Xia dynasty

The Xia Dynasty (Chinese夏朝, Pinyin Xiachao, W.-G. Hsia- ch'ao ) is the first documented dynasty in Chinese history. You may existed between about 2200 BC to about 1800 BC Narrated total names of 17 kings of 13 generations.

The actual existence of the Xia dynasty is doubted by many to this day, especially western historians. They criticize above all the absence of convincing contemporary artifacts, while the first written records of the Xia Dynasty available only at intervals of about 1,000 years after the events of the day, so that one can hardly distinguish between myths and reality. Many Chinese historians and archaeologists believe that the historical record essentially represents the reality. Above all be rich remains of settlements from the early Bronze Age near Anyang in Henan Province, which were discovered in 1928, as a capital of the Xia interpreted, some researchers see this dynasty, therefore, in the Erlitou culture settled. Were mainly in the 1960s and 1970s in the area should include the historical traditions according to the dominion of the Xia, discovered and excavated, which point to the existence of a unitary state several Bronze Age settlements and burial. Since no written documents have been left behind by the Xia period, the interpretation of the excavations remains difficult in terms of the existence of a central government.

Territory

According to the description in ancient texts, the territory of the Xia ranged eastward to the borders between the modern provinces of Henan, Hebei and Shandong, south to Hubei, west to the southern part of Henan and north to Hebei. It focused on the middle reaches of the Yellow River and handed in part to the Yangtze River. Their capital was moved several times, at least one of the described locations in the vicinity of the city of Anyang in Henan Province can be considered as a relatively large, contemporary settlement.

Society

It is probably in the Xia Dynasty to a tribal confederation under the leadership of a royal family. So there was the social development between early loose tribal confederation with varying leader and later centralized state.

About life, the organization, the daily running of the people of that time is yet unknown. The ancient written records are limited to lists of events in the royal house. The evaluations of the excavations are not yet very far advanced.

Technology

Agriculture has been operated for Xia - time intensive. According to legend, were brewed at this time alcoholic beverages. To increase the production of agriculture, the first calendars were made. In ancient texts, the origin of the traditional Chinese calendar was attributed to the nature of the Xia calendar time.

Was also operated livestock. Supposedly horse breeding was attached particular importance.

There were probably already differentiated trades for the clay and bronze working.

History

The following outline of events comes as mentioned above from documents that have emerged only much later, their accuracy should be checked any more.

The founder of the Xia dynasty was King Yu. The royal title was not passed before dynastic Yu. The new king was appointed by the old king and confirmed by the tribes. King Yu distinguished himself by fighting a great flood and gained the trust of the old King Shun and the tribes. After Yu's death, however, his son Qǐ had himself proclaimed king, so the old recommendation system abrogated. This aroused the resistance of the tribes, the Qǐ but could strike militarily. Then he let the tribal rulers were gathered to confirm his new dynastic system.

After Qi's death, his son Taikang king was. Since Taikang lived a luxurious life and the neglected state business, it its royal title of his five brothers has been disputed. Finally, his brother Zhong Kang won the title for themselves. (There are also sources which concludes Zhong Kang was a son Tài Kang. ) The fight between the brothers, however, had the Xia - house weakened so that Zhong Xiang Kang's son was deposed by a usurper. Only Xiang's son Shǎo Kang was able to crush the rebellion and restore the dynasty. Shǎo Kang's son Zhu was able to successfully and permanently strengthen the dynasty again. At the end of the dynasty, however, from King Kǒng Jiǎ, the dynasty was again weakened by internal struggles.

The last Xia King Jie was described as particularly brutal. His tyranny deprived of the Xia Dynasty all the support from the population and the tribes, so that the leader could pull Tang of Shang tribe in a rebellion and so the Xia Dynasty ended. To date, the name Jie is true in China as a synonym for despotism and tyranny.

Ruler of the Xia Dynasty

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