Shang Dynasty Social Class!
The Shang social structure consists of six classes. The classes includes King and Relatives, Nobles, Artisans, Traders, Farmers, and Slaves.
Nobles-
Nobles were the highest ranking class after the royal class. Nobles fought in the King's armies. The nobles supplies the army with weapons, foot soldiers, and chariots. Shang nobles lived a life of luxury. They often lived in palaces and spent time hunting. Nobles hunted animals such as foxes, badgers, and other wild animals. Nobles were very highly respected by the king. In fact, the king often gave nobles symbols of power.
Artisans-
Artisans were a talented group of potters, stone makers, and workers crafting items of bronze and jade. They had a lower
status than nobles but higher status than farmers. Artisans that were skilled in bronze were very valued. They often made
weapons used by Shang warriors. They made and decorated containers used by the king and nobles religious
ceremonies.
Traders-
It is believed that the Shang traded extensively. During this dynasty people mostly exchanged goods.They often used
cowrie shells as money.The shells were valuable because they came from far away.The Shang people traded with
neighboring regions to get them.
Farmers-
Farmers made up the largest social class in the society. They grew millet, wheat, barley, rice, fruit, vegetables, and nuts.
They did not own the land they farmed. Their land was under control of the king or nobles. Farmers could only keep
enough food to feed themselves and their families. Even after the Chinese began to make bronze and iron weapons
many farmers still used simple tools made of wood and stone.Besides growing crops, farmers learned to raise cattle,
pigs, and chickens.
Slaves-
At the very bottom of the Shang society were slaves. Many slaves were prisoners of war. They spent most of their lives
building tombs and palaces.When their masters passed on, the slaves were sometimes sacrificed. They were
sacrificed because it was believed that slaves should continue to serve their masters in the afterlife.
Nobles-
Nobles were the highest ranking class after the royal class. Nobles fought in the King's armies. The nobles supplies the army with weapons, foot soldiers, and chariots. Shang nobles lived a life of luxury. They often lived in palaces and spent time hunting. Nobles hunted animals such as foxes, badgers, and other wild animals. Nobles were very highly respected by the king. In fact, the king often gave nobles symbols of power.
Artisans-
Artisans were a talented group of potters, stone makers, and workers crafting items of bronze and jade. They had a lower
status than nobles but higher status than farmers. Artisans that were skilled in bronze were very valued. They often made
weapons used by Shang warriors. They made and decorated containers used by the king and nobles religious
ceremonies.
Traders-
It is believed that the Shang traded extensively. During this dynasty people mostly exchanged goods.They often used
cowrie shells as money.The shells were valuable because they came from far away.The Shang people traded with
neighboring regions to get them.
Farmers-
Farmers made up the largest social class in the society. They grew millet, wheat, barley, rice, fruit, vegetables, and nuts.
They did not own the land they farmed. Their land was under control of the king or nobles. Farmers could only keep
enough food to feed themselves and their families. Even after the Chinese began to make bronze and iron weapons
many farmers still used simple tools made of wood and stone.Besides growing crops, farmers learned to raise cattle,
pigs, and chickens.
Slaves-
At the very bottom of the Shang society were slaves. Many slaves were prisoners of war. They spent most of their lives
building tombs and palaces.When their masters passed on, the slaves were sometimes sacrificed. They were
sacrificed because it was believed that slaves should continue to serve their masters in the afterlife.