Daily Life & Social Structure
Depending on who you are in ancient China, your life will be very different. Let’s take a journey back to ancient China to see just what daily life was like in this ancient civilization!
King’s Clan
This is the top of the social structure, consisting of the king and his relatives.
These were the rulers of ancient China.
This is the top of the social structure, consisting of the king and his relatives.
These were the rulers of ancient China.
Nobles
Luxury surrounded the nobles' lives daily, allowing them to live in beautiful palaces and enjoy numerous activities, such as hunting. This social class participated in the army for the king, providing fighters such as foot soldiers, weapons, and chariots. The king did not interfere with their control over the land in exchange for this participation. Symbols of power, such as jade discs, were given to the nobles.
Luxury surrounded the nobles' lives daily, allowing them to live in beautiful palaces and enjoy numerous activities, such as hunting. This social class participated in the army for the king, providing fighters such as foot soldiers, weapons, and chariots. The king did not interfere with their control over the land in exchange for this participation. Symbols of power, such as jade discs, were given to the nobles.
Craftspeople
This is the next social class from the nobles and consisted of a fairly small group, however included very important people. These people were highly skilled and took part in jobs such as bronze and jade workers, potters, and stonemasons. Weapons were made by the bronze workers, making them them highly valued. For religious ceremonies and symbols of their power, bronze workers also made decorated containers. These containers were given to the king and nobles of this civilization.
This is the next social class from the nobles and consisted of a fairly small group, however included very important people. These people were highly skilled and took part in jobs such as bronze and jade workers, potters, and stonemasons. Weapons were made by the bronze workers, making them them highly valued. For religious ceremonies and symbols of their power, bronze workers also made decorated containers. These containers were given to the king and nobles of this civilization.
Traders
The traders in ancient Chinese society were below the nobles, like the craftspeople, but also above the farmers and slaves. Scholars know that these people traded a whole lot, hence their name. These people mostly traded goods, but they also used cowrie shells to substitute for money. These seashells were rare because they had to be traded for from other regions to get them.
The traders in ancient Chinese society were below the nobles, like the craftspeople, but also above the farmers and slaves. Scholars know that these people traded a whole lot, hence their name. These people mostly traded goods, but they also used cowrie shells to substitute for money. These seashells were rare because they had to be traded for from other regions to get them.
Farmers
Working on small plots of lands, these farmers created the largest social class within a Chinese society called the Shang. Rice, millet, wheat, barley, nuts, fruits, and vegetables were grown by the farmers on plots of land, yet they did not own this land. Either a noble or a king controlled the land, and farmers were only allowed to keep enough food to feed their family and themselves! Simple tools, made of wood and steel, were used to farm. For example, farmers dug with wooden sticks. They also had stone-tipped hoes, which helped with weeding. Plus, stone knives and scythes were used to harvest grain. Cattle was raised by the farmers, as well as pigs and chickens.
Working on small plots of lands, these farmers created the largest social class within a Chinese society called the Shang. Rice, millet, wheat, barley, nuts, fruits, and vegetables were grown by the farmers on plots of land, yet they did not own this land. Either a noble or a king controlled the land, and farmers were only allowed to keep enough food to feed their family and themselves! Simple tools, made of wood and steel, were used to farm. For example, farmers dug with wooden sticks. They also had stone-tipped hoes, which helped with weeding. Plus, stone knives and scythes were used to harvest grain. Cattle was raised by the farmers, as well as pigs and chickens.
Slaves
Tombs and palaces were built by the lowest class: the slaves. So they could serve their masters in the afterlife, they may even be sacrificed when their master perished. This lifestyle was often given to people captured in wars.
Tombs and palaces were built by the lowest class: the slaves. So they could serve their masters in the afterlife, they may even be sacrificed when their master perished. This lifestyle was often given to people captured in wars.