Zeng (state)

State of Zeng 曾国
Western Zhou (1045–771 BC)[1]–5th century BC[1]
Map showing the state of Zeng during Zhou dynasty
History
• Established	Western Zhou (1045–771 BC)[1]
• Disestablished	5th century BC[1]

Zeng (曾国; Zēngguó) or Tsang was a historical state in China. The state existed during the time of the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC) and had territory in the area around Suizhou in modern Hubei province. Archaeological findings indicate that Zeng could have been the same state as Sui. The state of Zeng got attention partly because of the finding of Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng in 1978.

The center of the territory of Zeng was in the western part of Suizhou^[2] and findings indicate that the area reached up to the south west border of Henan province.^[1] Suizhou was an important military hub because of its strategic location towards the threatening state of Chu.^[3] The area was also an important transport route between Chinese Central Plateau and the copper findings at the middle Yangtze.^[4] All the tombs of the lords of Zeng state were found within 10 km from each other in Suizhou.^[4]

A historical record indicate that the state of Zeng was founded during the time of Western Zhou (1045 – 771 BC) and had its peak of political ambitions in the beginning of Eastern Zhou (770–256 BC). Zeng still existed in the beginning of the Warring States period that started in the early 5th-century BC.^[1]

Zeng was mentioned in the historical chronicle Spring and Autumn Annals where also another state named Zeng was mentioned that was located in the Shandong province.^[1]