A Study Of Chengyang State In The Han Dynasty

In202BC, Liu Bang founded Western Han Dynasty, who triumphed over Xiangyu in the war between Han and Chu. There were two political claims concerningabout the problem of local administrative system, the system of enfeoffment abolishedand set up, at that given time. Considering all these factors, Gaozu adopted “TheCo-system”.After the death of Gaozu, marquis-states’ power expanded and threatenedthe central, so Emperor Wen carried out "building marquis and lessening its force"policy, weakening the strength of the states. Emperor Jing adopted ChaoCuo’s a moreaggressive suggestion,"weakening kingdoms ", finally caused the states revolt,named "Qiguo Rebellion ". After putting down the rebellions, the power of states gotfurther weakening. Emperor Han Wu adopted extending affection, weakening states’powers thoroughly.Chengyang County was named Chengyang state by the Emperor Hanwen,prefecture of the Qi state. Liuzhang, who rendered meritorious service in the courtfight of uprooting Empress Lu and her adherents, was enfeoffed the Chengyangstate.Chengyang state was divided into53minor ones, which was typical.The capital of Chengyang state was Ju, an important agricultural region inShandong province， which possessed advanced farming technique. Handicraftsdeveloped fast during this time, and a wide variety of handicraft products wereunearthed. In addition, it has a long history and played an important role as theancient culture of Ju area.Chengyang state had a brief established in Eastern Han Dynasty， coveringLangya and East Sea. But the economic and cultural tradition preserved here.This essay uses the historical documents and the achievement of the formerresearch that related to the Chengyang state, combining with the background of thepolitical, the economic and the culture in Western Han Dynasty. The main body of theessay includes three chapters: the first chapter elaborates the political evolution,including territory, official system and pedigree, the second one includes the outlookof its economic development in terms of archaeological materials, such as farmingtechnique and handicrafts, and the third part elaborates culture of Chengyang state,like the culture inheritance of Ju, Jing Wang Temple.