Royals › Monarch / Emperor
Zhao Ji
Early Warring States ruler of Zhao, recognised as a marquis by King Weilie of Zhou in 403 BCE together with the rulers of Wei and Han
Mural of the event “Partition of Jin”, which this person took part in.
At the end of the Spring and Autumn period, power in Jin lay with its ministerial houses. In 453 BCE Han, Zhao and Wei combined at Jinyang to destroy the Zhi clan, and in 403 BCE King Weilie of Zhou named Wei Si, Zhao Ji and Han Qian as feudal lords, splitting Jin in three.
Also known as Marquis Lie of Zhao
- Roles
- Monarch / Emperor
Zhao Ji, known as Marquis Lie of Zhao, was the son of Marquis Xian and ruler of Zhao at the start of the Warring States period. In 403 BCE King Weilie of Zhou named Zhao Ji, Wei Si and Han Qian as feudal lords, turning the three Jin ministerial houses into recognised states; the Zizhi Tongjian opens with this event, known as the Partition of Jin. The Shiji records that he loved music and wished to grant land to singers until his minister Gongzhong Lian dissuaded him by recommending worthy men. He is the Zhao ruler enfeoffed in 'The Partition of Jin'.
Life and times
Dates Birth unknown; reigned 408–400 BCE
- 453 BCEPartition of JinTook part
- 403 BCEZhou King Recognizes Three Jin Lords