Xia Dynasty
Upon Yu's death, his position as leader was passed not to his deputy, but rather to his son Qi. Sources differ regarding the process by which Qi rose to this position. Most versions agree that Yu designated his deputy, Gaotao, to be his successor. When Gaotao died before him, Yu then selected Gaotao's son, Bo Yi as his successor. One version holds that all those who had submitted to Yu admired Qi more than Bo Yi, leading Yu to pass his power to Qi instead. Another version holds that Bo Yi ceremoniously offered the position to Qi, who accepted, against convention, because he had the support of other leaders. Yet another version claims that Qi killed Bo Yi and usurped his position as leader.
The version currently most accepted in China has Yu name Bo Yi as successor because of the fame Bo Yi had achieved teaching people to drive animals with fire during hunts. Bo Yi had the support of the people, which Yu could not easily stand against. However, the title Yu had given Bo Yi came without power; Yu gave his own son all the power in managing the country. After a few years, Bo Yi lost popularity, and Yu's son Qi became favored. Yu then named Qi as successor. Bo Yi did not go willingly and challenged Qi for the leadership. A civil war ensued. Qi, with strong support from the people, defeated Bo Yi's forces, killed Bo Yi, and solidified his own rule.
Qi's succession broke the previous convention of meritorious succession, and began what is traditionally regarded as the first dynasty of Chinese history. The dynasty is called "Xia" after Yu's center of power.
The Xia Dynasty is semi-mythological. The Records of the Grand Historian and the Bamboo Annals record the names of 17 kings of the Xia Dynasty. However, there is no conclusive archaeological evidence of its capital or its existence as a state of significant size. Some archaeological evidence for a significant urban civilization prior to the Shang Dynasty does now exist.
Read more about this topic: Chinese Mythology, Time Periods
Other articles related to "xia dynasty, xia, dynasty":
... The following table lists the rulers of Xia according to Sima Qian's Shiji ... Unlike Sima Qian's list of Shang Dynasty kings, which is closely matched by oracle bones from late in that period, records of Xia rulers have not yet been found in archeological ...
... This is a family tree for the Xia Dynasty which ruled circa 2100–1600 BC ... The historicity of the dynasty has sometimes been questioned, but circumstantial archaeological evidence supports its existence (1) Yu the Great 大禹 (2) Qi 啟 (3) Tai Kang ...
... Major site(s) possibly Erlitou The Xia Dynasty of China (from c. 1600 BC) is the first dynasty to be described in ancient historical records such as Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian and Bamboo Annals ... Although there is disagreement as to whether the dynasty actually existed, there is some archaeological evidence pointing to its possible existence ...