Scribd
Upload
7 views1 page

Ancient China

The document discusses the early history of China, focusing on the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, highlighting key rulers and their contributions. It outlines the transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural societies, the advancements in metallurgy, and the establishment of hereditary rule. Additionally, it introduces the concept of the Mandate of Heaven, emphasizing the moral legitimacy required for rulers to maintain their authority.

Uploaded by

rhianna.1437
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
7 views1 page

Ancient China

The document discusses the early history of China, focusing on the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, highlighting key rulers and their contributions. It outlines the transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural societies, the advancements in metallurgy, and the establishment of hereditary rule. Additionally, it introduces the concept of the Mandate of Heaven, emphasizing the moral legitimacy required for rulers to maintain their authority.

Uploaded by

rhianna.1437
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY RULERS OF XIA DYNASTY

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Yu the Great He was the founder of Xia dynasty. He is
MARAWI CITY, LANAO DEL SUR, 9700 known for controlling the floods of the
Yellow River, which gave him the
CHAPTER 5: ANCIENT CHINA political legitimacy to rule, and
 The Shang Dynasty and Early Chinese Civilization establishing the first hereditary dynasty.
 The Zhou Dynasty and the Rise of the Warring States Qi He is the son of Yu the Great, who
 The Qin Dynasty and the Unification of China inherited the throne, marking the
beginning of hereditary rule in China.
Jie He is known for his corruption and
Early Chinese Civilization decadence, which led to the dynasty’s fall.
China’s early history begins in prehistory where early people
were hunter-gatherers, living in small nomadic groups across The Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE)
the vast plains, river valleys, and mountains. Over time, these
groups began to settle along the Yellow River (Huang He) in During this era, Chinese civilization advanced significantly,
the north and the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) in the south. particularly in terms of bronze metallurgy. The Shang was
known for their sophisticated cast bronze vessels, which were
7000 BCE Neolithic period began in this era which used in both religious ceremonies and political rituals. These
marked the transition from a nomadic to vessels bore inscriptions, marking the early use of Chinese
a more settled, agricultural lifestyle, with writing, which began as divinatory symbols carved onto
the domestication of animals, cultivation oracle bones (ox bones or turtle shells). Whereas the king and
of crops; millet in north and rice in south, his diviners would consult the oracle bones to seek guidance
and the first permanent settlements began on matters ranging from warfare to weather predictions and
to emerge. They were known for their even royal family decisions.
pottery and jade carvings, often in the
form of discs (bi) and tubes (cong). The Shang capital shifted multiple times, with one of the most
5000-3000 BCE Yangshao culture exist in this era where archaeological sites being Yin, near modern-day Anyang. At
primarily located along the middle Yin, large palaces, temples, and tombs have been uncovered,
reaches of the Yellow River. They were revealing the sophistication of Shang architecture and urban
known for their painted pottery and planning.
evidence of early communal living, with
clusters of houses arranged in a semi-
circular pattern, indicating the beginning
of organized societal structures.
3000-1900 BCE Longshan culture arose in the same
region of Yangshao culture. This culture
is significant because it is associated
with more sophisticated pottery, early
metallurgy, and signs of increasing social
stratification. Moreover, there was
evidence of early silk production
(sericulture) in this era.

Chinese society was primarily tribal with loosely organized


Shang’s Social Hierarchy
communities that were largely egalitarian in the early
Neolithic period. These communities were self-sustained, with
Shang rulers and elites practiced human sacrifice, often in
no centralized government. Leadership during this period was
connection with royal burials and rituals. Large royal tombs
most likely informal, based on communal consensus or
included not only sacrificial victims but also jade ornaments,
possibly by influential individuals, such as tribal chieftains or
bronze vessels, and chariots, highlighting the belief in an
elder.
afterlife where the dead required servants and treasures.
Chinese civilization has a long tradition of legendary rulers, RULERS OF SHANG DYNASTY
often referred to as the Sage Kings, who are believed to have Cheng Tang He was the founder of the Shang
laid the foundation for Chinese governance and culture. dynasty, who overthrew the last Xia
ruler, Jie, and established a new line of
LEGENDARY RULERS
kings.
Yellow Emperor Considered the founder of Chinese
Pan Geng One of the most famous Shang rulers,
(Huangdi) civilization and credited with various
credited with moving the capital to Yin,
inventions like the calendar, silk, early
where significant archaeological
agricultural techniques, and compass.
evidence of the Shang civilization has
Emperor Yao Known for his virtue and wisdom,
been found.
often regarded as an ideal ruler.
King Wu Ding Another notable Shang king, who
Emperor Shun Successor to Yao and known for his
expanded the dynasty’s territory and
just and moral governance.
strengthened its military and political
power
The Xia Dynasty (2100-1600 BCE) King Zhou The ruler of the Shang dynasty,
infamous for his cruelty and corruption,
The Xia dynasty was considered the first dynasty in traditional whose misrule led to the fall of the
Chinese history, though archaeological evidence for its Shang at the hands of the Zhou.
existence remains inconclusive. With the emergence of the Xia
dynasty, we see the formation of a hereditary monarchy. Mandate of Heaven
 The idea that the heavens granted the right to rule to
The Xia political system is believed to have been centralized just and moral leaders, and that the Shang had lost
around a king, who exercised control over a loose network of this mandate due to their corruption.
clans and tribal leaders. The king had authority over land,
agricultural production, and religious ceremonies.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy