Xiong Zhi

Summary

Xiong Zhi (Chinese: 熊摯) was the eighth ruler of the state of Chu during the early Western Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE) of ancient China. Like other early Chu rulers, he held the hereditary noble rank of zi () first granted to his ancestor Xiong Yi by King Cheng of Zhou.[1]

Xiong Zhi
Ruler of Chu
Reignunknown
Full name

Xiong Zhi succeeded his father Xiong Kang, but later abdicated due to illness. His younger brother Xiong Yan succeeded him as ruler of Chu, and Xiong Zhi self-exiled and founded the minor state of Kui ().[2]

Ancient historian Sima Qian's account of Xiong Zhi in his Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) is quite confused. Sima Qian records Xiong Zhi's name variously as Xiong Hong (熊紅) or Xiong Zhihong (熊摯紅), and says that he was the second son of Xiong Qu and younger brother of Xiong Kang. According to Shiji, Xiong Kang died early and Xiong Zhi succeeded Xiong Qu, and that he was killed by his younger brother Xiong Yan.[1] However, this account is contradicted by earlier historical texts Zuo Zhuan and Guoyu, as well as the account in the Xinian in the recently discovered Tsinghua Bamboo Slips.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Sima Qian; Sima Tan (1959) [90s BCE]. "40: 楚世家". Records of the Grand Historian 史記. Zhonghua Shuju.
  2. ^ a b Ziju (子居). 清华简《楚居》解析 (in Chinese). jianbo.org. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
Xiong Zhi
Regnal titles
Preceded by Viscount of Chu Succeeded by