Xia dynasty
the first hereditary dynasty recorded in the Chinese dynasties (ca. 2100 BCE--1916 BCE), house of Xiahou
Xia dynasty (Chinese: 夏朝; Pinyin: xià cháo; Wade–Giles: Hsia-ch'ao) was the first dynasty of China. It was founded in 2100 BC and ended in 1600 BC. Until archaeologists dug at Erlitou in Henan Province, many scientists were not sure if the Xia Dynasty was real or a myth. The last king was Jie who was said to be cruel and greedy. He was defeated by T'ang, the king of the Shang people from the east.
Kings of the Xia dynasty
change| Names after death (Shi Hao 諡號)1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order | Reign2 | Chinese | Pinyin | Notes |
| 01 | 45 | 禹 | Yǔ | also Yu the Great (大禹; dà yǔ) |
| 02 | 10 | 啟 | Qǐ | |
| 03 | 29 | 太康 | Tai Kang | |
| 04 | 13 | 仲康 | Zhòng Kāng | |
| 05 | 28 | 相 | Xiāng | |
| 06 | 21 | 少康 | Shǎo Kāng | |
| 07 | 17 | 杼 | Zhù | |
| 08 | 26 | 槐 | Huái | |
| 09 | 18 | 芒 | Máng | |
| 10 | 16 | 泄 | Xiè | |
| 11 | 59 | 不降 | Bù Jiàng | |
| 12 | 21 | 扃 | Jiōng | |
| 13 | 21 | 廑 | Jǐn | Guoyu: jìn, putonghua: jǐn |
| 14 | 31 | 孔甲 | Kǒng Jiǎ | |
| 15 | 11 | 皋 | Gāo | |
| 16 | 11 | 發 | Fā | |
| 17 | 52 | 桀 | Jié | also Lu Gui (履癸 lǚ guǐ) |
| 1 Sometimes the king has the dynasty name, Xia (夏), in his name. For example, Xia Yu (夏禹). | ||||
| 2 Possible number of years. | ||||