ANS 302C Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Shang Dynasty, Oracle Bone, Taotie
Document Summary
The origins of chinese civilization: neolithic period to the western zhou dynasty (to. Yao gives shun throne because he demonstrated filial piety. Shun appoints yu to solve problem of floods in china- does not succeed but is named successor: founds xia dynasty. Yu of xia dynasty- tries to choose successor, but instead his son takes throne - established precedent of hereditary, dynastic rule. Xia overthrown for shang - lasted 30 years. China: defined by technology and statecraft- agriculture, writing, flood control, monarchy combining virtue and hereditary succesion, etc. Story of china recorded as single-stranded narrative generated on succession of rulers. Modern scholars pay mind to all those things but give weight to role of ritual and religion in shaping china"s culture"s characteristics. Also do not see history as a single-story centered on a royal line. China proper: 1000 miles north to south and east to west.
