Yue

Yue was a state in South China and Taiwan (East Asia) that lasted from c. 510 to 306 BCE, about 204 years. Its people spoke Kra-Dai languages (Thai, Lao, Shan, Zhuang).

A coastal state of Zhejiang famous for fine bronze swords such as that of King Goujian, who conquered Wu in 473 BCE after years of humiliation. Chu broke it up in the late 4th century BCE.

See Yue on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 510 to 306 BCE
Duration: 204 years
Type: State
Region: South China and Taiwan, East Asia
Language family: Kra-Dai
Capital: Kuaiji (Shaoxing)

Became

Minyue c. 334 to 110 BCE

Neighbours in East Asia

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
Zhangzhung c. 500 BCE to 644 CE
Shu kingdom (Jinsha) c. 1150 to 316 BCE
Qi c. 1046 to 221 BCE
Yan c. 1046 to 222 BCE
Lu c. 1042 to 249 BCE
Jin (Zhou state) c. 1033 to 376 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
Greek city-states c. 800 to 338 BCE, Europe
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
Empire of Alexander the Great 336 to 323 BCE, Europe

Questions

When did Yue exist?

c. 510 to 306 BCE, about 204 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Yue?

South China and Taiwan, in East Asia. Its capital was Kuaiji (Shaoxing).

What language did Yue speak?

Kra-Dai. This family includes Thai, Lao, Shan, Zhuang.

What came after Yue?

Minyue.