If you were to travel back in time to Ancient China, then you would be able to see how different their lives were compared to the lives that we have today. For instance, they had many more challenges than we have. We have technology to help us with jobs, if we have a question, or pretty much anything. But technology wasn’t invented during the time of Ancient China, so what we use daily today, they had no clue what they were. In Ancient China, there was a dynasty named the Shang Dynasty, where there were six ways of life; the six social classes:
KINGS:
At the top of the social classes, there were the kings and his relatives.
At the top of the social classes, there were the kings and his relatives.
NOBLES:
The next class in the social classes was the nobles, which made up the highest-ranking social class after the ruling family. The nobles had many jobs, such as they had to fight in the king’s army, as well as provide weapons, foot soldiers, and chariots for any wars. However, the nobles of the Shang Dynasty also enjoys lives of luxury. While living in great palaces, they spent most of their time hunting. Also, the king would often give the nobles symbols of power, such as jade discs, which the nobles would mount on posts in their homes.
The next class in the social classes was the nobles, which made up the highest-ranking social class after the ruling family. The nobles had many jobs, such as they had to fight in the king’s army, as well as provide weapons, foot soldiers, and chariots for any wars. However, the nobles of the Shang Dynasty also enjoys lives of luxury. While living in great palaces, they spent most of their time hunting. Also, the king would often give the nobles symbols of power, such as jade discs, which the nobles would mount on posts in their homes.
CRAFTSPEOPLE:
The craftspeople formed a small social class, which included bronze and jade workers, potters, and stonemasons. Even though this class as a whole had a lower status than the nobles, the bronze workers were especially valued over others. They created the weapons used by the Shang warriors, as well as making and decorating containers for the king and nobles to use in religious ceremonies.
The craftspeople formed a small social class, which included bronze and jade workers, potters, and stonemasons. Even though this class as a whole had a lower status than the nobles, the bronze workers were especially valued over others. They created the weapons used by the Shang warriors, as well as making and decorating containers for the king and nobles to use in religious ceremonies.
TRADERS:
Traders were ranked the same way as the craftspeople: below nobles but above farmers. During this time, people would mostly trade goods, but they would also trade cowrie shells (a type of seashell) as money. These shells were very valuable because they came from far away, so the Shang had to trade with neighboring regions to get them.
Traders were ranked the same way as the craftspeople: below nobles but above farmers. During this time, people would mostly trade goods, but they would also trade cowrie shells (a type of seashell) as money. These shells were very valuable because they came from far away, so the Shang had to trade with neighboring regions to get them.
FARMERS:
Farmers were the largest social class in Shang society. They worked small plots of land, growing millet, wheat, barley, rice, fruit, vegetables, and nuts. However, they did not own the land that they farmed. Instead, the land was under control of either the king or the nobles. The farmers couldn't even keep most of their crops; they were only able to keep enough to feed themselves and their families. The rest was given to the nobles, which was then passed onto the king.
Farmers were the largest social class in Shang society. They worked small plots of land, growing millet, wheat, barley, rice, fruit, vegetables, and nuts. However, they did not own the land that they farmed. Instead, the land was under control of either the king or the nobles. The farmers couldn't even keep most of their crops; they were only able to keep enough to feed themselves and their families. The rest was given to the nobles, which was then passed onto the king.
SLAVES:
The slaves were at the very bottom of the Shang society. They were often captured in wars, and spent their lives building tombs and palaces. However, when their masters died, the slaves were sometimes sacrifices so they could serve their masters in the afterlife.
The slaves were at the very bottom of the Shang society. They were often captured in wars, and spent their lives building tombs and palaces. However, when their masters died, the slaves were sometimes sacrifices so they could serve their masters in the afterlife.