The
Chancellor , variously translated as
Prime Minister,
Premier or
Chief Councillor, was a generic name given to the highest-ranking official in the imperial government in ancient
ChinaChina is a cultural region, an ancient civilization, and, depending on perspective, a national or multinational entity extending over a large area in East Asia....
. The Chancellor can also refer to a specific post in the imperial government, which was first officially instituted in
Qin DynastyThe Qin Dynasty was the ruling Chinese dynasty between 221 and 206 BC. The Qin state was named because the people of is homeland were called the qin. The Qin's strength had been consolidated by Lord Shang Yang during the Warring States Period, in the 4th century BC...
(221 BC-206 BC) as the "head of all civil service officials". The term was known by many different names throughout Chinese history, and the exact extent of the powers associated with the position fluctuated greatly even during a particular dynasty.
History
In the
Spring and Autumn PeriodThe Spring and Autumn Period was a period in Chinese history, which roughly corresponds to the first half of the Eastern Zhou dynasty...
,
Guan ZhongGuan Zhong was a Chinese politician in the Spring and Autumn Period. His given name was Yíwú . Zhong was his courtesy name. Recommended by Bao Shuya, he was appointed Prime Minister by Duke Huan of Qi in 685 BC.Guan Zhong modernized the state of Qi by starting multiple reforms...
was the first Chancellor in China, who became chancellor under the state of Qi in 685 BC. In
QinQín or Ch'in , was a state during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of China. It eventually grew to dominate the country and unite it in 221 BC, after which it is referred to as the Qin Dynasty...
during the
Warring States PeriodThe Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, covers the period from 476 BCE to the unification of China by the Qin Dynasty in 221 BCE...
, the Chancellor was officially established as "the head of all civil service officials". There were sometimes two Chancellors, differentiated as being "of the left" (senior) and "of the right" (junior). After emperor
Qin Shi HuangQin Shi Huang , personal name Ying Zheng , was king of the Chinese State of Qin from 246 BCE to 221 BCE during the Warring States Period. He became the first emperor of a unified China in 221 BCE. He ruled until his death in 210 BCE at the age of 50.Qin Shi Huang remains a controversial figure in...
ended the Warring States Period by establishing the
Qin DynastyThe Qin Dynasty was the ruling Chinese dynasty between 221 and 206 BC. The Qin state was named because the people of is homeland were called the qin. The Qin's strength had been consolidated by Lord Shang Yang during the Warring States Period, in the 4th century BC...
(221-206 BC), the Chancellor, together with the Imperial Secretary, and the Grand Commandant, were the most important officials in the imperial government, generally referred as the Three Lords.
In 1 BC during the
emperor AiEmperor Ai of Han was an emperor of the Chinese Han Dynasty. He ascended the throne when he was 20, having been made heir by his uncle Emperor Cheng, who was childless, and he reigned from 7 BC to 1 BC....
, the title was changed to
da si tu (大司徒). In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Chancellor post was replaced by the
Three ExcellenciesThe Three Excellencies or the Three Lords was the collective name for the three highest officials in ancient China. Starting in the Zhou Dynasty, the top three were: Grand Secretary , Grand Tutor , and Grand Protector...
: Grand Commandant (太尉),
Minister over the MassesMinister over the Masses was one of the three most important official posts during the Han Dynasty, called the Three Excellencies. The nominal salary attached was 20,000 dàn of grain. The position and title had existed since the Warring States, but was only standardised during the Qin Dynasty....
and
MinisterA minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet.-Origin:...
of
WorksPublic works are the construction or engineering projects carried out by the state on behalf of the community.-Overview:The notion of internal improvements or public works is a concept in economics and politics...
(司空). In
190-Roman Empire:* A part of Rome burns, and Emperor Commodus orders the city to be rebuilt under the name Colonia Commodiana.* A Roman road crosses the Alps by the Simplon Pass.-Asia:* First year of the Chuping era of the Chinese Han Dynasty....
