Tan (Shandong)
Encyclopedia
Tan was an ancient state in Shandong, China.
(商朝), was defeated at the Battle of Muye
(牧野之戰) by Wu Wang (武王), who, in consequence, became the founder of the Zhou Dynasty
(周朝). Following this victory, Wu Wang, also known as Jī Fā (姬發), founded a number of small subordinate vassal states to be ruled by his brothers and generals. One of these was the State of Tan (Tan Guo – 譚国) just east of Jinan
(济南) the capital of present-day Shandong Province
(山东) which was awarded to Ji Xiao Gong (姬孝公), who was reputed to be a descendant of Da Yu (大禹), the founder of the Xia Dynasty
(夏朝), and given the then-new heredity title of Zi (子), often translated as Viscount
.
, weakened the small state. It was repeatedly attacked by its neighbour, the State of Qi, with whom it refused to ally itself. Rather it advocated a policy of "enthrone the king and restrain hegemony".
(鲁国) and the State of Song
(宋國), stayed away from the festivities.
In October later that year, Qi Huan Gong used this discourtesy as an excuse to attack Xianli and his three brothers. After ten days his siege of their walled city was successful, and they fled with 200 members of the royal family to the State of Ju
(莒国), where his son, Qiyi (祁義) was the first to change his clan name to Tan
(譚) in memory of their homeland which had been laid waste.
Today Tancheng
(郯城) claims to be the ancient capital of Tan Guo. However it has also been argued that it is rather the capital of a State of Tan established during the Tang Dynasty
. Others argue that that the ancient capital is today Mingshui (明水) the capital of the City of Zhangqiu
(章丘).
Foundation
In 1046 BCE, Di Xin (帝辛), the last emperor of the Shang DynastyShang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty or Yin Dynasty was, according to traditional sources, the second Chinese dynasty, after the Xia. They ruled in the northeastern regions of the area known as "China proper" in the Yellow River valley...
(商朝), was defeated at the Battle of Muye
Battle of Muye
The Battle of Muye was fought in China perhaps 1046 BC. The battle led to the end of the Shang dynasty, and the beginning of the Zhou dynasty.-Background:...
(牧野之戰) by Wu Wang (武王), who, in consequence, became the founder of the Zhou Dynasty
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...
(周朝). Following this victory, Wu Wang, also known as Jī Fā (姬發), founded a number of small subordinate vassal states to be ruled by his brothers and generals. One of these was the State of Tan (Tan Guo – 譚国) just east of Jinan
Jinan
Jinan is the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of the region from the earliest beginnings of civilisation and has evolved into a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub...
(济南) the capital of present-day Shandong Province
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
(山东) which was awarded to Ji Xiao Gong (姬孝公), who was reputed to be a descendant of Da Yu (大禹), the founder of the Xia Dynasty
Xia Dynasty
The Xia Dynasty is the first dynasty in China to be described in ancient historical chronicles such as Bamboo Annals, Classic of History and Records of the Grand Historian. The Xia Dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great after Shun, the last of the Five Emperors gave his throne to him...
(夏朝), and given the then-new heredity title of Zi (子), often translated as 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:...
.
Governance
In the early days, government policies facilitated good relations with other vassal states, and the economy developed rapidly and population grew quickly. However increasing diplomatic and military rivalry, growing taxes, corruption and forced unpaid labour, or corvéeCorvée
Corvée is unfree labour, often unpaid, that is required of people of lower social standing and imposed on them by the state or a superior . The corvée was the earliest and most widespread form of taxation, which can be traced back to the beginning of civilization...
, weakened the small state. It was repeatedly attacked by its neighbour, the State of Qi, with whom it refused to ally itself. Rather it advocated a policy of "enthrone the king and restrain hegemony".
Demise
In February 684 BCE, when their neighbors went to congratulate Qi Huan Gong (齊桓公), ruler of the neighboring State of Qi (齐), on laying waste to the State of LuLu (state)
The State of Lu, was a Zhou Dynasty ducal vassal state before and during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. Founded in the 10th century BC, its dukes used Ji as their family name. The first duke was Boqin |Qi]] and to the south by the powerful state of Chu...
(鲁国) and the State of Song
Song (state)
Sòng was a state during the Eastern Zhou Spring and Autumn Period . Its capital was Shangqiu . In 701 BC, a political marriage between Lady Yong of Song and Duke Zhuang of Zheng empowered Song to manipulate the management of Zheng.- Origin :After King Wu of Zhou overthrew King Zhou of Shang,...
(宋國), stayed away from the festivities.
In October later that year, Qi Huan Gong used this discourtesy as an excuse to attack Xianli and his three brothers. After ten days his siege of their walled city was successful, and they fled with 200 members of the royal family to the State of Ju
Ju (state)
The State of Ju was an ancient Dongyi state in the area of modern day Shandong Province, People's Repulic of China during the Zhou Dynasty . Shuowen Jiezi said Ju means Taro or a wooden tool. It was weakened by wars with the states of Chu and Qi. Finally, the state was annexed by the State of Qi....
(莒国), where his son, Qiyi (祁義) was the first to change his clan name to Tan
Tan (surname)
Tan is a Chinese surname. In a 2006 study of the 100 most common Chinese surnames, Tan was found to be the 67th most common. It is also used in Korea, although very rarely.-Origin:Two origins have been suggested for the Tan surname:...
(譚) in memory of their homeland which had been laid waste.
Today Tancheng
Tancheng County
Tancheng County is a county of Linyi, Shandong province, People's Republic of China.Tancheng is located on the southern edge of the province of Shandong, about 90 kilometres south of Linyi and 400 kilometres south east of Jinan, the capital city of Shandong province.The population in 2001 was...
(郯城) claims to be the ancient capital of Tan Guo. However it has also been argued that it is rather the capital of a State of Tan established during the Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The 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...
. Others argue that that the ancient capital is today Mingshui (明水) the capital of the City of Zhangqiu
Zhangqiu
Zhangqiu City - History :Originally called Zhangqiu County with Mingshui as its capital, Zhangqiu City was established in August 1992. Located in central Shandong province, Zhangqiu is 50 kilometers to the east of Jinan, the capital of Shandong province. It is 120 kilometers north from Mount Tai...
(章丘).