In 771 BC the Zhou Dynasty was forced to flee from barbarian attack and shifted the capital east to Chengzhou (near present Luoyang). The period from 771 to 256 BC is known as the Eastern Zhou. Historians divided the period into the Spring and Autumn period (722-481 BC) and the Warring States (403-221 BC). Though the Zhou officially continued it did not hold any real power.
Soon here are some of the larger states which contended for power during the Spring and Autumn period. Extent of urbanisation based on "The spread of cities in China during the Spring and Autumns period" in Cultural Atlas of China.
Created and copyright (2004) by Yu Ninjie. Released under the GNU FDL.
Source: English Wikipedia, original upload 7 November 2004 by Yu Ninjie
In 771 BC the Zhou Dynasty was forced to flee from barbarian attack and shifted the capital east to Chengzhou (near present Luoyang). The period from 771 to 256 BC is known as the Eastern Zhou. Historians divided the period into the Spring and Aut