The Spring and Autumn period was a period in Chinese history corresponding roughly to the first half of the Eastern Zhou, characterized by the gradual erosion of royal power as local lords nominally subject to the Zhou exercised increasing political autonomy. The period's name derives from the Spring and Autumn Annals, a chronicle of the state of Lu between 722 and 481 BCE, which tradition associates with Confucius.
According to Sima Qian, Confucius said: "The disciples who received my instructions, and could themselves comprehend them, were seventy-seven individuals. They were all scholars of extraordinary ability." It was traditionally believed that Confucius had three thousand students, but that only 72 mastered what he taught. The following is a list of students who have been identified as Confucius's followers. Very little is known of most of Confucius's students, but some of them are mentioned in the Analects of Confucius. Many of their biographies are recorded in the Sima Qian's Shiji. The Six Arts were practiced by the 72 disciples.
Duke Huan of Qi, personal name Xiǎobái (小白), was the ruler of the State of Qi from 685 to 643 BC. Living during the chaotic Spring and Autumn period, as the Zhou dynasty's former vassal states fought each other for supremacy, Duke Huan and his long-time advisor Guan Zhong managed to transform Qi into China's most powerful polity. Duke Huan was eventually recognized by most of the Zhou states as well as the Zhou royal family as Hegemon of China. In this position, he fought off invasions of China by non-Zhou peoples and attempted to restore order throughout the lands. Toward the end of his more than forty-year-long reign, however, Duke Huan's power began to decline as he grew ill and Qi came to be embroiled in factional strife. Following his death in 643 BC, Qi completely lost its predominance.
Duke Xiang of Song (宋襄公) was the leader in the state of Song in the Spring and Autumn period. His personal name was Zifu (子茲甫) and he took his throne in 650 BC.
Zichan (c.581-522) was a Chinese statesman during the late Spring and Autumn period. From 543 until his death in 522 BCE, he served as the chief minister of the State of Zheng. Also known as Gongsun Qiao (traditional Chinese: 公孫僑; simplified Chinese: 公孙侨, he is better known by his courtesy name Zichan.
Song was an ancient Chinese state during the Zhou dynasty with its capital at Shangqiu. The state was founded soon after King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang dynasty to establish the Zhou dynasty in 1046 BC. It was conquered by the state of Qi in 286 BC, during the Warring States period. Confucius is traditionally considered to have been a descendant of a Song nobleman who moved to the state of Lu.
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, sometimes alternatively referred to as the "Age of Hegemons". There are various lists of five hegemon 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.
Wei, commonly spelled Wey to distinguish from the contemporary larger Wei (魏) state, was an ancient Chinese state that was founded in the early Western Zhou dynasty and rose to prominence during the Spring and Autumn period. Its rulers were of the surname Ji (姬), the same as that of the rulers of Zhou. It was located in modern northeastern Henan Province, east of Jin, and west of Cao.
Duke Cheng of Lu, personal name Ji Heigong, was a ruler of the Lu state. A son of Duke Xuan of Lu and Mu Jiang, he reigned for 18 years from 590 BC to 573 BC. He was described as a weak ruler under the influence of his mother.
Shen Zhuliang, Duke of Ye (叶公) or Gao, Duke of Ye (叶公高), was a general and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China.
Zhong You, commonly known by his courtesy names Zilu and Jilu, was one of the best known and most faithful disciples of Confucius. Among Confucius's disciples, he was the second in terms of ability and accomplishment in statesmanship, after Ran Qiu. He was noted for his valour and sense of justice, but Confucius often warned him against acting without forethought. He was killed in the State of Wey in defence of his lord Kong Kui.
Duke Yi of Wey, given name Chi (赤), was a Zhou dynasty feudal lord and the 18th ruler of Wey. He was best known for his absurd lifestyle which led to a temporary fall of his state and to his death.
Zhao Dun, also known by his posthumous name as the Viscount Xuan of Zhao (趙宣子), also known as Zhao Meng (趙孟), was a leader of the Zhao clan in the Jin state, where he served as dafu (大夫). He was a son of Zhao Cui, whom he succeeded as clan leader.
The war of Qi's succession was a civil war in the State of Qi from 643 to 642 BCE, as the sons of Duke Huan of Qi fought against each other for the throne. Their struggle led to chaos in Qi and the intervention of several outside powers, until Duke Huan's intended heir, Prince Zhao, emerged victorious. Nevertheless, four of Prince Zhao's rival brothers remained at large and continued to conspire for the throne, leading to a succession crisis that plagued Qi for decades. As a result, the succession war and its consequences greatly weakened Qi, which lost its status as China's predominant state.
Zhao Wu, also known by his posthumous name as the Viscount Wen of Zhao, was a leader of the Zhao clan in the Jin state. He was the only son of Zhao Shuo, whom he succeeded as clan leader. The Chinese folktale The Orphan of Zhao was based on the story of Zhao Wu, which was adapted into the 18th century French play L'Orphelin de la Chine.
Duke Zhuang of Wey was a ruler of the Chinese state of Wey. He ruled the duchy between 480 BC until his death in 478 BC. His given name was Kuǎikùi (蒯聵).
Duke Chu of Wey was 29th ruler of the ancient Chinese state of Wey. He ruled the duchy twice: the first time between 493 BC and 481 BC, the second time between 477 BC and 470 BC. His given name was Zhé (輒).
Nanzi (南子) also called Wey Ling Nanzi was the consort of Duke Ling of Wey in the Spring and Autumn period. She was most famous for her meeting with Confucius in 496 BC. She was de facto ruler of Wey in the place of her spouse, who was disinterested in politics.
Kong Bo Ji, was a Chinese noblewoman.
Duke Xiang of Lu was a ruler of the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. His ancestral name was Ji (姬), given name Wu (午), and Duke Xiang was his posthumous title.