,
Dong ZhuoDong Zhuo was a powerful warlord during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of China. He seized control of Luoyang in 189 after the capital fell into chaos following the death of Emperor Ling and a bloody clash between the powerful eunuch faction and the court officials...
claimed the title "Chancellor of State" (相國) under the powerless
Emperor Xian of HanEmperor Xian of Han was the last emperor of the Chinese Han Dynasty. He was forced to abdicate in favor of Cao Pi and was given the title of Duke of Shanyang ....
, placing himself above the Three Excellencies. After Dong Zhuo's death in
192-Roman Empire:* Commodus is assassinated by a wrestler named Narcissus, at the behest of Commodus' concubine, Chamberlain and Praetorian prefect. The Antonines dynasty ends.* Civil war again strikes Rome .-Asia:...
, the post was vacant until
Cao CaoCáo Cāo was a warlord and the penultimate Chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during its final years in ancient China. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become Cao Wei and was posthumously titled Emperor Wu...
restored the position as "Imperial Chancellor" (丞相) and abolished the Three Excellencies in
208-Roman Empire:* Roman emperor Septimius Severus repairs the Antonine Wall .* Severus, Caracalla and Geta launch military campaigns against the Caledonians and the Macates in Britain.-Asia:...
. From then until March 15,
220-Roman Empire:* The Goths invade Asia Minor and the Balkans.* An Indian delegation visits Roman emperor Elagabalus.-Asia:* Han Xiandi abdicates his throne to Cao Pi, symbolizing the end of the Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms period in China....
, the power of Chancellor was greater than that of the emperor. Later this often happened when a dynasty became weak, usually some decades before the fall of a dynasty.
During the
Sui DynastyThe Sui Dynasty followed by the Tang Dynasty and preceded by the Southern and Northern Dynasties in China. It ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes....
, the executive officials of the three highest departments of the empire were called "Chancellors" (真宰相) together. In the
Tang DynastyThe 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...
, the government was divided into
three departmentsThe Three Departments and Six Ministries system was the main central administrative system adopted in ancient China. The system first took shape after the Western Han Dynasty , was officially instituted in Sui Dynasty , and matured during Tang Dynasty...
: the Department of State Affairs (尚書省), the Chancellery (門下省) and the Secretariat(中書省) and the head of each department was generally referred to as the
Chancellor.
In the
Song DynastyThe 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...
, the post of Chancellor was also known as the "Tongpingzhangshi" (同平章事), in accordance with late-Tang terminology, while the vice-chancellor was known as the "Jijunsi". Some years later, the post of Chancellor was changed to "
Prime MinisterA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. The position is usually held by, but need not always be held by, a politician. In many systems, the prime minister selects and can dismiss other members of the cabinet, and...
" (首相
shou xiang) and the post of vice-Chancellor was changed to "Second Minister" (次相
ci xiang). In the late Southern Song Dynasty, the system changed back to the Tang naming conventions.
During the Mongol-founded
Yuan DynastyThe Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was both the continuation of the Mongol Empire and the Mongol founded historical state in Mongolia and China, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. Although the dynasty was established by Kublai Khan, he had his grandfather Genghis Khan placed on the...
, the Chancellor was not the head of the Secretariat, but the
Crown PrinceA Crown Prince or Crown Princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
(皇太子) was. After the establishment of the
Ming DynastyThe Ming Dynasty , or Empire of the Great Ming , was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history," was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, the post became the head of the Secretariat again. The post was abandoned after the execution of the Chancellor of China, Hu Weiyong, who was accused of treason (though his conviction is still strongly disputed in present times because of a lack of evidence to prove his guilt). Still, appointments of the people who held the highest post in the government were called "Appointment of Prime Minister" (拜相) until 1644.
