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Ancient Chinese Hierarchy ~ task 2
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Ancient Chinese
HIERARCHY
MERCHANTS
The Social Structure
PEASANTS
NOBLES
The Social order was very important in ancient China. They believed in strict social groups and people were expected to act according to their social position. This belief was further strengthened by the Chinese philosopher, Confucius, who taught that a strict social order was the key to a successful society.
SOCIAL STRUCTURE
OFFICIALS
EMPEROR
EMPEROR AND IMPERIAL FAMILY
The emperor and his family were at the top of the hierarchy in ancient China. He ruled from a large palace centred in the capital city. Emperors back then believed they were appointed by heaven therefore didn't need to obey humans nor his family memebers and pupils. Nonetheless, the emperor expected for his subjects to be humble and dutiful for him. It was common for an emperor to have many wives to expand his chances of getting a son. Once he chose the son who was going to take over his role as emepror, the mother would become the empress. She was then able to grant favours for her family often being sections of land.
It was common for an emperor to have many wives
This is emperor Qin, the first ancient Chinese emperor
Statue of emperor Qin
THE NOBLES
The noble class in Ancient China were very privileged. The nobles were basically the extended family of the emperor, empress, and those people who excelled in the fields, mainly in the military. The ranking of the nobles changed frequently depending on who gained or dropped out of favour of the emperor. When a new emperor came into power, he chose a new group of nobles. Nobles often became landowners and gathered taxes to those who lived on the land which meant that they got wealthier. They had to offer some of the money they collected to the emperor, and in return, he gave them more privilege and protection. Many nobles lived in large homes and wore expensive clothing and jewelry. For sport, the nobles hunted wild animals. If any of the nobles commited a crime, they were sentenced to death. Although, the emperor could grant them a favour in allowing them to commit suicide which was a much honourable death.
THE OFFICIALS
The officials were another group that had high importance in the social group. The officials were too ordered in ranks. The two most senior officials acted as advisors for the emperor. Most of the officials lived comforatble lives and were well-respected due to their position and their education.
Young boys whose families could afford for them to go to school, started their education at an early age in order to become an official. They had to pass a difficult exam as well. If they weren't able to pass the test however, they were still able to get a job from being educated so well.
These are what officials looked liked
ARTISANS
ARTISANS
Artisans included painters, carpenters, jewerlly makers and potters. The artisans earned more than the peasants but less than the merchants. This was because of the respect they were given for their skills. Metalworkers became very popular during the Han period. They gradually learnt how to work with metal moulds rather than shaping the metal while still very hot. They made many weapons and useful everyday objects such as cooking pots. The weavers worked with silk which was a very valubale type of material that was popular for many uses like making kites etc.
Here is some of the pottery that the artisans made
MERCHANTS
People believed that merchants contributed no good for the rest of society but only worked for their own gain. People in the merchant class included money lenders, animal breeders and traders. Putting aside the fact that they were at the bottom of the hierarchy, some merchants were successful and lived luxurious lives being wealthy. Some merchants were so rich that they were considered a threat to the emperor and nobles. For them to limit their wealth, they had certain restrictions against them. These included more taxes and being sent away to join the military. The richest merchants kept their wealth by owining land. Some merchants however weren't as wealthy and lived simple lives as shopkeepers.
Merchants had a low social staus in ancient China
PEASANTS
Although the farmers were seen to be at the bottom of the social order, they were still considered as important people as they produced food for the rest of the people. Many of the peasants were poor and lived simple lives. The men that worked out in the fields worked in harsh conditions and worked everyday never having a day-off. A few women worked in the fields although their main job was sticking to the housework. They worked all year from hot summers to cold winters. With the harsh weather, many crops were ruined as well as their land. This was tragic for the poor families if the crops were ruined as they had very little to survive in the winter. Even the poorest of peasants had to pay taxes even though their crops weren't successful which meant they too had very little to eat during the winter.
Majority of people in ancient China worked as peasant farmers
SLAVES
SLAVES
Slaves did exist in ancient China although there were very little of them that made up the population. Some of the slaves were related to criminals while other people sold themselves or their children as slaves if they were extremely poor.
Slaves working on the Great Wall of China during the Qin dynasty