Shang Dynasty
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take part in a huge fight to the death; have you ever wanted to learn about gripping ancient culture? If so, read on. The Shang Dynasty was very powerful, and was one of the strongest dynasties. Capital cities were Cheng-Chou and Anyang. These capital cities were located in Ancient China. Shang military and writing systems were ways that the Shang was able to maintain control. The Shang Military is one of the most interesting and exciting parts of the Shang dynasty. Why is the Shang Dynasty important to people today? The Shang dynasty is important to people today because it gives China a reputation. It gives them a reputation as to military, culture, technology, and religion. All these things have made China into what it is today. The topics I will be talking about are Shang emperors, Shang military, Shang philosophies, Oracle bone inscription, tombs, Bronze Age vessels, and the Shang Dynasty. If you would like to learn more about these topics, then keep reading.
Shang Emperors
Shang Emperors were very important because they were able to spread influence, and keep the Shang in control. The Shang Emperors often commanded large armies. This would lead to more power toward the Emperors. Also, the Emperors used violence to spread influence. One good example of spreading influence with violence is the notorious King Shang. King Shang wanted to unite all of China under one ruler, which was himself. Shang Emperors were important because they controlled the Shang Dynasty and kept the dynasty in control. Also, Shang emperors used and lived by certain philosophies. Let’s learn more about these philosophies.
Shang Philosophies
Shang Philosophies were very important because without them the Shang Dynasty would have been in anarchy. Many people used and lived by the “legalistic philosophy”. The legalistic philosophy was a system where everything would be calm and orderly. If you were to follow this philosophy back then, you could not step out of line. Around 256 BCE the first emperor came around, and lived by the legalistic philosophy. The emperor had a rewards and punishments system. He mostly gave out punishments. On the other hand, these punishments included harsh beatings, and even death. Shang Philosophy was very important because if they didn’t use them, the Shang would not have been able to rule.
Shang emperors commanded and controlled lots of things. One of the Shang’s strengths was its military. Let’s learn more about the Shang military.
Shang emperors commanded and controlled lots of things. One of the Shang’s strengths was its military. Let’s learn more about the Shang military.
Shang Military
Shang military was very important because it was one of the reasons why the Shang was so powerful. The Shang used many different kinds of weapons. They occasionally used war elephants. These elephants would trample you and crush you. On the other hand, Shang chariots were very complex. Chariots were pulled by 2 horses, five foot high wheels, and were very complex. Shang armor was a little basic. Soldiers wore helmets, neck protectors, and breastplates. Shang military was very important because it was one of the reasons the Shang Dynasty stayed in control for so long. The Shang’s military was not the Shang’s only strength, but the Shang’s writing system was a huge strength. Let’s learn more about this.
Oracle Bone Inscription
Oracle bone inscription was very important because it showed that the Shang Dynasty was very advanced and clever in writing systems and technology. Oracle bone inscription showed that the Shang was one of the first dynasties to develop a writing system. These inscriptions provided indication of religious practices. At one point, Chinese pharmacists were selling these “dragon bones” as medicine. Not long after, scientists traced these bones back to Anyang, which was one of the Shang’s capital cities. Oracle bone inscription was very important because it showed that the Shang dynasty was very advanced. Oracle bone inscription was one thing that the Shang Dynasty were very complex in, but they were very complex when it came to building tombs as well.
Shang Tombs
Tombs in the Shang dynasty were very important because they showed high craftsmen ship. Building some of the tombs required 1000 workers. This shows how complex the Shang dynasty could be with technology. The tombs were filled with essentials for the afterlife. They would put the bronze age vessels that the Shang became known for in the tomb. On the other hand, they would also put sacrifices into the tomb. Shang tombs were very important because it showed how the Shang dynasty had a high sense of craftsmen ship. Another thing that they would put into the tombs were bronze age vessels. Let’s learn more about these artifacts.
