| A universal guide for China studiesChinese History - Zhou Dynasty 周代 (11th cent.-221 BC) |
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Zhou Dynasty |  period before (Shang)--The Feudal Lords next period (Qin)  | |
| Map and Geography I Map and Geography II Map and Geography III | ||
 |  The Zhou culture is apparently a mixture of different cultures of peoples that lived in the Wei River walley. After leaving the Zhou plain to expand their realm, the Zhou people adopted keenly the culture of the subdued Shang people. Oracle bone divination, bronze casting for sacrificial purposes and burying rites were almost the same as the Shang rulers used to impose. Writing was first used to comment divination results on bones and to write down enfeoffments and events of great importance upon bronze vessels that were buried with the deceased nobles together. But the Western Zhou also developed their own style in decorating vessels. Ornaments and vessel types became quite different the Shang motifs earlier. But historical events during the Western Zhou period were also written down upon bamboo strips, that did not survive, but whose texts were transmitted through the centuries. The most important texts to the Zhou tradition became also the core texts of the later Confucian classics: The "Books of Documents" (Shangshu 尚書 or Shujing 書經, literally "Texts of the Old") is a collection of speeches and discussions the mythical Xia and the Shang Dynasty to the end of Western Zhou period. The "Book of Songs" . Of all states, Qin proved to be the strongest. In 221, all the Six States were defeated, additionally Shu and Ba, and the king of Qin proclaimed himself Emperor. The territory of the south that was inhabited by "babarians" until then, should be conquered. Around this center of culturally advanced states we find lots of Non-Chinese "barbarian" tribes and peoples, namely the Xiongnu 匈奴 in the west and north - the shall play an important role during the Western Han Dynasty-, and the Dongyue 東越, and Pu 濮, Baiyue 百越 and Yangyue 揚粵 in the south. Compared to the Western Zhou and Spring and Autumn periods, the area north of the Yangtse has gradually become sinicized. For the first time, fortification walls against the nomad tribes in the north are erected by the states of Qin and Yan. Go back to the Zhou Dynasty introduction page and learn more about Zhou Dynasty economy, arts, literature, government... | |
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