Xia+Dynasty



There are ancient Chinese legends that tell about three sage-kings, Yao, Shun, and Yu. Yao was modest, sincere, respectful and brought harmony to all of China. Shun ordered four seasons, invariant measurements, weights and units of time. Yu dedicated his life to helping his homeland, by trying to control the Yellow River to prevent flooding. He succeeded, became a hero, and eventually founded the Xia dynasty. The Xia dynasty was one of the first Chinese Dynasties. The dynasty was from 2200 B.C.E to around 1700 B.C.E. As a result of the Xia dynasty existing so long ago, it was only recently proven that it was a historical dynasty and not an ancient legend.

It is thought that the city of Erlitou was the capital of the Xia dynasty. The city covered one million square meters with three layers of defense: outer moat, city wall, and an inner wall.

The Xia Dynasty ended under the reign of Jie, a very notorious tyrannical emperor in Chinese history. After he succeeded to the throne, he lived an extravagant life day and night without any thought for his country or its people. In addition, he killed the patriotic ministers who presented him with good advice. All of his actions enraged the people so much that at last they rose up under the leadership of Tang (the chief of the Shang tribe and later set up the Shang Dynasty and overthrew the Xia Dynasty.

The Xia dynasty was the first efforts to organize public life in China on a large scale. To keep control, the government probably exercised power by controlling leaders of individual villages. They also encouraged the founding of cities and metallurgy. In addition, the ruling class needed administrative centers and bronze weapons. The Xia dynasty was also one of the most rigorous states of its time. Its founder, Yu, was famous for organizing the flood control projects. Because of this, he understood the importance of large scale public work projects and how they helped establish recognized authorities and formal political institutions.The Xia dynasty established hereditary monarchical rule in China. The royal and allied noble families got the most honored positions in the government.
 * Political**

People in China believed that their ancestors' spirits passed into another realm of existence. They also believed that their ancestors had the power to protect and support the surviving family, if the descendants showed proper respect and provided to the spirits' needs.
 * Religion**

The Xia dynasty gradually became patriarchal society. Men became more respected in political and military aspects, as women were almost forgotten. Over time, not even queens and empresses were honored with temples dedicated to themselves, at most they were remembered in association with their husbands.
 * Social**

Even though no known examples of Xia-era writing survive, they almost certainly had a writing system that foreshadowed the Shang dynasty's "oracle bones."
 * Intellectual/ Artistic**

http://polaris.gseis.ucla.edu/yanglu/ECC_HISTORY_XIA%20DYNASTY.htm http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/history.htm http://www.china.org.cn/english/2004/Mar/91576.htm