The Shang Dynasty was followed by the Zhou Dynasty, which preceded the Qin Dynasty in China. Founded by the Ji family, the Zhou dynasty had its capital at Hao（镐）, near the city of Xi'an（西安）, or Chang'an（长安）, as it was known during its heydays in the imperial period.

The Zhou dynasty was divided into Western Zhou and Eastern Zhou. And Eastern Zhou was then divided into two sub periods. The first, from 722 to 481 BC, is called the Spring and Autumn Period, after a famous historical chronicle of the time; the second is known as the Warring States Period. With the royal line broken, the power of the Zhou court gradually diminished; the fragmentation of the kingdom accelerated. Finally, the dynasty was obliterated by Qin Shi Huangdi's reunification of China in 221 BC.

The Western Zhou Dynasty was the flourishing era of China’s slavery societies. There were 12 sovereigns in Western Zhou, among which 9 died of illness, 1 was murdered, 1 died after being banished by the people and 1 succumbed to the hatred of the people.

 

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Zhou Dynasty

Zhouyuan(周原) bronze workshop in Fufeng(扶风)

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