Shang Dynasty

Examples of Shang Dynasty in the following topics:

• Introduction to the Shang Dynasty

  • The Shang Dynasty existed in the Yellow River Valley during the second millennium BCE.
  • The Shang Dynasty (also called the Yin Dynasty) succeeded the Xia Dynasty, and was followed by the Zhou Dynasty.
  • The Shang Dynasty is, therefore, generally considered China's first historical dynasty.
  • Under the Shang Dynasty, a unified sense of Chinese culture emerged.
  • The Shang Dynasty is the oldest Chinese dynasty supported by archaeological finds.

• Advancements Under the Shang

  • During the Shang Dynasty, bronze casting became more sophisticated.
  • Bronze objects were also buried in the tombs of Shang elite.
  • Under the Shang, the Chinese domesticated the horse.
  • A chariot burial site at Anyang (modern-day Henan) dates to the rule of King Wu Ding of the Shang Dynasty (c. 1200 BCE).
  • Describe some of the technical advancements made under the Shang Dynasty

• Ceramics and Bronze in the Shang Dynasty

  • The artwork of the Shang dynasty, notably bronze pieces, has been discovered through archaeological excavations.
  • The Shang Dynasty, also known as the Yin Dynasty, according to traditional historiography, ruled in the Yellow River valley in the second millennium BCE.
  • The artwork of the Shang Dynasty has been discovered through numerous archaeological digs.
  • As far back as c. 1500 BCE, the early Shang Dynasty engaged in large-scale production of bronzeware vessels and weapons.
  • Describe the advancements of bronze casting and pottery during the Shang dynasty.

• Society Under the Shang Dynasty

  • The Shang Dynasty was located in the Yellow River valley in China during the second millennium BCE.
  • The Shang Dynasty (also called the Yin Dynasty) succeeded the Xia Dynasty, and was followed by the Zhou Dynasty.
  • The Shang military were next in social status, and who were respected and honored for their skill.
  • Archaeological evidence has supported the use of horses and other cavalry during the late Shang period, c. 1250 BCE.
  • Artisans and craftsmen comprised the middle class of Shang society.

• The Mandate of Heaven

  • The Zhou Dynasty overthrew the Shang Dynasty, and used the Mandate of Heaven as justification.
  • In 1046 BCE, the Zhou, a subject people living in the western part of the kingdom, overthrew the Shang Dynasty at the Battle of Muye.
  • This was a battle between Shang and Zhou clans, over the Shang's expansion.
  • They largely had the support of the Chinese people: Di Xin (the final king of the Shang Dynasty) had become cruel, spent state money on drinking and gambling, and ignored the state.
  • In other words, the Zhou believed that the Shang kings had become immoral with their excessive drinking, luxuriant living, and cruelty, and so had lost their mandate.

• Shang Religion

  • The bones reveal a great deal about what was important to Shang society.
  • It appears that there was belief in the afterlife during the Shang Dynasty.
  • Archaeologists have found Shang tombs surrounded by the skulls and bodies of human sacrifices.
  • This oracle bone from the Shang Dynasty dates to the reign of King Wu Ding.
  • This tomb is located in the ruins of the ancient Shang Dynasty capital, Yin.

• The Xia Dynasty

  • After the final ruler became corrupt, he was overthrown by Cheng Tang, who founded the Shang Dynasty.
  • According to this history, the last of the great Five Emperors, Emperor Shun, left his throne to Yu the Great, who founded China's First Dynasty, the Xia Dynasty.
  • Yu supposedly began the practice of inherited rule (passing power from father to son), a model that was perpetuated in the later Shang and Zhou dynasties.
  • This led to his overthrow in c. 1760 BCE by Cheng Tang, who founded a new dynasty, the Shang Dynasty, in the Huang River Valley.
  • (For a long time it was believed that the later Shang Dynasty may also have been purely mythological, until archaeology proved that it was real.)

• Art Under the Zhou Dynasty

  • Chinese script cast onto bronzeware such as bells and cauldrons carried over from the Shang dynasty into the Zhou, with continuing changes in style over time and by region.
  • Ceramic and Jade art continued from the Shang dynasty and was improved and refined especially during the Warring States Period.
  • The Zhou continued and developed lacquer work done in the Shang dynasty.
  • This example of lacquerware dates to the Han dynasty in the 2nd century BCE.
  • Identify some of the art forms prevelant under the Zhou Dynasty.

• Bronze under the Zhou Dynasty

  • The art of the Zhou Dynasty was characterized by the introduction of iron and the refinement of elaborate bronzework.
  • The Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE) was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty.
  • Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BCE, a period known as the Western Zhou.
  • They were quick to adopt the material culture of the Shang, perhaps as a way of establishing their legitimacy.
  • Zhou art also borrowed heavily from the Shang, and the Zhou practice of casting inscriptions in bronze vessels, as well as the design of the vessels themselves, suggests a direct Shang influence.

• The Qin Dynasty

  • The Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), though short-lived, is known for its military strength and its unification of China.
  • The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting only 15 years from 221 to 206 BCE.
  • The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BCE, during the Warring States Period.
  • Despite its military strength, however, the Dynasty did not last long.
  • Picture of Qin Dynasty Arcuballista Bolts shown with Regular Handheld Crossbow Bolts, 5th- 3rd century B.C.