KING WEN OF ZHOU

1152 BCE – 1050 BCE

The first emperor to claim rule via the Mandate of Heaven, Wen of Zhou espoused the divine right to govern through natural order and the will of the universe. Many writings in classical Chinese poetry praise Wen, and he is considered by some historians as the first epic hero of ancient China. Through sound economic policy he engendered prosperity among the people, while military campaigns extended the Zhou Dynasty’s territory.