Cities
The Shang Dynasty lasted from about 1600 BCE to 1050 BC. It was made up of 10 cities and they were all built around an elevated central temple with walls surrounding to keep away enemies. For soldiers to keep watch, there were guard towers placed on these walls as well. There were 8 cities along the Yellow River and the remaining 2 along the Yangtze.
There are myths on the Xia Dynasty existing before before Shang, but there is no actual solid proof. Therefore, this would make the Shang Dynasty the first oriental civilization. The Shang Dynasty was the first in China of an advanced group of cities that were all under the same ruler, military, religion, and writing.
There are myths on the Xia Dynasty existing before before Shang, but there is no actual solid proof. Therefore, this would make the Shang Dynasty the first oriental civilization. The Shang Dynasty was the first in China of an advanced group of cities that were all under the same ruler, military, religion, and writing.
Organized Government
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The king of Shang Dynasty ruled by force. Whoever went against the king's laws would be executed by soldiers. The clan with the biggest army would rule the civilization until a better one came along. For the Shang Dynasty, this lasted 550 years. The ruler would overtake about 200 to 300 clans in their territory. When the king died, his closest relation would take the throne.
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According to legend, Cheng Tang of Shang was the first ruling king of the Shang dynasty.
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Complex religions
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The supreme god of the Shang was "Shang Di", who ruled over less superior gods. They also believed that even though their ancestors went to Heaven after dying, that worshipping their ancestors after death would decide their affairs. They believed if they couldn't worship properly, their family and kingdom would experience many disasters. The kings used oracle bones to communicate with their ancestors. The Shang thought seriously about burial. The vast and elaborate tombs show this. |
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Job specializationThe Shang Dynasty included the improved farming methods of the Neolithic age. The majority of the commoners were farmers, and they would have to give much of what they grew for taxes. However, there were also sculptors, metal workers, soldiers, potters, and other specialized jobs.
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Social classesThe social pyramid of the Shang goes as follows (highest to lowest)- King, military nobility, priests, merchants, and farmers. Burials reflected the social class of the person, as the elite were buried in elaborate tombs with wealthy objects and the lesser classes were buried in pits. People of the lowest classes could even be thrown in wells.
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art & ARCHITECTURE
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Bronze vessels, carved marble and jade, and paintings with inks on silk are all examples of the advanced art made by Shang craftsmen. jade was valued because of how hard it was, and to it would probably even require diamonds to carve it. The Shang Dynasty existed during the Bronze Age of China. Bronze stood for wealth, power, and luxury. The craftsmen would use molds to make the bronze vessels. Most of the artwork however was given as taxes to the king or used religiously.
From oracle bones, it is understood that the Shang had public temples, market-places, and roads for everyone. There would be a grid pattern around a central temple or place of the king. The temples would have been made with wooden supports, lattice-work with mud between sections and with a thatched roof on top. |
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