Zhou - (c.1050 - 256 B.C.)

The western vassal state of Zhou, settled along the Wei River, had grown so powerful that it controlled virtually two-thirds of the Shang territorities by the last years of that dynasty. Around 1045 B.C. the Zhou ruler Wu, the Martial King, captured Anyang and caused the suicide of the last Shang ruler. The victorious Zhou ruler built a new capital at Xi'an (Chang'an). Zhou Gong, the young successor of Wu, was the architect of the dynasty that was to have the longest rule in Chinese history.

Zhou rule was established by setting up 'feudal' networks consisting of fifty or more vassal states presided over by sons of Zhou rulers. While this kinship system of authority continued from the Shang period, the Zhou rulers also introduced the theory of Heaven's mandate claiming their sanctions to rule from a broad, impersonal diety - Heaven (tian). This mandate (tianming) was ostensibly conferred on a family that was morally worthy of the responsibility of kingship.

Zhou pottery was fairly austere in coarse gray clay, sometimes reddish, with decorations in cord-marked designs, geometric shapes or the ogre design which was well known in the Shang bronzes. Common shapes were wide mouthed bowls with flat bottoms .

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