Duke Xiang of Song (宋襄公) (died 637 BC) was the leader in the state of Song in the Spring and Autumn Period. His name was Zifu (子茲甫) and he took his throne in 650 BC. After the death of Duke Huan of Qi (齊桓公), he wanted to become the next Ba (霸), or Overlord, and made war with Chu. In 638 BC he attacked the state of Zheng and met the troops from Chu, who were running to save Zheng. Despite giving the enemy a surprise attack, he waited for the enemy to go across the river in order to be a real gentleman. After a battle against the much stronger enemy, Duke Xiang’s troops were defeated thoroughly and he himself was badly hurt. He died in the following year. Centuries: 8th century BC - 7th century BC - 6th century BC Decades: 680s BC 670s BC 660s BC 650s BC 640s BC - 630s BC - 620s BC 610s BC 600s BC 590s BC 580s BC Events and Trends 637 BC - Josiah becomes king of Judah. ... Sòng (宋國) was a state during the Eastern Zhou Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC). ... The Spring and Autumn Period (Chinese: 春秋時代; Hanyu Pinyin: ) represented an era in Chinese history between 722 BC and 481 BC. The period takes its name from the Spring and Autumn Annals, a chronicle of the period whose authorship was traditionally attributed to Confucius. ... Centuries: 8th century BC - 7th century BC - 6th century BC Decades: 700s BC 690s BC 680s BC 670s BC 660s BC - 650s BC - 640s BC 630s BC 620s BC 610s BC 600s BC Events and Trends Occupation begins at Maya site of Piedras Negras, Guatemala 657 BC - Cypselus becomes the... Duke Huan of Qi (齊桓公, Qí Huán Gōng, died 643 BC) was the best-known ruler of the state of Qi in the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. ... State of Chu (small seal script, 220 BC) Chu (楚) was a kingdom in what is now southern China during the Spring and Autumn period (722-481 BCE) and Warring States Period (481-212 BCE). ... Centuries: 8th century BC - 7th century BC - 6th century BC Decades: 680s BC 670s BC 660s BC 650s BC 640s BC - 630s BC - 620s BC 610s BC 600s BC 590s BC 580s BC Events and Trends 637 BC - Josiah becomes king of Judah. ... Zheng (é„) was a Zhou city-state in the middle of ancient China, modern Henan Province. ...
The Song army was defeated, the Duke wounded in the thigh, and the officers of the Van [i.e.
This is the idiom known as SongXiang Zhi Ren 宋襄之仁 (the generosity of DukeXiang of Song) it is generally used as a mockery of being kind when you're not supposed to be.
Well, the duke of Song was very generous to his men and his personal bodyguards actually fought to the last man. This poor sod died in the end from the wounds received from that battle.
In 701 BC, a political marriage between Lady Yong of Song (宋雍氏) and Duke Zhuang of Zheng (as well as the capture of Zhai Zhong (祭仲), a leading warrior) empowered Song to manipulate the management of Zheng.
In 651 BC, Duke Huan of Song (宋桓公) died, leaving the district to be ruled by DukeXiang of Song (宋襄公) who reigned from 651 - 637 BC.
Mozi references this state in the chapter "Obvious Existence of Ghosts", in which he mentions a number of "Spring and Autumn Annals", includig the Zhou, Yan, and Qi as well.
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