Shang Dynasty History and Facts

Shang Dynasty History and Facts

Learn about the Shang Dynasty of Ancient China including its history, culture, early writing, government, oracle bones, rise and fall, and facts.

Shang Dynasty History and Facts

The earliest Chinese dynasty with written records was the Shang. From roughly 1600 BC to 1046 BC, the Shang dynasty ruled. According to some historians, the Shang was the earliest Chinese dynasty. Some historians place it as the second dynasty, following the fabled Xia Dynasty.

History

Nearly 1600 BC saw the rise to prominence of the Shang people. According to legend, Cheng Tang led the Shang in unification. The Shang Dynasty was established after Cheng Tang overthrew the tyrannical King Jie of the Xia.

For over 500 years, the Shang ruled a region near the Yellow River Valley. At that period, they had a variety of kings and capital cities. King Di Xin’s administration resulted in the corruption of the government. Wu of Zhou deposed him, and the Zhou Dynasty was established.

How do we know about the Shang?

Oracle bones provide a lot of the information we have about the Shang. The Shang used these bones to make predictions about the future. On one side of the bone, religious men would write a question, which they would then burn until the bone split. The answers would then be deciphered from the fissures and written on the opposite side of the bone. These questions and answers help historians understand a large portion of Shang history. Archaeologists have discovered thousands of oracle bones.

Chinese historians from the ancient era, such Sima Quian of the Han Dynasty, provided additional information about the Shang. Bronze Shang religious objects also have a few brief inscriptions on them.

Writing

The Shang were the first Chinese Dynasty with a written history and the invention of writing. The script used today in China is quite similar to this ancient writing. The Shang had a pretty well-organized society and government thanks to writing.

Government

The Shang had a fairly sophisticated system of government. The king was the top leader among numerous tiers. The majority of the top government officials were linked to the king in some way. Warlords frequently controlled large swaths of land, but they were loyal to the king and supplied troops when necessary. Taxes from the populace and tributes from regional allies were collected by the government.

Bronze

Additionally, the Shang invented bronze technology. Bronze was utilized for holy objects and weaponry but not for everyday tools. The Shang had an advantage over their foes in battle thanks to bronze weaponry like spears. Additionally, the Shang had an advantage in battle thanks to their employment of horse-drawn chariots.

Facts about the Shang Dynasty

• It is sometimes referred to as the Yin Dynasty.
• One of the most famous kings of the Shang was Wu Ding who ruled for 58 years.
• The last capital of the Shang was the city of Yin Xu. Archeologists have discovered many oracle bones at Yin Xu.
• Most of the oracle bones discovered have been the shoulder blades of oxen or turtle shells.
• Questions on oracle bones included things like “Will we win the war?”, “Should we go hunting tomorrow?”, and “Will the baby be a son?”
• The Shang worshiped their dead ancestors as well as a supreme being called Shangdi.

Read also: Xia Dynasty History and Facts