Zou (state)

Zou (Chinese邹) was a small Chinese state at the time of the Spring and Autumn Annals ( 722-481 BC) and the time of the Warring States Period ( 475 BC and 221 BC). His original name was Zhu (邾), but was later changed to Zou. The state Zou was located southwest of the present Shandong Province. Its territory lies on the today's independent city Zoucheng (邹城市) and other circuits, south of the ancient state of Lu.

The family name (姓) of the ruling family was Cao (曹). The state Zou was conquered and annexed by the state of Chu during the reign of King Xuan of Chu (楚 宣王) ( 369-340 BC).

The small state is home to the Chinese philosopher Mencius.

• Shandong
• Historical State (China)