Duke Hui of Qi (; died 599 BC) was from 608 to 599 BC ruler of the

State of Qi Qi, or Ch'i in Wade–Giles romanization, was a state of the Zhou dynasty-era in ancient China, variously reckoned as a march, duchy, and independent kingdom. Its capital was Linzi, located in present-day Shandong. Qi was founded sh ...

, a major power during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. His personal name was Lü Yuan (呂元), ancestral name Jiang ( 姜), and Duke Hui was his

posthumous title A posthumous name is an honorary name given mostly to the notable dead in East Asian culture. It is predominantly practiced in East Asian countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and Thailand. Reflecting on the person's accomplishments o ...

. He was known as Prince Yuan before ascending the throne.

Accession to the throne

Duke Hui's father was Duke Huan of Qi, who was the first of the

Five Hegemons The Five Hegemons () refers to several especially powerful rulers of Chinese states of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history (770 to 476 BCE), sometimes alternatively referred to as the "Age of Hegemons". There are various lists of five ...

, the most powerful rulers of the Spring and Autumn period. Duke Huan had at least three main wives who bore no sons, six favoured concubines, and more than ten sons. Duke Hui was then known as Prince Yuan, and his mother was the younger Wey Ji, one of two princesses of the State of Wey who were among Duke Huan's favoured concubines. Five other sons of Duke Huan also contended for the throne: Prince

Wukui Wukui () or Wugui () (died 642 BC), was for three months in early 642 BC ruler of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. His personal name was Lü Wúkuī (呂無虧) or Lü Wúguǐ (呂無詭), ancestral name Jian ...

, Crown Prince Zhao (later Duke Xiao), Prince Pan (later Duke Zhao), Prince Shangren (later Duke Yì), and Prince Yong. When Duke Huan died in the tenth month of 643 BC, the six princes fought one another for the throne.

, the son of the elder Wey Ji, prevailed at first, but was killed three months later and replaced by Duke Xiao. Duke Xiao died after ten years of reign, and was succeeded by Duke Zhao whose supporters killed Duke Xiao's son. When Duke Zhao died in 613 BC, his son She ascended the throne, but was soon murdered by his uncle Duke Yì. Duke Yì reigned for four years before being killed by Bing Chu (邴歜) and Yan Zhi (閻職) in 609 BC. The ministers of Qi deposed Duke Yì's son and installed his brother Prince Yuan, who was then exiled in the State of Wey, on the throne. Prince Yuan, posthumously known as Duke Hui of Qi, was the last of the five sons of Duke Huan to ascend the Qi throne.

Reign and succession

In 607 BC, the second year of Duke Hui's reign, the Long Di tribes invaded Qi. Qi general Wangzi Chengfu (王子城父) defeated the invaders and killed their leader Rongru (榮如). Duke Hui reigned for ten years and died in 599 BC. He was succeeded by his son Wuye, Duke Qing of Qi. Duke Hui favoured the official Cui Zhu (崔杼). After Duke Hui's death the powerful Gao and Guo clans of Qi expelled Cui, who fled to the State of Wey. Cui would later return to Qi and cause great turmoil in the state.

Family

Wives: * Xiao Tong Shu Zi, of the Zi clan (), the mother of Prince Wuye Sons: * Prince Wuye (; d. 582 BC), ruled as Duke Qing of Qi from 598–582 BC

Ancestry

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hui of Qi, Duke Year of birth unknown Monarchs of Qi (state) 7th-century BC Chinese monarchs 6th-century BC Chinese monarchs 599 BC deaths