The Xia Dynasty ~ End of China's Primitive Society and Beginning of Class Society!
There is still debate about whether this dynasty in ancient China actually existed. In 1959, however, archaeologists uncovered ruins at Erlitou in Yanshi, Henan Province, dating back to the time of the Xia Dynasty (circa 2,070 to 1,600 BCE). Until this evidence can be matched to what little written historical evidence remains, there will still be controversy about whether this civilisation is just a legend described in the Records of the Grand Historian and Bamboo Annals.
The people during the Xia Dynasty lived in the western area of Henan Province and southern Shanxi Province of China. The political structure of this time was a patriarchal clan system, the head of the Xia clan being the emperor. The people made pottery, crafted bronze-ware (including weapons) and had an agricultural base. It was a slave society, and the rulers had complicated rituals to convene with the gods. The Xia Dynasty lasted nearly 500 years, is the first in Chinese history and included the reign of 17 emperors.
Yu the Great: Public Domain
The Xia Dynasty on Wikipedia!
Read what the online reference source says...
The Xia Dynasty of China is the first dynasty without any historical records. The Xia Dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great - Mungello, David E. The Great Encounter of China and the West, 1500-1800 Rowman & Littlefield; 3 edition (28 Mar 2009) ISBN 978-0742557987 p.97 after Shun gave his throne to him. According to the traditional chronology based upon calculations by Liu Xin, the Xia ruled between 2205 BC and 1766 BC; however, according to the chronology based upon the Bamboo Annals, it is between 1989 BC and 1558 BC. The Xia Shang Zhou Chronology Project concluded with 2070 BC and 1600 BC. Although there are some scholars who have debated over whether the dynasty really existed, archaeological evidence points toward its existence.According to historical records, it was preceded by the period of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors and followed by the Shang Dynasty.
Accuracy of Dates:
841 BCE is the first date generally accepted as accurate in Chinese history. All dates prior to this are subject to dispute by experts.
Is The Xia Dynasty a Legend?
Western archaeologists state that there is not enough documentary evidence whereas Chinese experts claim Erlitou is proof the Xia existed!
The Erlitou Ruins: Proof of the Xia Dynasty?
Have a Say: Are Western Archaeologists Right?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byXia Dynasty Emperors ~ a Timeline!
Historical Timeline from circa 2070 to 1600 BCE!
1st Xia Emperor - Yu the Great! Ruled for around 45 years (circa 2070 to 2025 BCE)... was famous for his flood mitigation works. His father, Gun, spent nine years unsuccessfully trying to use earthen dikes to hold back the waters of the Yellow River. He was executed by King Di Shun for his failure. Di Shun then gave this task to Yu, who built canals to drain the waters and provide irrigation channels for the farmers.Yu was so dedicated to his task that, on three occasions, he passed his house and refused to visit his family as he was so dedicated to his work. Imagine how long a marriage would last today under these circumstances! His dedication and the effectiveness of his work resulted in him being bestowed with the kingdom!
2nd Xia Emperor - Qi, Son of Yu... ruled for around 9 years (circa 2025 to 2016 BCE). There is some doubt whether Qi grabbed power for himself by assassinating his father's preferred successor, Boyi, the son of Gao Yao (Yu's trusted advisor), or it was thrust upon him by Xia leaders who revered his father so much they installed Qi and introduced a hereditary system.
According to the Bamboo Annals, Boyi took the throne and became the King of the Xia, but later Qi assassinated him and supplanted him! Another version cites Boyi as being installed as regent but proved unpopular, so the Xia leaders voted Qi into power!
3rd Xia Dynasty Ruler - Tai Kang, Son of Qi... Ruled for around 19 years (2016 to1097 BCE). The third Xia King was reported to be an unremarkable ruler who preferred hunting to royal duties. He established his kingdom at Zhen Xun, and drowned in a lake, several years after losing his throne.
4th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Zhong Kang, Younger Brother of Tai Kang... Zhong Kang ordered his military chief, General Zeng, to invade Yihe, as their king drank alcohol heavily and had many concubines. This resulted in the people living a profligate lifestyle. Zhong Kang made Kun Wu his prime minister and his son the Duke of Deng. Towards the end of his reign his son, Xiang, left his family home to live in Shangqiu with a minister named Pi.
5th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Xiang, Son of Zhong Kang... Battles on horseback commenced during this period. Established his capital in Shangqiu. In the first two years of his reign, he sent troops to battle the Huai, Fei, Feng and Huang Barbarians. Xiang led a military empire for around 40 years, that was shared with a great archer Houyi and a rival named Han Zhuo. During this kingdom, Han Zhuo killed legendary archer, Houyi, (who has become deified) with his son Jiao.
Later, Han Zhuo ordered his son to kill Xiang and his pregnant wife, Queen Ji, but this plot was partially foiled. Xiang was assassinated, but Ji escaped and gave birth to a boy, named Shao Kang, who later executed Han Zhuo and claimed the throne.
6th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Shao Kang (Ning), Posthumous Son of Xiang...
7th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Zhu, Son of Shao Kang...
8th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Huai, Son of Zhu...
9th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Mang, Son of Huai...
10th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Xie, Son of Mang...
11th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Bu Jiang, Son of Xie...
12th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Jiong, Younger Brother of Bu Jiang...
13th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Jin, Son of Jiong...
14th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Kong Jia, Son of Bu Jiang...
15th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Gao, Son of Kong Jia...
16th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Fa, Son of Gao...
17th Xia Dynasty Ruler - Jie, Son of Fa...
The Xia Dynasty and Successors on Amazon!
History Of China: History of the Republic of China, Xia Dynasty, Shang Dynasty, Zhou Dynasty, Spring and Autumn Period, Warring States Period, Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty
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Blog Posts About the Xia Dynasty!
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Your Comments on The Xia Dynasty!
Don't forget to have your say. Is this dynasty a legend?
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- MsSnow4a MsSnow4a Oct 15, 2009 @ 12:08 pm
- Interesting lens , Lots of great information. Blessed by an angel :)
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- minirich minirich Oct 12, 2009 @ 6:29 am
- Great thing, i learned something new. Only the language sounds a little bit bumpy, try to make it more verbose to get a better flow.
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- kitty222 kitty222 Oct 11, 2009 @ 10:38 pm
- Good lens; I'd just do some editing to make the English flow better. One example: "Di Shun then gave this task to Yu to solve, who built canals to drain the waters and provide irrigation channels for the farmers." I'd eliminate the words "to solve." Also, if you have information on the rulers after the 5th Xia Dynasty Ruler, Xiang, Son of Zhong Kang, be sure to add it. I like the info you included though.
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- sandyspider sandyspider Sep 30, 2009 @ 6:56 pm
- Another good one!
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