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Shang Dynasty updated 2009.ppt
The Shang Dynasty ruled China from around 1750-1050 BCE. Some key developments during this period included the emergence of bronze technology, the beginning of China's written language system through oracle bones, and the establishment of a centralized government, urban communities, and social classes. Rituals focused on venerating ancestors and the supreme god Shangdi played an important role in Shang culture and politics. The Shang was an advanced agricultural society with sophisticated arts, calendar systems, and trade in cowrie shells.
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Shang Dynasty updated 2009.ppt
- 1. Shang Dynasty 1750- 1050BCE Chinese civilization is one of oldest, continuous on earth 5,000 years of history
- 2. Outside China during Shangperiod Hammurabi’s code Mycenaean Civ. In Greece Vedic period in India Stonehenge Moses led Israelites out of Egypt Mayans processed rubber King Tut Homer’s Troy fell Ramses III of Egypt
- 3. Neolithic settlements in Yangtze& Yellow river valleys Yangshao-painted pottery Longshan-black pottery
- 4. Shang Dynasty c.1750- 1050BCE Impressive bronze technology Oracle bones— beginning of writing system
- 5. Important ideas from Shang Notionof supreme heavenly power— Shangdi (god above) Belief in power of spirits of ancestors to affect events on earth Importance of rituals venerating ancestors & role of king in performing rituals
- 6. Shang was agricultural society Thereforerituals To facilitate ancestor reverence Manifested in bronzes & oracle bones
- 7. Emergence of state levelsociety Complex society Often called “civilization” Or “state-level” society In China shifts toward state-level society began the dynastic phase of Chinese history
- 8. Shang culture characterized by: Centralizedgovernment Urban communities Stratified social classes Palatial architecture Distinctive writing system Elaborate religious rituals Sophisticated art forms
- 9. Shang culture characterized by Bronzemetallurgy Horse drawn chariot Ability to mobilize human labor for huge projects/corvee labor Relatively accurate calendar Money in form of cowrie shells Pantheon of gods Complex lineage structure
- 10. Shang musical instruments Musicused as “civilizing” influence in state rituals Drums Bells Chiming stones ocarinas
- 11. “Auspicious Bronzes of theState” 9 ding representing 9 provinces King Yu of the Xia cast after bringing floods under control Dings passed to Shang & later to Zhou Possession was symbol of power & prestige http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/index.ht m
- 12. Shang economic features Tamed waterbuffalo Cultivated rice in south Grain grown in north
- 13. Leaders addicted to: Warfare Hunting Wine Human& animal sacrifice
- 14. Leaders engaged in militaryexpeditions Plunder & tribute part of royal economy New weapons part of passion for hunting Hunting good practice for warfare
- 15. Ancestor reverence Ultimate sourceof political power was royal ancestors Deceased ministers had some influence Dead went to Heaven Intercede on behalf of descendants So ritual life of Shang court was sequence of sacrifices to ancestors
- 16. Bronze metallurgy Bronzevessels necessary for ritual sacrifice Vessels for wine Vessels for food Vessels for water Musical instruments www.chinavoc.com/arts/handicraft/bro nze.htm
- 17. Divination/Oracle Bones Important actions requireddivination Tortoise shell or animal shoulder blade Questions about warfare, weather, life decisions http://www.chinavista.com/experience/or acle/oracle.html