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Download Lecture 03: China in Antiquity Thoughts for Today I am not one who
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Lecture 03: China in Antiquity Thoughts for Today I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there. Study the past if you would define the future. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. Confucius, The Confucian Analects Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC) Dawn of Chinese Civilization Land and People Early civilization along the Yellow and Yangtze rivers** 12% arable land Importance of geography: isolation and invasion Shang Dynasty Chinese civilization began 4,000 yrs ago First dynasty: Xia (Hsia) th Second dynasty: Shang - 16 century B.C. Political Organization and Social Structures Agricultural society Central bureaucracy in the capital Aristocrats governed territories War with large armies that used chariots (mid 2nd M, B.C.)** King was intermediary between heaven and earth Clear sense of afterlife—veneration of ancestors, human sacrifice Clans with a common name Class differentiation: aristocrats, merchants, artisans, peasants, and slaves Mastery of bronze casting Sophisticated writing system Page 1 of 4 Zhou (Chou) Dynasty (1045-221 B.C.) Two Capitals—Xian and Luoyang Political Structures King ran central government with large bureaucracy of ministries Principalities governed by appointed officials Mandate of Heaven Rites of Zhou •King is a representative of Heaven Cardinal principle: •King had to ‘earn the mandate of Heaven” Rule with compassion and efficiency or be overthrown and replaced Economy and Society Agricultural Advances •Water control projects, iron plows, natural fertilizer, collar harness •Leaving land fallow, cultivation of wet rice •Population growth Trade and Manufacturing •Population boom (20 M) fed growth of commerce and manufacturing th •Silk production and trade—Silk Road from 5 C B.C. •Economic wealth replaced noble birth for power and influence •Move toward money economy Hundred Schools of Ancient Philosophy Early Beliefs Shang Di – Shang god presided over forces of nature Yang (sun) and Yin (moon) Book of Changes, Yi Jing (I Ching) Confucianism Confucius (Kung Fuci)--551-479 B.C. •Political and social philosopher •Analects - universe had a moral code •Dao (The Way), rule by merit •Concept of duty, idea of humanity Mencius (370-290 B.C.) •Human beings are by nature good. •Ruler’s duty is to govern with compassion Page 2 of 4 Legalism Rejected Confucian view Human beings are by nature evil and would follow the correct path only if coerced by harsh laws and stiff punishments. No moral core of the universe Only firm action by the state can bring social order Only a strong ruler can create a stable, orderly society Daoism Lao Tzu (Lao Zi) Dao De Jing (The Way of the Tao) Proper forms of behavior The true way to interpret the will of Heaven is not action but inaction (wu wei) Let nature takes its course Appealed to those uncomfortable with work ethic Popular Beliefs Spiritualistic and animistic beliefs Daoism: rituals and forms of behavior as a means of achieving heavenly salvation or immortality on earth Proper ritual to prevent haunting by deceased China During the Period of the Warring States The Rise of the Chinese Empire: The Qin Dynasty Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.) Qin Shi Huangdi (Ch’in Shih Huang Ti), 246 B.C. Absolute rule by Legalism (Li Su) with harsh penal code Book burning to control dissent Highly centralized state with officials in capital (civil, military, censorate) Restriction of commercial activities and created monopolies Aggressive foreign affairs Beyond the Frontier: Nomadic Peoples and Great Wall of China Warriors on horseback; Factional rivalry in the court Fall of the Qin Restriction of commercial activities and created monopolies Aggressive foreign affairs Daily Life in Ancient China Chinese Thoughts on Women “For disorder does not come from heaven, But is brought about by women. Among those who cannot be trained or taught Are women and eunuchs.” Page 3 of 4 Chinese Culture Language and Literature Writing •Ideographic and pictographic •Calligraphy, aesthetics and art •Standardized writing system Chinese Literature Music Metalwork and sculpture Bronze Casting molds allowed for clear line and rich surface decoration •Gave way to iron casting First Emperor’s Tomb - terra-cotta army •Clay Page 4 of 4
