Duke Xian of Qin (725–704 BC)

Ruler of Qin

Duke Xian of Qin
秦憲公

Ruler of Qin
Reign| 715–704 BC
Predecessor| Duke Wen of Qin
Successor| Chuzi I

Born| 725 BC
Died| 704 BC (aged 21)
Spouse| Lu Ji (魯姬)
Wang Ji (王姬)
Issue| Duke Wu of Qin (by Lu Ji)
Duke De of Qin (by Lu Ji)
Chuzi I (by Wang Ji)
| Posthumous name

Duke Xian (憲公)
House| Ying
Dynasty| Qin
Father| Duke Jing of Qin (秦竫公)

Duke Xian of Qin (Chinese: 秦憲公; pinyin: Qín Xiàn Gōng, 725–704 BC), personal name unknown, was from 715 to 704 BC the monarch of the Qin state. His posthumous name was recorded as Duke Ning of Qin (秦寧公) in the Records of the Grand Historian by Western Han historian Sima Qian, but inscriptions on excavated bronzes from the era have proven that "Ning" (寧) was a miscopy of the correct character "Xian" (憲).[1]

## Accession to the throne[edit]

Duke Xian succeeded his grandfather Duke Wen of Qin, who ruled for 50 years and died in 716 BC. Duke Xian was made the crown prince after his father predeceased Duke Wen in 718 BC. His father was given the posthumous title Duke Jing of Qin (秦竫公) although he never ascended the throne.[2]

## Reign[edit]

In 714 BC, the second year of Duke Xian's reign, the Qin capital was moved to Pingyang (平陽, in present-day Baoji, Shaanxi). The next year Qin defeated the Rong state of Bo (亳), whose king escaped to the Rong homeland.[2]

In autumn 708 BC Qin attacked the minor state of Rui, but was defeated. Qin returned in winter with the army of King Huan of Zhou, defeated Rui, and captured Wan, Count of Rui.[3]

## Succession[edit]

In 704 BC Qin annexed Bo. Duke Xian died in the same year, aged 21. He had three young sons: the eldest, later known as Duke Wu of Qin, was the crown prince. The second son, later known as Duke De of Qin, was born to the same mother, Lu Ji (鲁姬). However, the ministers Fuji and Sanfu deposed the crown prince and installed the youngest son, by Duke Xian's other wife Wang Ji (王姬), on the throne. The boy was only five years old and would become known as Chuzi.[2]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Han, Zhaoqi (2010). "Annals of Qin". Annotated Shiji (in Chinese). Zhonghua Book Company. pp. 353–359. ISBN 978-7-101-07272-3.
2. ^ a b c Sima Qian. 秦本纪 [Annals of Qin]. Records of the Grand Historian (in Chinese). guoxue.com. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
3. ^ Zuo Qiuming (translation by James Legge). "Book VII. Duke Huan". Zuo Zhuan (in Chinese and English). University of Virginia. Retrieved 2 May 2012. Chapter IV.

Duke Xian of Qin (725–704 BC)

House of Ying

Born: 725 BC Died: 704 BC

Regnal titles
Preceded by

Duke Wen of Qin

|  Duke of Qin
715–704 BC  | Succeeded by

Chuzi I

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Rulers of Qin

Early rulers|

* Feizi
* Marquis of Qin
* Gongbo
* Qin Zhong
* Duke Zhuang

State of Qin|

* Duke Xiang
* Duke Wen
* Duke Xian
* Chuzi I
* Duke Wu
* Duke De
* Duke Xuan
* Duke Cheng
* Duke Mu
* Duke Kang
* Duke Gong
* Duke Huan
* Duke Jing
* Duke Ai
* Duke Hui I
* Duke Dao
* Duke Ligong
* Duke Zao
* Duke Huai
* Duke Ling
* Duke Jian
* Duke Hui II
* Chuzi II
* Duke Xian
* Duke Xiao
* King Huiwen
* King Wu
* King Zhaoxiang
* King Xiaowen
* King Zhuangxiang

Qin dynasty|

* Shi Huang
* Er Shi
* Ziying (as king of Qin)

Xia → Shang → Zhou → Qin → Han → 3 Kingdoms → Jìn / 16 Kingdoms → S. Dynasties / N. Dynasties → Sui → Tang → 5 Dynasties & 10 Kingdoms → Liao / Song / W. Xia / Jīn → Yuan → Ming → Qing → ROC / PRC
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