Wu Wang

Year of birth unknown; died 1025 B.C. Founder of the Chou Dynasty of China.

The son of Wen Wang, the leader of the Chou tribe, Wu Wang defeated the forces of the Yin state in a battle at Mu in 1027 B.C. and united numerous tribes and peoples of North China to become the supreme ruler of the Chou state. He gave most of the conquered lands as appanages to relatives and retainers. In Chinese Confucian historiography, Wu Wang is depicted as a wise and virtuous ruler.