The era popularly known as the Zhou dynasty covers two time periods: the Western Zhou period (1045–771 BCE) and the Eastern Zhou period (770–221 BCE). During the Western Zhou period, the Zhou lineage ruled from the capital, Zongzhou,...

This article is about the ancient Chinese dynasty. For the Southern and Northern Dynasties period state, see Northern Zhou. See also Empress Wu Zetian of China, who also claimed the dynastic name Zhou for her brief reign from 690 to 705 AD; and also Wu...