List of Chancellors of Shang Dynasty
| Name |
| Pinyin (Romanization) |
Chinese Characters |
| Yi Yin |
伊尹 |
| Zhong Hui |
仲虺 |
| Yi Zhi |
伊陟 |
| Wu Xian |
巫咸 |
| Wu Xian |
巫賢 |
| Gan Xuan |
甘盤 |
| Fu Shou |
傅說 |
| Ji Zi |
箕子 |
List of Chancellors of Qin Dynasty since 251 BC-Greece:* Paseas, the tyrant of the Greek city-state of Sicyon, is assassinated by Nicocles, with the acquiescence of the Macedonian king Antigonus II. Nicocles reigns as tyrant of Sicyon for only four months, during which period he drives into exile eighty of the city's citizens...
| # |
Name |
Took Office |
Left Office |
| 1 |
Lü Buwei Lü Buwei was a Warring States Period merchant who schemed his way into governing the State of Qin. He served as Chancellor of China for King Zhuangxiang of Qin, and as regent and Chancellor for the king's young son Zheng, who became Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China...
|
251 BC -Greece:* Paseas, the tyrant of the Greek city-state of Sicyon, is assassinated by Nicocles, with the acquiescence of the Macedonian king Antigonus II. Nicocles reigns as tyrant of Sicyon for only four months, during which period he drives into exile eighty of the city's citizens...
|
246 BC -Egypt:* Egypt's Ptolemy II dies and is succeeded by his son, Ptolemy III. At the time of Ptolemy II's death, Egypt comprises the ancient kingdom of Egypt in the Nile Valley, Cyrene, Judea and the coast of southern Syria, Cyprus and a number of cities on the shores and islands of the Aegean Sea...
|
| 2 |
Li Si Li Si was the influential Prime Minister of the feudal state and later of the dynasty of Qin, between 246 BC and 208 BC. A famous Legalist, he was also a notable calligrapher. Li Si served under two rulers: Qin Shi Huang, king of Qin and later First Emperor of China -- and his son, Qin Er Shi...
|
246 BC -Egypt:* Egypt's Ptolemy II dies and is succeeded by his son, Ptolemy III. At the time of Ptolemy II's death, Egypt comprises the ancient kingdom of Egypt in the Nile Valley, Cyrene, Judea and the coast of southern Syria, Cyprus and a number of cities on the shores and islands of the Aegean Sea...
|
208 BC -Roman Republic:* The Romans under Publius Cornelius Scipio defeat the Carthaginians under their commander Hasdrubal Barca at Baecula in Baetica...
|
| 3 |
Zhao Gao Zhao Gao was the chief eunuch during the Qin Dynasty of China. He played an instrumental role in the downfall of the Qin Dynasty. His status of eunuch was due to a congenital defect; he was not castrated.- Early life :...
|
208 BC -Roman Republic:* The Romans under Publius Cornelius Scipio defeat the Carthaginians under their commander Hasdrubal Barca at Baecula in Baetica...
|
207 BC -Roman Republic:* The Roman general Gaius Claudius Nero fights an indecisive battle with the Carthaginian general Hannibal at Grumentum. Nero is unable to stop Hannibal's advance into Canusium...
|
List of other famous Chancellors and Prime Ministers
- Guan Zhong
Guan Zhong was a Chinese politician in the Spring and Autumn Period. His given name was Yíwú . Zhong was his courtesy name. Recommended by Bao Shuya, he was appointed Prime Minister by Duke Huan of Qi in 685 BC.Guan Zhong modernized the state of Qi by starting multiple reforms...
(died in 645 BC)
- Xiao He
Xiao He was a key figure in Liu Bang's rise to power after the fall of the Qin Dynasty. He remained loyal to Liu Bang throughout his life and later became prime minister of the Han Dynasty. He was born in the same place, Pei County as Liu Bang...
(206 BC-Roman Republic:* In the Battle of Ilipa in Spain, the Carthaginian generals, Mago Barca and Hasdrubal Gisco, are defeated by the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio. Mago retreats to Gades and then sails for the Balearic Islands.* The Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio secures Gades, thus...
-193 BC-Greece:* Eumenes II of Pergamum appeals to Rome for help against the Seleucid king Antiochus III who is threatening to conquer Greece. The Roman pro-consul Titus Quinctius Flamininus supports the Roman championship of Greek autonomy in Anatolia....
in office)
- Dong Zhuo
Dong Zhuo was a powerful warlord during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of China. He seized control of Luoyang in 189 after the capital fell into chaos following the death of Emperor Ling and a bloody clash between the powerful eunuch faction and the court officials...
