The Shang Dynasty: Most Inventive Dynasties Of China
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The Shang dynasty, lasting from about 1750 - 1027 BCE, was one of China’s longest lasting and most inventive dynasties. The Shang dynasty began when Li (lord of the Shang) defeated Ji (ruler of the Xia), beginning a line of 30 kings that would rule the Shang for 600 years.. Located in the Yellow River Valley, the Shang developed incredible inventions like spoked-wheel chariots, made ostentatious silk robes for their nobles, but in contrast were vicious warriors in battle. This earned the Shang a reputation for being brilliant and luxurious, but also savage.
Perhaps the most notable trait of the Shang was their brilliance. One of the ways that they were brilliant was their astronomy. The Royal Astronomers of the Shang recorded the positions …show more content…
Perhaps the best symbol of luxury in the Shang dynasty was silk robes. Made from the cocoons of silkworms, thousands of strands had to be spun together to create cloth, which was used to create robes for the king and other very wealthy people (most people wore hemp-fiber clothing). A further example of luxury in the Shang society was their elaborate jade and bronze items. Although many of these items were used only in ceremonies, the wealthiest nobles also had amounts of bronze and jade items, which were often buried with them in enormous tombs. These also an example of Shang luxury, as they were built down into the ground, with a central chamber where the person would rest, along with their most valuable possessions, especially the bronze and jade items that were so difficult to craft. Above that, there would be a larger chamber with other items that the person might need in the afterlife. In wealthier …show more content…
The Shang were vicious warriors in battle fighting on foot with halberds, which were a cross between an axe and a spear. They invaded other tribes and kingdoms, killing many and taking prisoners of war. These poor people would be treated terrible upon their capture, often having their hands and feet tied together in uncomfortable positions. They also usually met an equally unpleasant end. In their enormous and luxurious tombs for kings and nobles, were also often be people and horses buried with them. Some would be slaves and prisoners of war, who were unwillingly killed to rest with the king or noble. These poor people were usually decapitated, and thrown into the tomb, along with some faithful wives or servants who willingly gave their lives (a savage tradition) to be laid to rest on top of the one that they
The Shang dynasty, lasting from about 1750 - 1027 BCE, was one of China’s longest lasting and most inventive dynasties. The Shang dynasty began when Li (lord of the Shang) defeated Ji (ruler of the Xia), beginning a line of 30 kings that would rule the Shang for 600 years.. Located in the Yellow River Valley, the Shang developed incredible inventions like spoked-wheel chariots, made ostentatious silk robes for their nobles, but in contrast were vicious warriors in battle. This earned the Shang a reputation for being brilliant and luxurious, but also savage.
Perhaps the most notable trait of the Shang was their brilliance. One of the ways that they were brilliant was their astronomy. The Royal Astronomers of the Shang recorded the positions …show more content…
Perhaps the best symbol of luxury in the Shang dynasty was silk robes. Made from the cocoons of silkworms, thousands of strands had to be spun together to create cloth, which was used to create robes for the king and other very wealthy people (most people wore hemp-fiber clothing). A further example of luxury in the Shang society was their elaborate jade and bronze items. Although many of these items were used only in ceremonies, the wealthiest nobles also had amounts of bronze and jade items, which were often buried with them in enormous tombs. These also an example of Shang luxury, as they were built down into the ground, with a central chamber where the person would rest, along with their most valuable possessions, especially the bronze and jade items that were so difficult to craft. Above that, there would be a larger chamber with other items that the person might need in the afterlife. In wealthier …show more content…
The Shang were vicious warriors in battle fighting on foot with halberds, which were a cross between an axe and a spear. They invaded other tribes and kingdoms, killing many and taking prisoners of war. These poor people would be treated terrible upon their capture, often having their hands and feet tied together in uncomfortable positions. They also usually met an equally unpleasant end. In their enormous and luxurious tombs for kings and nobles, were also often be people and horses buried with them. Some would be slaves and prisoners of war, who were unwillingly killed to rest with the king or noble. These poor people were usually decapitated, and thrown into the tomb, along with some faithful wives or servants who willingly gave their lives (a savage tradition) to be laid to rest on top of the one that they