Shang+Dynasty

=**The Shang Dynasty**=

**History**
The Shang Dynasty formally lasted from 1766 B.C.E. to 1122 B.C.E. Previous to the Shang Dynasty, was the Xia Dynasty. In 1766 B.C.E., Shang leader (and soon to become King) Tang overthrew the weak, tyrannical Xia ruler. Although the Xia's forces were much larger than the Shang's, the Shang had the advantage of possessing horse-drawn chariots and bronze weapons. A strong, compassionate leader, Tang was able to establish a large dynasty that, during the rule of the first nine emperors, continued to grow and develop. At the capital city at Ao, the city wall was was 33ft. tall and approximately 66ft thick, a feat that would have required the labor of about 10,000 workers for approximately 20 years.

During the rule of the next ten emperors, chaos prevailed and the capital city was moved five times. It seemed as if the reign of the Shang dynasty was coming to a close. However, the twentieth emperor Pangeng managed to rescue the dynasty by moving the capital to Yin. There, the capital stayed for the last two to three centuries of Shang rule. Archaeologists have found complex architecture, organized written documents, and elaborate tombs that lead them to believe that the era in Yin was the peak of the dynasty.

The Shang dynasty fell around the year 1122 B.C.E. Leading up to the rule of Emperor Zhou, the dynasty suffered many struggles for the crown between the royal family and the high nobles. So much, that when Zhou became emperor, the society was already in decline. Zhou simply made it worse by not responding to any of the problems and ostracizing the lower classes by leading an excessively extravagant lifestyle. The Zhou State in the West seized the opportunity and marched against the Shang Dynasty. Zhou only responded to the threat at the last second, at which point it was too late. He burned himself to death, thus ending the reign of the Shang Dynasty.

**Social Order**
//**Ruling Elites:**// This class was made up of the royal family and noble families. This small minority of people lived in palatial compounds and lived off the agricultural surplus and taxes from the lower classes. These families maintained their wealth and power through their conspicuous bronze consumption; they had the unique ability to control the military by providing bronze weapons and by paying the soldiers, so therefore they remained in a station of political power, as well.

//**Aristocrats:**// This class was made up of the military allies and landowners. Most in this class had either administrative roles or were involved in the military.

//**Specialized Labor:**// These artisans specialized in metallurgy, textiles, and fine arts. Those who worked for the ruling elite possessed moderate to considerate wealth, especially the bronze makers.

//**Merchants and Trade:**// Little information is known about this class. They established long-distance trade routes through China and to other civilizations such as the Harappa; Shang pottery has been found at sites of Harappan civilization. Trade increased relations between those living in the Yellow River Valley and the Yangzi Valley. The invention of sails and improved navigation techniques allowed trade to be extended north to Korea.

//**Peasants:**// A large class of peasants lived in the countryside where they mostly worked as tenants for wealthier lords. In exchange for their services, the lords gave them a small amount of land to cultivate as well as protection and a portion of their harvest. Peasants lived in neolithic-styled homes dug into the ground and covered with thatching and had access only to the most basic tools and supplies.

//**Slaves:**// During the Shang Dynasty, there was a sizable slave class. Most of these slaves were warriors captured during battle. They performed the hard labor necessary for agriculture and the building of large structures, such as walls. They were also used in ritual sacrifices practiced during funerary and other religious services.

**Economics**
While bronze was a major symbol of wealth during the Shang Dynasty, it was not the main source of economic prosperity. Agriculture was the main source of income, primarily millet, although including wheat and rice. There was also a very prominent handicraft industry. This included metallurgy (bronze), textiles (silk), and pottery.

**Veneration of Ancestors**
Unlike many early civilizations, the Chinese did not have an organized religion. Everything needing to be explained was explained through myths and tales unrelated to a god. The closest thing to a god was known as the //mandate of heaven//. This impersonal power bestowed and removed power upon and from the supreme rulers.

Lacking a unified religion, the veneration of ancestors began in neolithic times. It was believed that the spirits of the ancestors passed into another realm from which they could protect and support their family. The condition for this was that the living give proper respect to the graves of the dead. For the wealthy, this meant elaborate tombs filled with pottery, jewelry, textiles, tools, weapons and even the occasional human sacrifice. These traditions were typically lead by an elder male in the family.

This practice lead to an increased family bond which affected both the private and public lives of individuals. A familiar example of these strong family ethics can be seen in the Disney movie //Mulan//. It also placed the elderly males in a position of authority within the household which also affected private and public lives, forcing women into progressively less and less important roles.

**Early Chinese Writing and Cultural Development**
Written language was first employed by the scribes in the royal court. They wrote of events on cloth and bamboo, most of which has not survived. However, beginning in the 1800s, peasants began finding what are known as Oracle Bones, bones inscribed with words of prophesy. Recognizing their value, many of these were sold to druggists who ground them into powders and sold them for high prices. It was not until 1890 that the true archaeological value of these artifacts was discovered.

Inscribed in these bones, in ancient Chinese, are prophesies that give a glimpse into everyday life. //How will the harvest be? Will the empress bear a son or a daughter? Should this enemy be attacked?// Furthermore, these bones are the first recorded Chinese writings. Comparing some of those symbols with the characters used in contemporary Chinese, it is clear that these are the roots of Chinese writing as we know it today.

**Shang and the World**
The Shang Dynasty was surrounded by nomadic enemies living in the steppes. These tribes domesticated animals and participated in trade with Indo-Europeans. Through these merchants, nomadic societies obtained metals and textiles by exchanging horses. Nomadic raids constantly posed a threat to the ever-expanding dynasty and ultimately assisted in the fall of the Zhou.

As the dynasty spread West, it also spread South to the area of the Yangzi Valley. Here, Shang authorities helped supervise the construction of complex irrigation systems to cultivate rice. Indigenous peoples either moved away or became part of this agricultural dynasty.

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 * Want to learn more? These links provide a more detailed description of the history and life during the Shang Dynasty.**

Link to the map of the Shang Dynasty: []