Ancient Chinese Dynasties

Zhou DynastyThe Zhou dynasty was the dynasty that took the Shang dynasty by suprise and overtook them. The Zhou ruled with a king and a lord for each state. The lords wanted more power so they were constantly in war with other states and no one could stop them, not even the king. This time was called the waring states. This lead the Zhou dynasty to its end.

Shang DynastyThe Shang dynasty was the first dynasty of China. They ruled from around 1700 to 1122 B.C.E. The king lead with Nobles at his side to help rule all of his land. Shang armies fought with bronze and iron weapons. The Shang traded for cowrie shells, they used these shells as a form of money. Archeologists have found oracle bones that have a form of writing on them. It is beleived that priests wrote on the bones and them put a hot metal rod on the back making it crack, they would "read" these signs to answer their question that was written on the bone. Like Chinese writing now they used characters that stand for words and not sounds. There art was often of mythical creatures. They also made amazing jade pieces. The Shang made tools out of wood, stone, iron, and bronze.

Ancient Chinese Dynasties

ReligionShang religion was centered on ancestor worship. The teasures that were buried in the tombs were things that they beleived the person needed after death. Worshippers gave offerings and sometimes they even sometimes do human sacrifices. Kings used oracle bones to seek help from their ancestors. Around tombs archeologists have found animals, soldiers, and servants buried as well. Even animals were buried in the tombs, like horses. All of these things that were buried were believed to be needed in the afterlife.

Religion

Social Classes

Shang society was divided into six social classes, the king and his relatives, nobles, artisans, traders, farmers, and slaves. After the royal family were the nobles. They helped the king with the military. In exchange the king gave the nobles land and luxury. Most of Shang society were artisans, traders, and farmers. They were in the middle of the social classes and supplied the dynasty with resources. Lastly were the slaves, many were prisoners of war. They spent their lifetime building tombs and palaces. When their masters died they were sometimes sacraficed for the religion's belief that slaves should stay with their master even after death.