Ancient Chinese

Civilization
By: Akshara, Ridhima, Theeksha, Sai
Maansi and Laasya
 How did Ancient China Begin?

Chinese civilization began along

the Yellow River in the Shang
era, and spread from there when
Bronze Age culture reached its
peak. Then, traditional Chinese
philosophies, such as
Confucianism and Taoism,
developed in the feudal Zhou era
as China expanded in territory
and population.
 How did Ancient China prosper?
Papermaking, printing, gunpowder and
the compass - the four great inventions
of ancient China-are significant
contributions of the Chinese nation to
world civilization. China was the first
nation to invent paper. ... At the
beginning of the 3rd century, the paper
making process first spread to Korea and
then to Japan.
What happened during the Ancient Chinese
Civilization?
From small farming communities
rose dynasties such as the Zhou
(1046-256 B.C.E), Qin (221-206
B.C.E), and Ming dynasties (1368-
1644 C.E.). ... During the Qin
Dynasty, Qin Shi Huang
commissioned the Terracotta Army,
and the Ming Dynasty refurbished
the Great Wall to protect the nation
from Mongol attacks.
 How did Ancient Chinese Civilization fall?

In the late ninth century a disastrous

harvest precipitated by drought
brought famine to China under the
rule of the Tang dynasty. By A.D. 907
—after nearly three centuries of rule
—the dynasty fell when its emperor,
Ai, was deposed, and the empire was
divided.
 Dynasties in Ancient China

• Shang Dynasty (c.1600-1050 BC)

• Zhou Dynasty (1050-256 BC)
• Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220)
• Sui Dynasty (581-617)
• Tang Dynasty (618-907)
• Song Dynasty (960-1276)
 What was the most powerful dynasty in
ancient China?

The Tang dynasty (618–906 C.E.) is often described as the greatest of the
dynasties. Its members included China's only female ruler, Empress Wu
Zetian (625–705 C.E.), who reigned for 20 years. A period of warring
followed the Tang dynasty.
 The Shang Dynasty
(c.1600-1050 BC)
The Shang Dynasty is the earliest
ruling dynasty of China to be
established in recorded history,
though other dynasties predated it.
The Shang ruled from 1600 to
1046 B.C. and heralded the
Bronze Age in China. They were
known for their advances in math,
astronomy, artwork and military
technology.
 What made Ancient China different from
other Ancient civilizations?
In ancient China, civilization
developed much like it did in
Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the
Indus Valley. But while these
other civilizations grew side by
side, knew of each other, and
traded extensively, Chinese
civilization developed
independently, with very little
influence from the cultures to the
west.
 Ancient Chinese Money

In ancient China, coins were used as currency instead of paper money. Ancient
coins were mainly made of copper, iron, gold and silver with different shapes,
weight and marks. Ancient coins played an important role in archaeology, as
well as exploring the history of commercial and economy in ancient China.
The metal coins turned up in the last phase of the Spring and Autumn Period
(770 BC–476 BC), and the history of paper currency in China can be dated up
to the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127).
 The Great Wall Of China
When Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered construction of the
Great Wall around 221 B.C., the labor force that built the
wall was made up largely of soldiers and convicts. It is said
that as many as 400,000 people died during the wall's
construction; many of these workers were buried within the
wall itself.
2,300 years ago the first sections of the Great Wall were built
to keep outsiders out, but ironically it is now rebuilt to draw
tourists in. Over the centuries, the Great Wall has been built
and rebuilt for three main purposes: as kingdom border
defenses, to defend China's northern border, and for tourism.
2,600 Years Ago — Walls Were Built to Defend Warring
State
 Taoism

Taoism was founded during the Zhou Dynasty in the 6th century by Lao-Tzu. Lao-Tzu wrote
down his beliefs and philosophy in a book called the Tao Te Ching.

Taoism believes that people should be one with nature and that all living things have a universal
force flowing through them. Taoists didn't believe in a lot of rules or government. In this way
they were very different from the followers of Confucius.

The idea of Yin and Yang comes from Taoism. They believed that everything in nature has two
balancing forces called Yin and Yang. These forces can be thought of as dark and light, cold and
hot, male and female. These opposing forces are always equal and balanced.
 Confucianism
Not long after Lao-Tzu founded Taoism, Confucius was born in 551 BC. Confucius was a philosopher and
thinker. Confucius came up with ways that people should behave and live. He didn't write these down, but
his followers did. Confucius' teachings focus on treating others with respect, politeness, and fairness. He
thought that honor and morality were important qualities. He also said that family was important and
honoring one's relatives was required. Unlike Taoists, followers of Confucius believed in a strong organized
government.

• Forget injuries, never forget kindness.

• It does not how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

• Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in getting up every time we do.

• When anger rises, think about the consequences.

• Everything has its beauty not everyone sees it.

