Duke Ding of Lu
| Duke Ding of Lu 魯定公 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruler of Lu | |||||||||
| Reign | 24 May 509-495 BC | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Duke Zhao of Lu | ||||||||
| Successor | Duke Ai of Lu | ||||||||
| Died | 495 BC | ||||||||
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| House | House of Ji | ||||||||
| Father | Duke Xiang of Lu | ||||||||
Duke Ding of Lu (Chinese: 魯定公; pinyin: Lǔ Dìng Gōng, 556 BC – 495 BC) was a ruler of the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. His ancestral name was Ji (姬), given name Song (宋), and Duke Ding was his posthumous title.
Since the reign of Duke Xuan of Lu, The politics of Lu had been dominated by multiple cadet branches of the ducal house, particularly the Three Huan. Efforts of Confucius, who served as Lu's Minister of Crime (大司寇), to curb the power of the Three Huan was only partially successful. Eventual political differences
Accession
Prince Song was a son of Duke Xiang of Lu and a younger brother of Duke Zhao of Lu, who, also being his predecessor, died in exile after being expelled by the Three Huan after a failed coup to remove them from power in 517 BC. Despite the absence of a duke for seven years, the Three Huan only made Prince Song the new duke after Duke Zhao's body was moved back to Lu. This was done despite the fact that Duke Zhao had sons of his own and had even designated one of them his heir.
Early Reign
Power Struggle Throughout the Realm
Contention Between Clan Leaders and Retainers
Conflict Between the Duke and the Three Huan
Later Reign
Death and Succession
In summer 495 BC, Duke Ding died and was succeeded by his son, Prince Jiang (), who would become known as Duke Ai of Lu