Yan

Yan was a state in North China (East Asia) that lasted from c. 1046 to 222 BCE, about 824 years. Its people spoke Chinese languages (Sinitic languages).

The northernmost Zhou state, based near Beijing, which built long walls against the Donghu. Its crown prince Dan sent the assassin Jing Ke against the King of Qin, and Qin destroyed Yan in 222 BCE.

See Yan on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 1046 to 222 BCE
Duration: 824 years
Type: State
Region: North China, East Asia
Language family: Chinese
Capital: Ji (Beijing)

Events in East Asia during its time

1046 BCE Battle of Muye
551 BCE Birth of Confucius

Neighbours in East Asia

Shang dynasty c. 1600 to 1046 BCE
Chu c. 1030 to 223 BCE
Gojoseon c. 700 to 108 BCE
Qin (Zhou state) c. 770 to 221 BCE
Eastern Zhou 770 to 256 BCE
Western Zhou 1046 to 771 BCE
Zhangzhung c. 500 BCE to 644 CE
Shu kingdom (Jinsha) c. 1150 to 316 BCE
Qi c. 1046 to 221 BCE
Lu c. 1042 to 249 BCE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Carthage c. 814 to 146 BCE, North and West Africa
Roman Republic 509 to 27 BCE, Europe
Parthian Empire 247 BCE to 224 CE, Middle East
Greek city-states c. 800 to 338 BCE, Europe
Neo-Assyrian Empire 911 to 609 BCE, Middle East
Ptolemaic Kingdom 305 to 30 BCE, North and West Africa
Achaemenid Empire 550 to 330 BCE, Middle East
Athens 508 to 322 BCE, Europe
Maurya Empire 322 to 185 BCE, South Asia
Empire of Alexander the Great 334 to 312 BCE, Middle East

Questions

When did Yan exist?

c. 1046 to 222 BCE, about 824 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Yan?

North China, in East Asia. Its capital was Ji (Beijing).

What language did Yan speak?

Chinese. This family includes Sinitic languages.