Lu: Map & History
Lu was a vassal state during the Zhou dynasty of ancient China located around modern southwest Shandong.
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Lu was a vassal state during the Zhou dynasty of ancient China located around modern southwest Shandong. Founded in the 11th century BC, its rulers were from a cadet branch of the House of Ji (姬) that ruled the Zhou dynasty. The first duke was Boqin, a son of the Duke of Zhou, who was brother of King Wu of Zhou and regent to King Cheng of Zhou.
Modern Countries Once Part of Lu
At its mapped extent, Lu covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Lu's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Lu in Depth
History
Lu was one of several states founded in eastern China at the very beginning of the Zhou dynasty, in order to extend Zhou rule far from its capital at Zongzhou and power base in the Guanzhong region. Throughout Western Zhou times, it played an important role in stabilising Zhou control in modern-day Shandong.
During the early Spring and Autumn period, Lu was one of the strongest states and a rival of Qi to its north. Under Duke Yin and Duke Huan of Lu, Lu defeated both Qi and Song on several occasions. At the same time, it undertook expeditions against other minor states.
This changed by the middle of the period, as Lu's main rival, Qi, grew increasingly dominant.
Geography
The state's capital was in Qufu and its territory mainly covered the central and southwest regions of what is now Shandong Province. It was bordered to the north by the powerful state of Qi and to the south by the powerful state of Chu. The position of Lu on the eastern frontiers of the Western Zhou state, facing the non-Zhou peoples in states such as Lai and Xu, was an important consideration in its foundation.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Lu (state) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Lu: Key Facts
| Capitals | Diyarbakır, Tabriz, Baghdad |
|---|---|
| Official language | Persian |
| Form of government | monarchy, absolutism |
| Currency | Tenge |
| Founded | 1378 |
| Dissolved | 1508 |
Facts from Wikidata Q555994 (CC0).
Lu Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Lu appears, with the other states of the time.
Lu Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 43,571 km² in 616 BCE.
Lu: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Lu exist?
Lu is dated to 750 BCE – 248 BCE, in the Bronze & Iron Age Civilizations era.
What was the capital of Lu?
The capital of Lu was 1. Lushan (today Lushan), 2. City of Yan (today Qufu), 3. Qufu (today Qufu).
How large was Lu at its peak?
At its peak in 616 BC Lu covered about 43,571 km².
How did the map of Lu change over time?
Lu appears on 3 dated world maps in the atlas, from 750 BCE to 323 BCE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
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