The Spring and Autumn Period
The fall of the Western Zhou dynasty marked the start of the Spring and Autumn Period (722 BCE- 403 BC). The crumbling Zhou dynasty did not have strong forces in the eastern territories. With the Zhou populations rapidly reducing, limited to small towns like Luoyang. Subsequently Zhou kings had to request help from neighboring or superior states for protection and resolution of internal power struggles. The Zhou courts would never regain its original authority. At this time the Zhou's military power was rapidly depleting. The states that were newer to the power were more eager to to maintain certain privileges over the traditional deal of supporting the weak at times of unrest.
Dukes Huan of Qi and Wen of Jin made further steps in installing the overlordship system, which brought relative stability, but in shorter time periods. The people came to favor the most powerful states, Qi, Jin and the Chu. The overlord role gradually drifted from its stated intention; the overlordship eventually became a system hegemony of major states over weaker states of Chinese and Barbarian origin.
The 3 states of Qi, Jin and the Qi not only optimized their own strength, but also repelled the southern state of Chu whose rulers had proclaimed themselves themselves kings. The Chu armies gradually intruded into the Yellow River Basin Framing Chu as the "southern barbarian", Chu Man was merely a pretext to warn Chu not to intervene into their respective balances of influences. Chu influence was checked in three major battles with increasing violence (The battle of Chengpu, the Battle of Bi and the battle of Yanling).
After a time of brutal warfare, the Qi, Qin, Jin and the Chu met for a peaceful conference in 579 BCE. Eventually in 546 BCE, Jin and the Chu agreed to truce.
Dukes Huan of Qi and Wen of Jin made further steps in installing the overlordship system, which brought relative stability, but in shorter time periods. The people came to favor the most powerful states, Qi, Jin and the Chu. The overlord role gradually drifted from its stated intention; the overlordship eventually became a system hegemony of major states over weaker states of Chinese and Barbarian origin.
The 3 states of Qi, Jin and the Qi not only optimized their own strength, but also repelled the southern state of Chu whose rulers had proclaimed themselves themselves kings. The Chu armies gradually intruded into the Yellow River Basin Framing Chu as the "southern barbarian", Chu Man was merely a pretext to warn Chu not to intervene into their respective balances of influences. Chu influence was checked in three major battles with increasing violence (The battle of Chengpu, the Battle of Bi and the battle of Yanling).
After a time of brutal warfare, the Qi, Qin, Jin and the Chu met for a peaceful conference in 579 BCE. Eventually in 546 BCE, Jin and the Chu agreed to truce.
List of Weapons of the Period
Tomahawk with pattern
Bronze Chariot and harness
Iron helmet of Spring and Autumn Period
Leather Armor
Iron Sword with bronze handle
Bronze lance
The Fuchai sword of King Wu Bamboo Bow
The lance of Zhuji Yuci Bronze lance Stone Arrowheads
Human Figured sword Jade Tomahawk Bingbi Taisui inscribed Dagger-Axe
Four horse chariot Golden Dagger-Axe Chariot Accesories
Warship Lacquer sheild Iron Arrows
Bronze Tomahawk The Lance of the Yue King
Dagger-Axe Dagger-Axe of Shiye the Han King
Bronze Chariot and harness
Iron helmet of Spring and Autumn Period
Leather Armor
Iron Sword with bronze handle
Bronze lance
The Fuchai sword of King Wu Bamboo Bow
The lance of Zhuji Yuci Bronze lance Stone Arrowheads
Human Figured sword Jade Tomahawk Bingbi Taisui inscribed Dagger-Axe
Four horse chariot Golden Dagger-Axe Chariot Accesories
Warship Lacquer sheild Iron Arrows
Bronze Tomahawk The Lance of the Yue King
Dagger-Axe Dagger-Axe of Shiye the Han King