The last of the Shang kings was dominated by women, giving up to sensual self-indulgence with his 'pools of wine and forest of meat,' oppressing people with his taxes, craving open pregnant women to examine the fetus, and killing or imprisoning all who remonstrated against him.
King wu launched an attack on the Shang empire in 1120 BCE. This attack was not suceesful. But the second attack ( which is 2 years later) was successful, and the armies of King Wu invaded and sacked Yin, capital of Shang dynasty.
The last Shang king, commited suicide after his army defeated by the Zhou people. There are legends saythat his army betrayed himby joining the Zhou rebels in a decisive battle that took place.
Information taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_Dynasty
www.art-and-archaeoloy.com/timelines/china/shang/html
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Religion
The Shang worshipped a figure they called "Shang Ti", or "Lord On High" . This supreme god ruled over lesser gods of the sun, the moon, the rain and other natural forces and places. Shang Ti also regulated human affairs as well as ruling material universe. This dual function would, in the Chou dynasty, be attributed to a more abstract figure, "tíen" or "Heaven".
The Shang also believed that their ancestors dwelled in heaven after their death and continued to show an interest in their family a descendants. The obligations within the family included, therefore , the ancestors. Failing in one's duties to the ancestors could bring all sorts of disaster on a family.
All these divine and semi-divine figures, from Shang Ti to a family's ancestors were sacrificed to. However, we know little of the nature and frequency of these sacrifices.
We do know, however that in the Chou dynasty only the king could sacrificed to Shang Ti, it is highly likely that Shang Ti was the"local king" of the Shang kings who was subsequently elevated in order to elevate the Shang themselves. Lesser were sacrificed at the founding of a palace or temple.
Information taken from
http://wsu.edu/~dee/ANCCHINA/SHANG.HTM
The Shang also believed that their ancestors dwelled in heaven after their death and continued to show an interest in their family a descendants. The obligations within the family included, therefore , the ancestors. Failing in one's duties to the ancestors could bring all sorts of disaster on a family.
All these divine and semi-divine figures, from Shang Ti to a family's ancestors were sacrificed to. However, we know little of the nature and frequency of these sacrifices.
We do know, however that in the Chou dynasty only the king could sacrificed to Shang Ti, it is highly likely that Shang Ti was the"local king" of the Shang kings who was subsequently elevated in order to elevate the Shang themselves. Lesser were sacrificed at the founding of a palace or temple.
Information taken from
http://wsu.edu/~dee/ANCCHINA/SHANG.HTM
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Features of the Indus Valley Civilisation
What is it?
Dish-on-stand
What is it made of?
Clay
Who made it?
Who made it?
The potter
Why is it needed for?
For ritual purpose
For ritual purpose
Where is it found?
At the foot of a flexed burial
What is it?
Cooking pot
What is it for?
To contain food
Who made it?
The potter at that time
Who has it at that time?
Every family would have one
How is it design?
Large globular shape
What is it?
City wall
Who build it?
People at that time
What is it for?
To prevent other people from other country to attack them
What is it made of?
Maybe bricks
How far is it away from the main city wall?
Approximately 4 metres
Images taken from www.harappa.com/har/haro.html
Occupation
Engineer:t to build these buildings
Jewellery Designer: designer these jewellery for the people at that time
Friday, July 17, 2009
WRITTINGSss....
Yes there are evidence to indicate that the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation had a system of communication.
What happened c. 1500 BCE
There are still no evidence to provide ways of looking at the past of the Indus Valley Civilisation. It was still a mystery of why, how and what had happened to caused a rapid end to the Indus Valley Civilisation but it was believe that the decline of the civilsation was due to the invading Aryans. Besides this, it was also told(no evidence to support it) that the climate change such as flood could also be the reason of the decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
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