Shang Dynasty Research Paper

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Essay 1: Prompt C China's Shang Dynasty, roughly around 1000-2000 B.C., and Mesopotamia, around 1500 B.C. use Monarchs to control law making as well as economic distribution. In China, Emperors gain power through the mandate of heaven and conquest, while the King competes for the title of ruler through strength. Emperor’s main role in his society is to ensure protection for his citizens against foreign invaders and keeping track of the season in order to ensure plenty of food for his kingdom. On the other hand, The King of Mesopotamia serves to ensure social hierarchy, while competing for resources with other city-states. Although they have different roles within their society, there main focus is to ensure the best interest of their followers. …show more content…

City within China built “defensive walls for protection and dug wells to supply water” (World 70). These cities needed someone of power to build these protective walls to guard its citizens. “The Villages' defensive walls were essential”, therefore, the job of the engineer, which is the emperor, building these walls are an essential task of this society. The task of the emperor is to protect his citizens from savages outside its walls. The emperor also had a mythical duty to control the seasons. “Calculate and delineate the sun, the moon..and respectfully to give the people the seasons” (Canon 204). This quote shows that the Emperor was in charge of giving people the season. But why is the season so important to this culture? “The Liangzhu grew rive and fruits” (Worlds 70). These cities grew their own food and agriculture relies on the weather and the season to produce. “Oh he is plucking southernwood.. it seems like three autumns” (Song #45). Thus, showing that citizens grew certain crops during certain season indicating that season is very important to the people. It is the job of the emperor to control the season by calculating the exact time a certain season begins in order to ensure that the right crop is planted and harvested. Moreover, it is the job of the emperor to ensure the production of food by stating when it is the appropriate time to plant crops. By designing walls and keeping track of the seasons, the emperor ensure the duty of the protector and provider of the Chinese