Ruo (state)
Encyclopedia
The State of Ruò was a small vassal state during the Chinese Zhou Dynasty
(1046–256 BCE) whose rulers used the title Zǐ (子), roughly equivalent to a Viscount
. Located between the States of Qin
and Chu
, Ruo was eventually annexed by the State of Chu.
, also an enemy of Qin and Jin, came to its aid. The people of Shangmi surrendered to Qin whilst the commander of the Chu army was captured. Thereafter the Qin army returned to their territory with the Chu pursuit of their troops coming too late. By 622 BCE, Ruo’s relations with Qin had become closer but they still wavered over the question of their relations with Chu. This led to Qin capturing Ruo and incorporating the city into their own territory. Ruo moved their capital into neighboring Hubei Province, close to the city of Yicheng
whereupon it became known as “Lower Ruo” (鄀下). After the move, Ruo became a vassal state of Chu and at an unknown date fully assimilated into the state.
, the State of Wu
attacked the Chu capital Ying
. In the ensuing Battle of Boju, the State of Chu was almost wiped out. Later the same year Wu retreated and King Zhao returned to the capital. A year later in 507 BCE, Wu defeated Chu’s navy once more raising the threat of their extermination and thus decided to move their capital from Ying
to the eponymous state capital of Ruo where it would be hidden from the Wu vanguard. As the people of Chu had become used to calling their capital “Ying”, Ruo became known as “Northern Ying”. At what time the capital moved back to its original location of Ying is not known. Some sources suggest that this was in 432 BCE during the reign of King Hui of Chu, making Ruo the capital of Chu for some sixty years.
writes that amongst the inscriptions are characters for “Upper Ruo” (上鄀) whilst “Lower Ruo” (下鄀) is written as “蠚” (hē). Guo suggests that these were public utensils..
In a 2001 article entitled “Introductory Explanation of the Shi Shan Pan Inscriptions”, Song Fenghan (朱凤瀚) writes that the inscriptions on Shi Shan Pan artifacts in the National Museum of China
mention Ruo and thus show that such a state existed at the time of the Western Zhou Dynasty. Zhou Baohong (周宝宏) also makes the association between the State of Ruo and the Spring and Autumn Period.
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
(1046–256 BCE) whose rulers used the title Zǐ (子), roughly equivalent to a Viscount
Viscount
A viscount or viscountess is a member of the European nobility whose comital title ranks usually, as in the British peerage, above a baron, below an earl or a count .-Etymology:...
. Located between the States of Qin
Qin (state)
The State of Qin was a Chinese feudal state that existed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history...
and Chu
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
, Ruo was eventually annexed by the State of Chu.
Rise and fall
Ruo’s capital was initially located at Shangmi (商密), also known as “Upper Ruo” (上鄀). In 635 BCE, the State of Qin and its equally powerful ally the State of Jin attacked Ruo whereupon the neighboring State of ChuChu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
, also an enemy of Qin and Jin, came to its aid. The people of Shangmi surrendered to Qin whilst the commander of the Chu army was captured. Thereafter the Qin army returned to their territory with the Chu pursuit of their troops coming too late. By 622 BCE, Ruo’s relations with Qin had become closer but they still wavered over the question of their relations with Chu. This led to Qin capturing Ruo and incorporating the city into their own territory. Ruo moved their capital into neighboring Hubei Province, close to the city of Yicheng
Yicheng, Hubei
Yicheng is a city district of Hubei, China. It is under the administration of Xiangfan city....
whereupon it became known as “Lower Ruo” (鄀下). After the move, Ruo became a vassal state of Chu and at an unknown date fully assimilated into the state.
Legacy
In 506 BCE, the tenth year of King Zhao of ChuKing Zhao of Chu
King Zhao of Chu was from 515 – 489 BCE the king of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period of ancient China. Documents unearthed in the former state also show his title as King Shao. Born Xiong Zhen , King Zhao was the son of King Ping of Chu .-Life:In 506 BCE, King Helü of the...
, the State of Wu
Wu (state)
The State of Wu , also known as Gou Wu or Gong Wu , was one of the vassal states during the Western Zhou Dynasty and the Spring and Autumn Period. The State of Wu was located at the mouth of the Yangtze River east of the State of Chu. Considered a semi-barbarian state by ancient Chinese...
attacked the Chu capital Ying
Ying (Chu)
Yǐng was a capital city of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese History.In the early years of Chu’s development, the state capital was located at Danyang , near modern day Xichuan County in Henan Province...
. In the ensuing Battle of Boju, the State of Chu was almost wiped out. Later the same year Wu retreated and King Zhao returned to the capital. A year later in 507 BCE, Wu defeated Chu’s navy once more raising the threat of their extermination and thus decided to move their capital from Ying
Ying (Chu)
Yǐng was a capital city of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese History.In the early years of Chu’s development, the state capital was located at Danyang , near modern day Xichuan County in Henan Province...
to the eponymous state capital of Ruo where it would be hidden from the Wu vanguard. As the people of Chu had become used to calling their capital “Ying”, Ruo became known as “Northern Ying”. At what time the capital moved back to its original location of Ying is not known. Some sources suggest that this was in 432 BCE during the reign of King Hui of Chu, making Ruo the capital of Chu for some sixty years.
Inscriptions on ancient bronze artifacts
In his research on bronze instruments discovered in the former State of Ruo, historian Guo MoruoGuo Moruo
Guo Moruo , courtesy name Dingtang , was a Chinese author, poet, historian, archaeologist, and government official from Sichuan, China.-Family history:Guo, originally named Guo Kaizhen, was born on November 10 or 16, in the small town of Shawan...
writes that amongst the inscriptions are characters for “Upper Ruo” (上鄀) whilst “Lower Ruo” (下鄀) is written as “蠚” (hē). Guo suggests that these were public utensils..
In a 2001 article entitled “Introductory Explanation of the Shi Shan Pan Inscriptions”, Song Fenghan (朱凤瀚) writes that the inscriptions on Shi Shan Pan artifacts in the National Museum of China
National Museum of China
The National Museum of China flanks the eastern side of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. The mission of the museum is to educate about the arts and history of China...
mention Ruo and thus show that such a state existed at the time of the Western Zhou Dynasty. Zhou Baohong (周宝宏) also makes the association between the State of Ruo and the Spring and Autumn Period.