Shang Dynasty | Definition, Dates, & 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 are the Shang known to us?

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 worth knowing about the Shang Dynasty

The Yin Dynasty is another name for it.

Wu Ding, one of the most well-known Shang kings, ruled for 58 years.

The city of Yin Xu served as the Shang’s final capital. At Yin Xu, archaeologists found a large number of oracle bones.

The shoulder blades of oxen or turtle shells have made up the majority of oracle bones that have been found.

Such inquiries as “Will we win the war?” “Should we go hunting tomorrow?” and “Will the baby be a son?” were written on oracle bones.

The Shang revered a supreme entity known as Shangdi in addition to their deceased ancestors.