(189-Asia:* The Prince of Hongnong succeeds Han Lingdi as Chinese emperor of the Han Dynasty.* Dong Zhuo has the Prince of Hongnong poisoned and installs Han Xiandi as emperor.* One general slaughters 2,000 eunuchs in the palace and takes the Han emperor captive....
-192-Roman Empire:* Commodus is assassinated by a wrestler named Narcissus, at the behest of Commodus' concubine, Chamberlain and Praetorian prefect. The Antonines dynasty ends.* Civil war again strikes Rome .-Asia:...
in office)
- Cao Cao
Cáo Cāo was a warlord and the penultimate Chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during its final years in ancient China. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become Cao Wei and was posthumously titled Emperor Wu...
(July 9, 208-Roman Empire:* Roman emperor Septimius Severus repairs the Antonine Wall .* Severus, Caracalla and Geta launch military campaigns against the Caledonians and the Macates in Britain.-Asia:...
-March 15, 220-Roman Empire:* The Goths invade Asia Minor and the Balkans.* An Indian delegation visits Roman emperor Elagabalus.-Asia:* Han Xiandi abdicates his throne to Cao Pi, symbolizing the end of the Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms period in China....
in office)
- Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang was Chancellor of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era....
(221-Asia:* Liu Bei, Chinese warlord and descendant of the royal family of the Han Dynasty, proclaims himself emperor. The Shu Han Kingdom is established.-Births:* Yang Hu, general of the Jin Dynasty * Liu Ling -Deaths:...
-234-Roman Empire:* Emperor Alexander Severus buys peace from the Alemanni. This act leads to his assassination the following year.-Asia:* Zhuge Liang of Shu Han embarks on his last Northern Expedition against Cao Wei.-Deaths:* Huang Yueying...
of Shu HanShu Han , sometimes known as the Kingdom of Shu was one of the Three Kingdoms competing for control of China after the fall of the Han Dynasty, based on areas around Sichuan which was then known as Shu. Some historians argue it is the last Han dynasty because Liu Bei is directly related to the Han...
)
- Lu Xun
Lu Xun was an officer of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of China. He was instrumental in causing Guan Yu's downfall, but is most famous for defeating Liu Bei in the celebrated Battle of Yiling.-Early life:...
(244-Roman Empire:* February 11—Emperor Gordian III is killed by his Praetorian Prefect Philip the Arab after Philip replaces Timesitheus and then declares himself co-emperor.* Philip the Arab becomes Emperor.* Rome loses Mesopotamia and Armenia to the Sassanides....
-245-Roman Empire:* Emperor Philip the Arab entrusts future emperor Trajan Decius with an important command on the Danube.-Asia:* Trieu Thi Trinh, a Vietnamese warrior, begins her three year resistance against the invading Chinese.-Births:...
of Eastern WuEastern Wu , also known as Sun Wu , was one of the Three Kingdoms competing for control of China after the fall of the Han Dynasty in the Jiangnan region of China...
)
- Di Renjie
Dí Rénjié , courtesy name Huaiying , formally Duke Wenhui of Liang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, twice serving as chancellor during her reign...
(691- Europe :* Theuderic III is succeeded by Clovis III as king of Austrasia.* Wilfrid, Bishop of Northumbria, is expelled to Mercia.- Deaths :* Cen Changqian, Chinese chancellor serving Wu Zetian for a brief time...
-693- Deaths :*Bridei ap Bili III, King of the Picts of Northern Scotland whose forces defeated the Northumbrians at the Battle of Nechtensmere in 685 A.D, ending in the death of the Northumbrian King Ecgfrith....
, 697- Religion :* Approximate date of the Council of Birr, where the northern part of Ireland accepts the Roman calculations for celebrating Easter. At this synod, Adamnan promulgates his Cáin Adomáin ....