 Buddhism
Buddhism was based on the teachings of Buddha. Buddha
was born in Nepal, just south of China, in 563 BC.
Buddhism spread throughout much of India and China.
Buddhists believe in a "rebirth" of the self. They also
believe that the cycle of rebirth is complete once a person
lives a proper life. At this point the person's soul would
enter nirvana.
Buddhists also believe in a concept called Karma. Karma
says that all actions have consequences. So actions you take
today will come back in the future to help you (or hurt you)
depending on whether your actions were good or bad.
 The Invasion Of Ancient China

The Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan started the conquest with small-scale raids
into Western Xia in 1205 and 1207. By 1279, the Mongol leader Kublai Khan had
established the Yuan dynasty in China and crushed the last Song resistance, which
marked the onset of all of China under the Mongol Yuan rule.
 Life as a Farmer
The majority of the people in Ancient China
were peasant farmers. Although they were
respected for the food they provided for the
rest of the Chinese, they lived tough and
difficult lives.
Typical farmers lived in a small village of
around 100 families. They worked small
family farms. Although they had plows and
sometimes used animals like dogs and oxen
to do the work, most of the work was done
by hand.
Working For The Government

Farmers had to work for the

government for about one month each
year. They served in the military or
worked construction projects like
building canals, palaces, and city
walls. Farmers also had to pay a tax
by giving the government a
percentage of their crops.
 Food
The type of food that people ate
depended on where they were living.
In the north the main crop was a grain
called millet and in the south the
main crop was rice. Eventually rice
became the main staple for much of
the country. Farmers also kept
animals such as goats, pigs, and
chickens. People that lived close to
the rivers ate fish as well.
 Tea Culture
The history of tea dates back to ancient China, almost 5,000
years ago. According to legend, in 2732 B.C. Emperor Shen
Nung discovered tea when leaves from a wild tree blew into
his pot of boiling water. He was immediately interested in the
pleasant scent of the resulting brew, and drank some. Image
result for tea culture in ancient China In the beginning, tea
was used in ritual offerings. Then, tea leaves were eaten as a
vegetable, or used in medicine. Until the Han Dynasty more
than 2,000 years ago, tea was a new drink. During the Sui
Dynasty (581-618), tea was used for its medicinal qualities.
Tea has played a prominent role in Chinese history and in
China's relations with foreign cultures near and far. It was a
luxury product, along with porcelain and silk, that defined
Chinese civilization and was eagerly sought after by all
peoples who acquired a taste for its stimulating brew.
 Silk Road
The Silk Road was a trade route that went from China to Eastern Europe. It went along the
northern borders of China, India, and Persia and ended up in Eastern Europe near today's
Turkey and the Mediterranean Sea. The Silk Road was important because it helped to
generate trade and commerce between a number of different kingdoms and empires. This
helped for ideas, culture, inventions, and unique products to spread across much of the
settled world. It was called the Silk Road because one of the major products traded was silk
cloth from China. People throughout Asia and Europe prized Chinese silk for its softness and
luxury. The Chinese sold silk for thousands of years and even the Romans called China the
"land of silk". Besides silk, the Chinese also exported (sold) teas, salt, sugar, porcelain, and
spices. Most of what was traded was expensive luxury goods. This was because it was a long
trip and merchants didn't have a lot of room for goods. They imported, or bought, goods like
cotton, ivory, wool, gold, and silver. Merchants and tradesmen traveled in large caravans.
They would have many guards with them. Traveling in a big group like a caravan helped in
defending from bandits. Camels were popular animals for transport because much of the road
was through dry and harsh land. Although there was some trade between China and the rest
of the world for some time, the silk trade was significantly expanded and promoted by the
Han Dynasty which ruled from 206 BC to 220 AD. Later, under the rule of the Yuan Dynasty
set up by Kublai Khan of the Mongols, trade from China along the Silk Road would reach its
peak. During this time the Mongols controlled a significant portion of the trade route,
enabling Chinese merchants to travel safely. Also, merchants were granted more social status
during the Mongol rule.
 Silk
During some dynasties in ancient China, silk was even used as a form of
money. Silk was used to make beautiful clothing. But it was also used to
make silk canvas for painting and strong fishing line. It was even used to
make the most expensive and sought after paper. Silk became a prized
export for the Chinese. Nobles and kings of foreign lands desired silk and
would pay high prices for the cloth. The emperors of China wanted to
keep the process for making silk a secret. Anyone caught telling the
secret or taking silkworms out of China was put to death. The Chinese
managed to keep silk a secret for over 1000 years. However, in 550 AD
the secret of silk became known to other countries when two monks from
the Byzantine Empire managed to smuggle some silkworm eggs out of
the country. They hid the eggs inside of their bamboo walking sticks.
 Ancient Chinese Fashion
The poor people, or peasants, wore clothing made of hemp. This was a rough material
made from plant fibers. It was durable and good for working in the fields. Generally
clothes made of hemp were loose fitting pants and shirts. The people of higher status
wore clothes made of silk. Silk is made from the cocoons of silkworms and is soft, light,
and beautiful. The Chinese were the first to make silk and kept how to make it secret for
hundreds of years. There were many rules around colors and who got to wear what type
of clothes. Only certain people, like high ranking officials and members of the
emperor's court, were allowed to wear silk. Lower ranking people could actually be
punished for wearing silk clothing. There were also rules describing what colors people
could wear. Only the emperor could wear yellow. During the Sui Dynasty poor people
were only allowed to wear blue or black clothing. The color of clothing also symbolized
emotions. White clothing was worn during mourning (when someone died) and red was
worn to show joy and happiness. When the Mongols conquered China during the Yuan
Dynasty they brought cotton clothing with them. Cotton clothing became popular
among the poor because it was cheaper, warmer, and softer than hemp.
 Life in The City
Life was much different for those living in the city.
People in the cities worked a variety of jobs
including merchants, craftsmen, government
officials, and scholars. Many cities in Ancient
China grew very large with some having
populations totaling hundreds of thousands of
people. The cities of China were surrounded with
formidable walls made from packed dirt. Each night
the city gates were locked shut and no one was
allowed to enter or leave the city after dark.
 Family Life

