King Jie of Xia of China (Chinese: "桀"), also spelled Chieh, was the last king of the Xia dynasty of China, and is blamed for its fall. He reputedly mistreated his people and became a tyrant. Records from the later Qin dynasty say that during the last year of Jie's reign, ice formed during the summer mornings and frosts occurred through July. Heavy rainfall toppled buildings, hot and cold weather arrived in disorder, and crops failed. Some scientists correlate this event with a volcanic winter, possibly due to the eruption of Thera c. 1628 BC.

Around 1600 BC, Tang, a leader of the Shang people to the east, succeeded in defeating Jie, bringing an end to the Xia dynasty and founding the Shang dynasty.

The historian Sima Qian traces the origin of the Xiongnu people to Chunwei (淳維), who was possibly a son of Jie. This theory has never been proven or disproven.

The Lienu Zhuan (Biographies of Virtuous Women) claims that a concubine of King Jie, Moxi (also spelled Mohsi), corrupted the king with her sexual prowess. She was beautiful, but completely lacking in virtue. Among other things, she liked to drink, enjoyed music, and also had a penchant for jugglers and sing-song girls. Apparently, she had King Jie order a lake of wine made. Once it was finished, she commanded 3000 men to drink the lake dry, only to laugh when they all drowned.

Xia Dynasty

Xia Jie | 桀 (夏) | Jie (Xia-konge) | 桀