Xiong Yan (elder)
| Xiong Yan | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruler of Chu | |||||
| Reign | ?–848 BC | ||||
| |||||
Xiong Yan (Chinese: 熊延, died 848 BC) was the ninth ruler of the state of Chu during the Western Zhou dynasty of ancient China. Like other early Chu rulers, he held the hereditary noble rank of zi (子) first granted to his ancestor Xiong Yi by King Cheng of Zhou.[1]
Xiong Yan succeeded his older brother Xiong Zhi, who abdicated due to illness.[2] The Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) says that he killed Xiong Zhi and usurped the throne,[1] but this account is contradicted by earlier history books Zuo Zhuan and Guoyu.[2]
Xiong Yan died in 848 BC and was succeeded by his elder son Xiong Yong. His younger son, also Xiong Yan (熊嚴, different name with identical romanisation when tone marks are excluded), ascended the throne after Xiong Yong's death.[1]