King Xiaowen of Qin
King Xiaowen of Qin (303–251 BC) was a Chinese king, who had a very brief reign. He is also known as Lord Anguo (安國君). His grandson was Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
King Xiaowen of Qin 秦孝文王 | |||||
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Reign | 12 November 251 BC – 14 November 251 BC | ||||
Predecessor | King Zhaoxiang | ||||
Successor | King Zhuangxiang | ||||
Born | 303 BC | ||||
Died | 251 BC (aged 51–52) | ||||
Spouse | Queen Dowager Huayang Queen Dowager Xia | ||||
Issue | King Zhuangxiang of Qin | ||||
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Father | King Zhaoxiang of Qin | ||||
Mother | Queen Dowager Tang |
Biography
Xiaowen was a son of the King Zhaoxiang of Qin and Queen Tang and grandson of Queen Dowager Xuan.
He was a king of the Qin for less than one year, and died three days after his coronation.
This gave rise to many theories as to his short reign. The most accepted one is that he was very old when he ascended to the throne (his father ruled for over 50 years).[1]
However, there is a conspiracy theory: that Lü Buwei poisoned the king or at least hastened his death, to put the next king, King Zhuangxiang of Qin onto the throne. This is supported in a way by the fact that Zhuangxiang reigned for only 3 years.[2]
Family
- Parents:
- Prince Ji (公子稷; 325–251 BC), ruled as King Zhaoxiang of Qin from 306–251 BC
- Queen Dowager Tang, of the Tang lineage (唐太后 唐氏)
- Queens:
- Queen Dowager Huayang, of the Xiong lineage of the Mi clan of Chu (華陽太后 羋姓 熊氏; 296–230 BC), a royal of Chu by birth
- Queen Dowager Xia, of the Xia lineage (夏太后 夏氏; 300–240 BC), the mother of Crown Prince Yiren
- Sons:
- Crown Prince Yiren (太子異人; 281–247 BC), renamed Zichu (子楚); ruled as King Zhuangxiang of Qin from 250–247 BC
References
- Nicola Di Cosmo, The Northern Frontier in Pre-Imperial China//The Cambridge History of Ancient China, p. 961
- Sellman, James D. "The Spring and Autumn Annals of Master Lu", in Great Thinkers of the Eastern World, Ian McGreal, ed. New York: Harper Collins, 1995:39.
King Xiaowen of Qin Died: 251 BC | ||
Regnal titles | ||
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Preceded by King Zhaoxiang |
King of Qin 251 BC |
Succeeded by King Zhuangxiang |