King You of Chu

Summary

King You of Chu (Chinese: 楚幽王; pinyin: Chǔ Yōu Wáng, died 228 BC) was from 237 to 228 BC the king of the state of Chu during the late Warring States period of ancient China. He was born Xiong Han (Chinese: 熊悍) and King You was his posthumous title.[1]

Xiong Han
King of Chu
Reign237–228 BC
Full name
Posthumous name
King You of Chu
Bronze Ding conmissioned by Xiong Han. Unearthed at Zhujiaji, Shou County, Anhui, in 1933.

He succeeded his father King Kaolie of Chu and during his reign You's maternal uncle Li Yuan (李园) served as prime minister.

In 235 BCE, after an attack on the State of Zhao, troops from the states of Qin and Wei united to attack Chu but suffered a defeat.

In March 228 BCE, King You of Chu died and was succeeded by his younger brother Xiong You, who would later be styled King Ai of Chu.

It is rumoured that King You of Chu was actually the illegitimate son of Lord Chunshen.

In the 1930s his tomb at Shou County, Anhui Province was destroyed by warlords, and many artifacts were dispersed, but a great bronze cauldron or ding called 楚大鼎 was preserved and is on display in Anhui Museum.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Sima Qian. "楚世家 (House of Chu)". Records of the Grand Historian (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  2. ^ Beiträge zur Allgemeinen und Vergleichenden Archäologie, Volume 11. p.111.
King You of Chu
 Died: 228 BC
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Chu
237–228 BC
Succeeded by