A bronze ding from the Shang Dynasty (11th c. BCE). Santa Barbara Museum of Art
- Dates: c. 1750-1100 BCE?
- Chinese/Japanese: 商 (Shang / Shou)
The Shang Dynasty was the second of China's semi-legendary Three Dynasties, and the earliest period from which written evidence is extant - mainly in the form of oracle bones. The period is also known for its bronzes. Evidence of Shang era walled cities have been discovered at Anyang (a short distance northeast of Luoyang, along the Wei River), and elsewhere.[1]
Some sources suggest that it was the use of war chariots - the technology itself, and the tactics for their use coming from the Near East - which allowed the Shang to subdue and unite the lands they did, in order to establish the dynasty.[2]
Rulers of Shang
- Tang of Shang
- Da Ding
- Wai Bing
- Zhong Ren
- Tai Jia
- Wo Ding
- Tai Geng
- Xiao Jia
- Yong Ji
- Tai Wu
- Zhong Ding
- Wai Ren
- Jian Jia
- Zu Yi
- Zu Xin
- Wo Jia
- Zu Ding
- Nan Geng
- Yang Jia
- Pan Geng
- Xiao Xin
- Xiao Yi
- Wu Ding
- Zu Geng
- Zu Jia
- Lin Xin
- Kang Ding
- Wu Yi
- Wen Ding
- Di Yi
- Di Xin
| Preceded by: Xia Dynasty |
Shang Dynasty c. 1750-1100 BCE? |
Succeeded by: Zhou Dynasty |
References
- K.C. Chang, Art, Myth, and Ritual, Harvard University Press (1983), 132.