Battle of Muye

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Battle of Muye
Date 1046 BC Location Central Henan - near Yinxu? Result Zhou victory
Combatants
Shang	Zhou and its alliances
Commanders
Di Xin	Wu
Strength
170,000 slaves	300 Chariots;3,000 elite;and 45,000 footmen(Zhou)

The Battle of Muye (or Mu) (牧野之戰) was fought in China in 1046 BC. The battle led to the end of the Shang dynasty, and the beginning of the Zhou dynasty. The Zhou dynasty marks the beginning of the feudal phase of Chinese history.

[edit] Background

By the 13th century BC, Shang influence had reached what is now Gansu Province, a region that was occupied by a people known as the Zhou. Wen (Ji Chang), the ruler of the Zhou, who was a Shang vassal, was given the title "Count of the West" by the king Di Xin of Shang. Di Xin used Wen to guard his rear while he was involved in a south-eastern campaign. Shou Xin, fearing Wen's growing power, imprisoned him. Wen's son Wu (Ji Fa) led the Zhou in a revolt.

[edit] Battle

Wu led an army about 50,000. Di Xin's army was on war in the east.So He had to give the slaves the weapons to protect the capitol. The slaves didn't want to fight and joined the Zhou army. The Zhou were victorious and showed little mercy to the defeated Shang, shedding enough blood "to float a log". After the battle Di Xin committed suicide in his palace, leaving Wu master of most of the Huang He valley. Wu proclaimed the Zhou dynasty.