The Five Hegemons (), also referred to as the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period (), refers to several especially powerful rulers of Chinese states of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history (770–476 BCE), sometimes alternatively referred to as the "Age of Hegemons". There are various lists of five rulers of those certain states which rose to power over the other states of this time period, states which were also formed during the period of dissolution of a once real and strong central state, namely the empire of the Zhou dynasty. The Hegemons mobilized the remnants of the Zhou empire, according to shared mutual political and martial interests. An especially prominent Hegemon was Duke Huan of Qi.
Pronunciation and meaning In ancient Chinese, (Old Chinese: ;Baxter, William; Sagart, Lauren (2011). "Baxter–Sagart Old Chinese Reconstruction" (archived pdf). p. 109 of 187 Pinyin: ) '' has a similar meaning and pronunciation to (Old Chinese: ;Baxter, William; Sagart, Lauren (2011). "Baxter–Sagart Old Chinese Reconstruction" (archived pdf). p. 110 of 187 Pinyin: ), which means 'the eldest son born to the principal wife in a family', or 'senator'. Both and can be translated as the 'Five Hegemons'. () literally means 'five', but in the context of ancient Chinese also has a more generally qualitative and less precisely quantitative use, implying completeness.
Use of the term During the Spring and Autumn era itself, the hegemony tended to apply to states; it was therefore possible to speak of the State of Jin and the State of Chu struggling for hegemony over the Zhou states. In historical accounts it instead became associated with individual rulers, namely the ones who first brought their respective states to a dominant position. During the Spring and Autumn period the reigns of each hegemon tended to correspond with the zenith of their state's power.
Timeline of the most prominent hegemonsyears in BCE
The Hegemon System The concept of hegemony arose out of the weakness of the Eastern Zhou dynasty. Whilst its predecessor, the Western Zhou dynasty, was also feudal in nature, the centre was strong enough to command the obedience of most of its vassals, as well as to maintain a central army. The death of King You of Zhou and the sack of the Zhou capital in 771 BC rendered the position of the central court untenable and eventually dependent on the protection of neighbouring states.
The concept of the Hegemon was important to the interstate relations during the Spring and Autumn period, since the Hegemon was nominally charged with underwriting the stability of the whole system, often heading a league of smaller states whose security was to some extent guaranteed by the state, in exchange for tribute.
The Five Hegemons These are the two most commonly used lists of hegemons.
The Records of the Grand Historian lists:
Duke Huan of Qi () Duke Xiang of Song () Duke Wen of Jin () Duke Mu of Qin () King Zhuang of Chu ()
Alternatively, the Xunzi lists:
Duke Huan of Qi Duke Wen of Jin King Zhuang of Chu Helü, King of Wu () Goujian, King of Yue ()
The first two hegemons are widely referred to in primary sources (e.g. Zuo Zhuan) and therefore rarely disputed because Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin themselves were officially rewarded the hegemony by the Zhou kings Xi and Xiang in 679 BCE and in 632 BCE, respectively.Zuozhuan "Duke Zhuang - 15th year - zhuan" quote: "" translation based on Durrant, Li, & Schaberg (2016): "In the fifteenth year, in spring, they once again held a meeting there [i.e. at Juan ]: Qi was for the first time acting as Overlord / Hegemon."Shiji "Basic Annals of Zhou" quote: "" translation: "In King Xi's third year, Duke Huan of Qi for the first time acted as Hegemon / Overlord."Zuo zhuan "Duke Xi - 28th year - zhuan". quote: "" translation based on Durrant, Li, & Schaberg (2016): "On the jiyou day (12), the king offered ceremonial toasts and presented sweet wine, commanding the Marquis of Jin to offer toasts. The king commanded the Yin lineage's head, the Royal Prince Hu, and the court-scribe Shuxingfu to draw up a document on bamboo strips commanding the Marquis of Jin to act as Overlord / Hegemon of the Marquises. [...]"Shiji, "Basic Annals of Zhou" translation: "" translation: "In the 17th year, King Xiang announced an emergency to (and asked for emergency help from) Jin, Duke Wen of Jin installed the King in power and slew Shudai. The King then bestowed upon Duke Wen a jade tablet, sacrificial wine, bow, and arrows, made him Hegemon / Overlord, and gave Jin lands on the inside of the Yellow River."Durrant, Li, & Schaberg (translators) (2016). Zuo tradition: Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals. fn. 68 on p. 722. Quote: "Lord Huan of Qi and Lord Wen of Jin figure in all versions."
Zuo Zhuan also recognizes Duke Dao of Jin as a hegemon.Chun Qiu Zuo Zhuan "Duke Cheng's 18th year - zhuan", relevant passage (). For translations see Legge (1872: 409-410) or Durrant, Li, & Schabert (2016: 871-873)
Duke Zhuang of Zheng () and Fuchai King of Wu ()Yan Shigu's commentary on Book of Han, "vol. 14". quote: () were also amongst the contenders aside of the seven rulers mentioned above.
These lists are:
The Ci Tong () lists: Duke Zhuang of Zheng () Duke Huan of Qi Duke Wen of Jin Duke Mu of Qin King Zhuang of Chu
The lists: Duke Huan of Qi Duke Wen of Jin Duke Mu of Qin King Zhuang of Chu Goujian, King of Yue
The Bai Hu Tong lists:
Duke Huan of Qi Duke Wen of Jin Duke Mu of Qin King Zhuang of Chu Helü, King of Wu
Yan Shigu, who comments on the Book of Han, lists: Duke Huan of Qi Duke Xiang of Song Duke Wen of Jin Duke Mu of Qin Fuchai, King of Wu ()
Notes
See also Four Lords of the Warring States