I Ching: The Ancient Chinese Book of Changes

Neil Powell is an author and editor who lives in the UK.

Kieron Connolly’s books include Abandoned Civilisations, Abandoned Castles and The History of Hollywood. He is a graduate in history from the University of Edinburgh and in film from the National Film & Television School. A book editor and journalist, he has written for the Mail on Sunday, Daily Mail and The Times. He lives in London.

Confucius - the Latinized name of K'ung Fu-tzu (Great Master K'ung) - was a descendant of a branch of the Shang dynasty that ruled China from around 1122 BCE to 221 BCE. He was born around 551 BCE in what is now the province of Shantung in northeastern China. He worked in a number of roles before becoming a teacher. Around 498 BCE, he began a long journey throughout eastern China accompanied by several of his disciples, during which he developed his ideas on philosophy and the art of government, as well as teaching. He acquired a large following which has become known as the school of Ju (Confucianism). Confucius died in 479 BCE.

Dan, Duke Wen of Zhou, commonly known as the Duke of Zhou, was a member of the royal family of the early Zhou dynasty who played a major role in consolidating the kingdom established by his elder brother King Wu.