Zhou Dynasty
/dʒoʊ ˈdaɪ.nə.sti/noun
The Chinese imperial dynasty that ruled much of ancient China from approximately 1046 to 256 BCE.
Did you know?The Zhou rulers popularized the Mandate of Heaven, the revolutionary idea that heaven could withdraw its cosmic approval from an unjust ruler and legitimize rebellion.
Etymological Timeline
c. 1046 BCE
Old Chinese
周
“Zhou; the name of the ruling house that overthrew the Shang dynasty”
c. 1046–256 BCE
Classical Chinese
周朝 (Zhōu cháo)
“The Zhou dynasty; literally, the Zhou court or dynastic era”
Ancient Greek
Greek
δυναστεία (dynasteía)
“Lordship, dominion, or rule by a powerful person”
Late Latin
Latin
dynastia
“A ruling family or succession of rulers”
16th Century
English
dynasty
“A succession of rulers from the same family”
Modern English
English
Zhou Dynasty
“The historical Chinese dynasty associated with the Mandate of Heaven and the rise of Confucian political thought”