-700-North America:* The Mount Edziza volcanic complex erupts in northern British Columbia, Canada.-Asia:* Musa bin Nusair defeats the Berber army in Algeria, ending resistance against the Arabs there....
in office)
- Zhang Jiuling
Zhang Jiuling , courtesy name Zishou , nickname Bowu , formally Count Wenxian of Shixing , was a prominent minister, noted poet and scholar of the Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong.- Background :Zhang Jiuling was born in 673, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong...
(733-Europe:* Leo III the Isaurian withdraws the Balkans, Sicily and Calabria from the jurisdiction of the pope, in response to Gregory III's support of a revolt in Italy against iconoclasm. The break between the papacy and the Byzantine Empire is almost complete....
-736-Asia:* The scholar-priest Rōben invites Shinshō to give lectures on the Avatamsaka Sutra at Kinshōsen-ji ; this event is considered to be the roots of the Kegon school of Buddhism founded in Japan.-Europe:...
in office)
- Yang Guozhong
Yang Guozhong , né Yang Zhao , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor late in the reign of Emperor Xuanzong. His second cousin Consort Yang Yuhuan was Emperor Xuanzong's favorite concubine, and he gained Emperor Xuanzong's favor through her...
(752-Europe:* Cuthred of Wessex leads a successful rebellion against Aethelbald of Mercia at Battle Edge, Burford.-Central America:* Yaxun B'alam IV becomes king of Yaxchilan after a ten year struggle for the throne.-Religion:...
-756-Europe:* Pepin the Short defeats the Lombards of northern Italy, who have threatened Pope Stephen II. The Donation of Pepin is a cession of lands including Ravenna that will become the basis of the Papal States....
in office)
- Wang Wei
Wang Wei was a Tang Dynasty Chinese poet, musician, painter, and statesman. He was one of the most famous men of arts and letters of his time...
(758-Asia:* Emperor Junnin succeeds Empress Kōken on the throne of Japan.* During the turmoil of the An Shi Rebellion, the Chinese seaport Guangzhou is sacked by Arab and Persian raiders...
-759-Europe:* The Franks capture Narbonne; the Saracens are completely driven out of France.* Battle of the Rishki Pass: Byzantine Emperor Constantine V invades Bulgaria again, but this time his army is ambushed in the mountain passes of the Stara Planina.-Asia:...
in office)
- Fan Zhongyan
Fan Zhongyan , born in Wuxian 吳縣, Suzhou , was a prominent politician and literary figure in Song dynasty China. He was also a strategist and educator...
(1040-1045 in office)
- Wang Anshi
Wang Anshi was a Chinese economist, statesman, chancellor and poet of the Song Dynasty who attempted controversial, major socioeconomic reforms...
(1070-1075, 1076-1085 in office)
- Sima Guang
Sīmǎ Guāng was a Chinese historian, scholar, and high chancellor of the Song Dynasty.-Life, profession, and works:Sima Guang was born in 1019 in present-day Yuncheng, Shanxi to a wealthy family, and obtained early success as a scholar and officer...
(1085-1086 in office)
- Zhang Dun (1094-1100 in office)
- Wen Tianxiang
Wen Tianxiang , Duke of Xinguo, was a scholar-general in the last years of the Southern Song Dynasty. For his resistance to Kublai Khan's invasion of Song, and for his refusal to yield to the Yuan Dynasty despite being captured and tortured, he is a popular symbol of patriotism and righteousness in...
(1236-1283)
See also
- List of Chinese people
- Chancellor of Tang Dynasty
- List of famous Premiers of China
- Imperial examination
The Imperial examinations in Imperial China determined who among the population would be permitted to enter the state's bureaucracy. The Imperial Examination System in China lasted for 1300 years, from its founding during the Sui Dynasty in 605 to its abolition near the end of the Qing Dynasty in...
- Chinese Law
Chinese law is one of the oldest legal traditions in the world. In the 20th and 21st century, law in China has been a complex mix of traditional Chinese approaches and Western influences....