Bronze Age Vessels
Bronze age vessels were very important to the Shang dynasty because it showed high technology. Some of the vessels that were put into the tombs weighed more than 200 lbs. Early vessels seemed to mimic the sheet metal versions that proceed the cast. On the other hand, bronze age vessels were decorated also. They were decorated with monster masks, water buffalo, birds, and tigers carved into the vessel. Bronze age vessels were important to the Shang dynasty because it showed high craftsmen ship and technology.
The Shang dynasty is important to people today because it gives China a reputation. It gives them a reputation as to military, culture, technology, and religion. In this weebly you have learned about Shang emperors, philosophies, military, oracle bone inscription, tombs, and bronze age vessels. You have not learned just about these things. But you have learned why the Shang dynasty is important to people today. All of these things shape China into what it is today.
Citations
Gabriel, Richard A. "Shang Army." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.
"Shang China: Civilization in the Yellow River Valley (Overview)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.
"Shang dynasty." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.
"Shang Dynasty." Encyclopedia of Asian History. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1988. Gale World History In Context. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.
Ancient China. Films Media Group, 1996. Classroom Video On Demand. Web. 05 February 2013. < http://streaming.factsonfile.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=20352&xtid=8695 >.
Ancient China. Films Media Group, 1996. Classroom Video On Demand. Web. 05 February 2013. < http://streaming.factsonfile.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=20352&xtid=8695 >.
http://www.history-of-china.com/shang-dynasty/the-bronze-of-shang.html
Bronze in shang
http://www.essential-architecture.com/STYLE/STY-119.htm
“Anyang”
http://www.mitchellteachers.org/WorldHistory/AncientChinaCurriculum/ExcavatingaShangTombAssignment.htm
Excavating a Shang Tomb
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kjolly/151/04shangorac.htm
Shang Oracle Bones
http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/Chinese_dynasties/Shang_dynasty_map.htm
Map of the geographical extension of the Shang Dynasty
http://www.mitchellteachers.org/WorldHistory/AncientChinaCurriculum/ExcavatingaShangTombAssignment.htm
Shang Tang
http://www.thewartourist.com/eastasia.html
3 man chariot
http://www.ihp.sinica.edu.tw/~museum/en/exhibition_detail.php?dc_id=84&class_exhibion=145
Inscribed Bovid Bone I–pien 8672
http://www.history-of-china.com/shang-dynasty/the-bronze-of-shang.html
Bronze age vessel
http://technologyallsaints.wikispaces.com/Shang+Dynasty
Shang dynasty map
"Shang China: Civilization in the Yellow River Valley (Overview)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.
"Shang dynasty." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.
"Shang Dynasty." Encyclopedia of Asian History. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1988. Gale World History In Context. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.
Ancient China. Films Media Group, 1996. Classroom Video On Demand. Web. 05 February 2013. < http://streaming.factsonfile.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=20352&xtid=8695 >.
Ancient China. Films Media Group, 1996. Classroom Video On Demand. Web. 05 February 2013. < http://streaming.factsonfile.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=20352&xtid=8695 >.
http://www.history-of-china.com/shang-dynasty/the-bronze-of-shang.html
Bronze in shang
http://www.essential-architecture.com/STYLE/STY-119.htm
“Anyang”
http://www.mitchellteachers.org/WorldHistory/AncientChinaCurriculum/ExcavatingaShangTombAssignment.htm
Excavating a Shang Tomb
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kjolly/151/04shangorac.htm
Shang Oracle Bones
http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/Chinese_dynasties/Shang_dynasty_map.htm
Map of the geographical extension of the Shang Dynasty
http://www.mitchellteachers.org/WorldHistory/AncientChinaCurriculum/ExcavatingaShangTombAssignment.htm
Shang Tang
http://www.thewartourist.com/eastasia.html
3 man chariot
http://www.ihp.sinica.edu.tw/~museum/en/exhibition_detail.php?dc_id=84&class_exhibion=145
Inscribed Bovid Bone I–pien 8672
http://www.history-of-china.com/shang-dynasty/the-bronze-of-shang.html
Bronze age vessel
http://technologyallsaints.wikispaces.com/Shang+Dynasty
Shang dynasty map