The Research On Vassal States In Nanyang Basin During The Zhou Dynasty

Nanyang basin is between The Yellow River and the Yangtze River,which is an intermontane basin with the characteristics of transitional between northern and southern of China.It has a special geographical location,and the traffic is very convenient.This special geographical characteristics influence the cultural tradition of Nanyang basin.From the Neolithic Age to the Zhou Dynasty,Nanyang basin had always became the zone of competition between the north and south political power,and its culture was under the influence of the southern and the northern.This cultural traditions in the Neolithic Age was characterized by the dual effects of the south and north.The northern Peiligang culture,Yangshao culture in the Central Plains Area and the southern Qujialing culture had both affected this area.In the Xia Dynasty and Shang Dynasty period,the Central Plains Dynasty attached great importance to the management of Nanyang basin.In the Western Zhou Dynasty period,Zhou Dynasty enfeoffed many vassal states in here,and continued to operate in Nanyang basin,so these vassal states' culture was under the influence of Zhou culture.After the late Western Zhou Dynasty,the Chu state in the southern was gradually arisen.As the “South Territory” of Zhou Dynasty and the Northern Borders of Chu State,Nanyang basin was becoming more important on the geopolitical strategy,also became the competition region between Zhou Dynasty and Chu State.Ultimately,the Nanyang basin was occupied by Chu State.These vassal states in the Nanyang basin,was under the influence of Chu culture,and became a part of the Chu culture.