.
2.13
EARLY CIVILIZATIONS
EARLY CIVILIZATIONS
Major Chinese Dynasties and Periods c. 2205 BCE-907 CE
0
0
Greatest extent
of territory
1000 km
~
0
~
1000 miles
Pacific
Ocean
Pacific
Ocean
Hsia
c. 2205-1766 BCE
.
Shang
c. 1766-1122 BCE
Pacific
Ocean
Pacific
Ocean
Chou
Ch'in
256-206 BCE
c. 1122-256BCE
Pacific
Ocean
Pacific
Ocean
Three Kingdoms
and Six Dynasties
220-589 CE
Han
202 BCE-220CE
.
Pacific
Ocean
Pacific
Ocean
Sui
581-618 CE
Tang
618-907 CE
@Diagram
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2.14
~
EARLY CIVILIZATIONS
EARLY CIVILIZATIONS
Hsia, Shang, & Chou Dynasties in China c. 2205*-256
DYNASTIES/PERIODS
D
".
c. 2205-1766*
BCE
Hsia
c. 1766-1122* BCE
Shang
ft c. 1122*-771 BCE
. Western (early) Chou
1
771-256
ft
.
722-481
ft
403-221
"
Eastern
EVENTS
2250
BCE Legendary king Yu founds Hsia dynasty,
supposedly the first culturally "Chinese" dynasty, and
rules to 2197
2150
c. 1766* Last Hsia king Chieh, tyrant hated by his
people, overthrown by Tang who establishes Shang
dynasty
c. 1200 Earliest written script preserved on
tortoiseshells and bones, known as tortoiseshell
1950
BCE
1850
BCE
Warring States period
1750
1650
1550
850
from around
750
1200 BCE
650
550
450
Two sources are generally used to date the
legendary Hsia, Shang, and early Chou dynasties: The Bamboo Annals and the "orthodox"
Chinese historical chronology. The dates of the
two sources differ greatly until the year 841 BC,
when they converge. Those given here belong
to the "orthodox" chronology.
*
I
1122*
Last
Shang
king
Chou
Hsin,
ruthless
tyrant
841* First completely reliable date in Chinese history.
Dates of "orthodox" Chinese chronology and The
Bamboo Annals converge
776 Earliest observation of solar eclipse is recorded in
(later) Chou dynasty established by King P'ing at Lo-i,
near what is now Loyang. Eastern Chou dynasty
virtually powerless with merely nominal rule over rival
princes of vassal states
722-481
Ch'un Ch'iu (Spring and Fall) period: time
950
.
documented in historical Spring and Fall Annals of
Chou vassal state of Lu, from which period takes its
name. Loose confederacy exists between states to protect Chinese peoples from invading nomads. Chief
states are Chin, Ch'i, Ch'in, Ch'u, Lu, Sung, and Yen
c. 685 Emergence of five most powerful states (Chin,
Ch'i, Ch'in, Ch'u, and Sung), whose lords each, in turn,
command confederacy as overlords
611 The Spring and Fall Annals record passage of
Halley's comet
500-200
Confucian, Taoist, Moist, Legalist, and other
schools of philosophy flourish
500-200 Iron-smelting technology makes great
progress; iron tools widely used
453 Powerful state of Chin is carved up by three rival
noble families into states of Chao, Han, and Wei (''three
Chin"). Weakening of this former state allows its neighbor, Ch'in, to grow even more powerful
403 Imperial house of Eastern Chou recognizes three
new states of Chao, Han, and Wei: Warring States
period begins (continues to 221 BCE)as rival states of
''three Chin," Ch'in, Ch'u, Ch'i, and Yen struggle for
overlordship
307 Cavalry of archers begins to replace horse-drawn
war chariots (in state of Chao)
256 Ch'in emerges as most powerful of Warring States.
Ch'in kills last Chou king Nan and exterminates
Eastern Chou dynasty.
~O
250
@ Diagram
All electronic
.
hated by his people, defeated in battle by King Wu of
Chou. Western (early) Chou dynasty established and
rules over confederacy of Chinese states. During
period of rule (to 771 BCE),Western Chou dynasty
increasingly devolves power to vassal lords of semiindependent states
c. 878-828* Reign of Western Chou king Li. Decline of
Western Chou begins
1350
1050
for divination
c.
Shi Ching (Classic of Poetry)
771 Last Western Chou king Yu killed and Chou
capital of Chou Tsung sacked by nomads. Eastern
1150
: m 1\
inscriptions or "oracle bones," used for religious rites.
Gold, copper, tin, and lead in use, and bronze smelting
and casting at advanced stage; silkworms raised and
silk woven into cloth; horse-drawn chariots developed
1450
1250
A Shang tortoiseshell oracle showing
early Chinese writing.These were used
m~ ~
BeE
c. 2205*
BCE
Ch'un Ch'iu (Spring and Fall)
period
~"1
BC
2050
(later) Chou
i m K
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