Overview
Wu (Chinese: 吳; pinyin: Wú, Old Chinese: *ŋʷˤa) was a state during the Western Zhou dynasty and the Spring and Autumn period, outside the Zhou cultural sphere. It was also known as Gouwu (句吳) or Gongwu (工/攻吳) from the pronunciation of the local language. Wu was located at the mouth of the Yangtze River east of the State of Chu and south of the State of Qi. Its first capital was at Meili (梅里, in modern Wuxi), then Helü's City (闔閭, in present-day Xueyan town near Wuxi), and later moved to Gusu (姑蘇, probably in modern Suzhou).
Historical Periods
Wu (-750–-551)
750 BCE – 551 BCE
Capital: Wu CountyArea: 193,430 km²
Wu (-550–-481)
550 BCE – 481 BCE
Capital: Wu CountyArea: 193,430 km²
Wu (-480–-451)
480 BCE – 451 BCE
Capital: Wu CountyArea: 82,999 km²