Ancient China and East Asia

Ancient China and East Asia



Geography and Localized Abundance

Langshao culture [c. 3000 – 2000] Yangshao culture [c. 5000 – 3000] and


Xia Dynasty c. 2100 - 1600

Shang Dynasty c. 1600 - 1046

Zhou Dynasty c. 1046 - 256

Spring and Autumn Period c. 722- 476 bce

Warring States Period 476 – 221 bce

Qin Dynasty 221 – 206 bce

Han Dynasty 202 bce – 220 ce

Jiahu culture c. 7000 - 5800

Yangshao culture c. 5000 - 3000

Langshao culture c. 3000 - 2000

Battle of Mingtiao c. 1600

Ancient China and East Asia: From Xia to Han

Early Dynasties












“Oracle Bone,” Shang Dynasty [ca. 1600 – 1046 bce],H. 1 inch, W. 1 ¾ inches.


Earliest writing technique: “Oracle Bones”












Covered Vessel, Shang Dynasty [ca. 1600 – 1046 bce], bronze, H. 6 inches, W. 4 inches.














Some traits of late Shang and early Zhou culture



Social Hierarchy•Royal family and nobles•Aristocratic families, linked with military power•Free artisans and craftsmen•Peasants•Slaves

Religion•No organized religion or priesthood•No dominant idea of a personal, supreme deity•Ancestors venerated, arguably to the point of worship•Eventually developed an impersonal heavenly power thatwas responsible for the political “mandate of heaven”


Some traits of late Shang and early Zhou culture



Wealth and Power

•Depended on production of bronze and control of copper and tin•Also depended heavily on military strength and weapons•Also depended, sometimes, on the support of the citizenry

Dagger Ax, Western Zhou, bronze, H. 9 ¼ inches,. Late Eastern Zhou, Bronze. H. 3 ½ inches

Zhou

Ancient China and East Asia: From Xia to HanEarly Dynasties













Zhou Dynasty begins 1046 bce

Zhou

Zhou Dynasty ends 256 bce

“Spring and Autumn Period” begins - Zhou capital moved east

722 bce

“Warring States Period “ begins 476 bce




722 bce

“Warring States Period “ begins

476 bce

551 – 479 bce

Confucius

Note the (estimated) period when Confucius lived—what relationship can you imagine between Confucius’ search for new ideas about behavior, loyalty, and governance, and the conflict of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period?

230 – 221 bce Wars of Unification waged by state of Qin-Qin Dynasty begins, 221 bce




722 bce


476 bce


Qin and the “Unification” of China

Emperor Qin’s Burial Army, 210 – 209 bce

Ancient China and East Asia: From Xia to Han

Qin Dynasty




722 bce


476 bce

230 – 221 bce Wars of Unification waged by state of Qin. Qin Dynasty begins

206 bce Qin Dynasty ends, Han Dynasty begins


Han

Mandate of Heaven – Tian Ming

-- based on an idea of “just rule”

-- emphasizes a ruler’s performance; de- emphasizes social and familial background

-- implies a right of rebellion-- first used by kings of the

Zhou Dynasty to overthrow the Shang -- When mandate is lost,

history the only force capable of deciding who regains it

Types of Rule: Divine Monarchy

Divine Right

-- ruler claims relationship with deities or claims divine status himself/herself

-- attempts to rebel considered sacrilegious-- ruler not subject to the will of anyone on earth-- requires submission of citizens

ChinaEgypt

Mesopotamian empires

Documents

Ancient China and East Asia