King Wu of Chu

Xiong Che
楚武王
King of Chu
Reign704–690 BC
PredecessorNew title
SuccessorKing Wen
Viscount of Chu
Reign740–704 BC
PredecessorFenmao
SuccessorCrowned as the king
Names
Posthumous name
King Wu (武王)

King Wu of Chu (Chinese: 楚武王, died 690 BC) was the first king of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. He was the second son of Xiao'ao, and brother of former ruler Fenmao whom he is rumored to have murdered in 740 BC in order to usurp the throne.[A] He was also the first ruler among Zhou's vassal states to style himself "king"; Chu was one of a few states where local rulers declared themselves kings during the Spring and Autumn period. Other states include Wu and Yue.