Map Introduction

Contending States of the Warring States Period The "Seven Hegemonic States of the Warring States" is the collective name for the seven most powerful states during the Warring States period. After the prolonged wars for hegemony throughout the Spring and Autumn period, the number of feudal states within the realm of the Zhou Dynasty significantly decreased. The Zhou royal house nominally remained the supreme ruler over all under Heaven but existed in name only. The feudal states incessantly attacked each other, leading to constant warfare. Following the partition of Jin by the three states, Zhao, Wei, and Han rose to prominence among the powerful states. Coupled with the Tian clan's usurpation of the state of Qi, the pattern of the Seven Hegemonic States was formally established, namely: Qin, Chu, Qi, Yan, Zhao, Wei, and Han.

Map Source

The historical map of the lords' situations(350 BC) of the Warring States period in China is sourced from The Historical Atlas of China, Volume 1(2)—Maps of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods, published by SinoMaps Press on October 1, 1982, with Tan Qixiang as its author.

The Historical Atlas of China is an atlas focusing primarily on the historical administrative divisions and territories of China throughout its dynasties, compiled under the chief editorship of Tan Qixiang. The entire work spans from the primitive society to the end of the Qing dynasty, organized into 8 volumes and 20 sections according to historical periods, containing a total of 304 maps (not including illustrations). All maps juxtapose historical and modern geography. The compilation of this atlas began in the 1950s, it was seriously disturbed during the cultural revolution. The internal edition was published in 1975 but contained numerous errors. Publication of Volumes 1-8 occurred successively starting in 1982. The Historical Atlas of China is a rare and valuable resource for studying the historical administrative divisions of China.

Related Maps

• Historical Map of the Warring States Period in China
• Historical Map of the States of Han and Wei during the Warring States Period in China
• Historical Map of the States of Zhao and Zhongshan during the Warring States Period in China
• Historical Map of the States of Qi, Lu, and Song during the Warring States Period in China
• Historical Map of the State of Yan during the Warring States Period in China
• Historical Map of the States of Qin and Shu during the Warring States Period in China
• Historical Map of the States of Chu and Yue during the Warring States Period in China