -959 959 Year 959 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* October 1 – King Eadwig of England dies, and is succeeded by his brother Edgar, who effectively completes the unification of England.* Dunstan becomes bishop of Worcester, England and London.* Bruno I,... |
Xiǎndé (顯德) 954 954 Year 954 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* King Máel Coluim I of Scotland is killed in battle against the Highlanders... -959 959 Year 959 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* October 1 – King Eadwig of England dies, and is succeeded by his brother Edgar, who effectively completes the unification of England.* Dunstan becomes bishop of Worcester, England and London.* Bruno I,... |
| Did not exist | 恭帝 Gōngdì | 柴宗訓 Chái Zōngxùn | 959 959 Year 959 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* October 1 – King Eadwig of England dies, and is succeeded by his brother Edgar, who effectively completes the unification of England.* Dunstan becomes bishop of Worcester, England and London.* Bruno I,... -960 960 Year 960 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Edgar the Peaceable is crowned King of England. Dunstan becomes Archbishop of Canterbury and Edgar's chief adviser. He reforms monasteries and enforces the rule of Saint Benedict: Poverty, Chastity and Obedience for... |
Xiǎndé (顯德) 959 959 Year 959 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* October 1 – King Eadwig of England dies, and is succeeded by his brother Edgar, who effectively completes the unification of England.* Dunstan becomes bishop of Worcester, England and London.* Bruno I,... -960 960 Year 960 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Edgar the Peaceable is crowned King of England. Dunstan becomes Archbishop of Canterbury and Edgar's chief adviser. He reforms monasteries and enforces the rule of Saint Benedict: Poverty, Chastity and Obedience for... |