The Chinese family was ruled by the father of the house. His wife and children were required
to obey him in all things. Women generally took care of the home and raised the children.
Marriage partners were decided by the parents and the preferences of the children getting
married often had little impact on the parent’s choice.
A big part of Chinese family life was the respect of their elders. Children of all ages, even
grown ups, were required to respect their parents. This respect continued even after people
were dead. The Chinese would often would pray to their ancestors and offer sacrifices to
them. Respect of the elders was also part of the religion Confucianism.
 School

Only wealthy boys attended school in Ancient China. They learned how to write
using calligraphy. They also learned about the teachings of Confucius and
studied poetry. These were important skills for government officials and the
nobles.
 Life Of Women

The life of women in Ancient China was especially difficult. They were
considered much less valuable than men. Sometimes when a baby girl was
born she was put outside to die if the family didn't want it. This was
considered okay in their society. Women had no say in who they would want
to marry.
 The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City was the palace of the Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is located in the heart of Beijing,
the capital city of China, and is the largest ancient palace in the world. The Forbidden City was built under the orders of the powerful
Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty between the years 1406 to 1420. More than one million people worked on the construction of
the expansive palace. The best materials were brought in from all over China including specially made "golden" bricks, logs of the rare
Phoebe zhennan trees, and blocks of marble. When the palace was completed, the Yongle Emperor moved the capital of the empire to
Beijing city. The Forbidden City is enormous. It covers an area of 178 acres that include 90 palaces with courtyards, 980 total
buildings, and at least 8,700 rooms. The total floor space is over 1,600,000 square feet. Imagine if it was your job to clean that floor.
The emperor had an army of servants, however, to take care of his palace and all the people that lived there. The Forbidden City also
served as a fortress to protect the emperor and his family. It is surrounded by a 26 feet high wall and a 170 feet wide moat. Each corner
of the palace has a tall guard tower where guards used to keep watch for enemies and assassins. The Forbidden City also served as a
fortress to protect the emperor and his family. It is surrounded by a 26 feet high wall and a 170 feet wide moat. Each corner of the
palace has a tall guard tower where guards used to keep watch for enemies and assassins. Each side of the palace has a gate with the
main gate being the Meridian Gate to the south. The other gates include the Gate of Devine Might to the north, the East Glorious Gate,
and the West Glorious Gate.
 Interesting Facts About Daily
Life In China
• Merchants were considered the lowest class of workers. They were
not allowed to wear silk or ride in carriages.
• Young girls had their feet painfully bound to prevent their feet from
growing because small feet were considered attractive. This caused
their feet to become deformed and made it difficult to walk.
• Three generations (grandparent, parents, kids) usually all lived in
the same house.
• Most Homes in the city had a courtyard that was open to the sky.
• Tea became an important part of Chinese culture around the 2nd
century. It was called “Cha”.
 Interesting Facts On China
• The last emperor of China, Puyi, became ruler when he was only 3 years old.

• The Chinese have used chopsticks to eat with for over 4,000 years.

• Two major rivers played a role in Ancient China: The Yellow River and the
Yangtze River. The Yangtze is 3rd longest river in the world Yellow is 6 th.

• The Ancient Chinese were the first to drink Tea. At first it was used for medicine
purposes.

• According to the legend, Silk was discovered in the Emperor’s Garden in 2700 BC
Hsi-Ling-Shi, the wife of the Emperor Huang-Ti.

• Although many people spoke different Chinese, The written language was the
same making writing and reading very important to the Empire.