Chapter 2: New Civilizations in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres Flashcards
What is the Shang Dynasty?
The Shang Dynasty lasted from 1750-1045 B.C.E. The Shang were the dominant people in the earliest Chinese dynasty for which we have written records. The Shang elite class was comprised of warriors, and religion was heavily centered on ancestral worship and spirits.
What is a loess?
A fine, light silt deposited by wind and water. It constitutes the fertile soil of the Yellow River Valley in northern China.
What is divination?
Divination is the interpretation of phenomena in the natural world as signs of the gods will and intentions. The ancients sought to communicate with the gods and predict the future through divination. In the Shang dynasty, oracle bones became an important means of divination. In Mesopotamia, close inspection of the size, form, and markings of the organs of sacrificed animals revealed predictions for the future.
What is the Zhou Dynasty?
The Zhou Dynasty lasted from 1045-221 B.C.E. The Zhou kingship was the longest and most revered in Chinese history. They created the concept of the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule. The Zhou period was remembered as a time of prosperity and benevolent rule.
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
The Mandate of Heaven is a Chinese religious and political ideology developed by the Zhou, according to which it was the prerogative of Heaven, the chief deity, to grant power to the ruler of China and to take away that power if the ruler failed to conduct himself justly and in the best interests of his subjects. It served as the foundation of political thought in China for 3000 years.
Who is Confucius?
Confucius is the Western name for the Chinese philosopher Kongzi. His doctrine of duty and public service had a great influence on subsequent Chinese thought and served as a code of conduct for government officials.
