Teng (; 1046–414 BC) was a minor Chinese
vassal state
A vassal state is any state that has a mutual obligation to a superior state or empire, in a status similar to that of a vassal in the feudal system in medieval Europe. Vassal states were common among the empires of the Near East, dating back to ...
that existed during the
Spring and Autumn period
The Spring and Autumn period () was a period in History of China, Chinese history corresponding roughly to the first half of the Eastern Zhou (256 BCE), characterized by the gradual erosion of royal power as local lords nominally subject t ...
and the
Warring States period
The Warring States period in history of China, Chinese history (221 BC) comprises the final two and a half centuries of the Zhou dynasty (256 BC), which were characterized by frequent warfare, bureaucratic and military reforms, and ...
, and was located in the south of modern-day
Shandong
Shandong is a coastal Provinces of China, province in East China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history since the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River. It has served as a pivotal cultural ...
province.
Its territory is now the county-level city of
Tengzhou.
Teng's ruling family was the
Ji family, with the founder,
Shu Xiu of Cuo (錯叔繡), being the 14th brother of
King Wu of Zhou. It was conquered and annexed by the
Yue state during the reign of
Goujian
Teng was a vassal of the
Lu state, and is famed as the birthplace of the Chinese philosopher
Mozi and architect
Lu Ban. The name of the state survives in both the city of Tengzhou and the Chinese clan name of
Teng ().
It was conquered by King Zhugou (朱勾) of the Yue state. Then its nobility re-established the country. Finally it was annihilated by
King Kang of Song in 297 BC.
References
History of Shandong
Ancient Chinese states
States of the Spring and Autumn period
States of the Warring States period
Zhou dynasty
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