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1600 BCE
Battle of Mingtiao
The Battle of Mingtiao was a battle between the Xia and the Shang. Under the leadership of Chang Tang, the Shang had been gaining the support of neighboring clans as hatred for Xia leader, Jie, increased. When the Shang finally decided to revolt, they met at this battle and the Shang won. This made Chang Tang the first emperor of the Shang Dynasty. -
1600 BCE
The start of the Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty was the earliest Dynasty in China, which can be proven by many amounts of evidence. This Dynasty was known for its development in knowledge like Math, Astronomy, Artwork, and Military Technologies. -
1600 BCE
Bronze Casting in the Shang Dynasty
Because of the many cultural advances in the dynasty, people were able to use bronze. They used bronze to make many things. This also allowed for musical instruments to be made. In Xiao Tun Village of Anyang City, archeologists discovered musical instruments of the Shang Dynasty including Xun (Ocarina made of baked clay), drums, and copper cymbals.
Picture - A Three-legged Wine Heating Vessel -
1600 BCE
Wai Bing; The Second Emperor of the Shang Dynasty
Wai Bing, otherwise known as Bu Bing, was a Shang Dynasty emperor. He was listed by Sima Qian, who was a Chinese historian, as the second Shang King. He succeded his father, Tang, the first emperor of the dynasty.
Picture - The list of emperors on the oracle bone -
1523 BCE
Wo Ding; The fifth emperor of the Shang Dynasty
Wo Ding of Tai Jia, the fourth emperor of the dynasty. He succeeded his father and earned his place on the throne. But recent archaeological evidence has proven that he might have not been a Shang Emperor. Oracle Scripts that were etched on bones had shown that they did not list him as one of the kings. -
1450 BCE
Tai Wu; The 9th Emperor of the Dynasty
In the records made by Sima Qian, it stated that Tai Wu was the 9th Emperor of the Shang Dynasty. He ruled for 75 years, the longest than any emperor has ruled before and after in the Shang Dynasty. He is the younger brother of Yong Ji, the 8th Emperor. -
1400 BCE
The rise of using oracle bones
Oracle bones were used for pyromancy. They were used to answer questions about the future. They use bones from ox scapulae or turtle shells due to their flat surfaces -
1400 BCE
The Beginning of the Chinese Calendar
The people of the Shang Dynasty are believed to have used calendars back in the days, people believed this because they found two oracle bones that stated that they had established a calendar. The Shang Calendar was at first lunar-based, a solar-based calendar was later developed by a man named Wan-Nein Picture - Two Oracle Bones that proved that people used calenders. -
1300 BCE
Pan Geng; The 19th Emperor of the Dynasty
Son of Zu Ding, the 16th Emperor, and the younger brother of Yang Ja, the 18th Emperor. During his reign, the country was prosperous and he moved the capital to Yin (Now known as Anyang). -
1262 BCE
Xiao Xin; The 20th Emperor
Son of Zu Ding and the younger brother of Pan Geng. He was given the role of the emperor by his older brother, Pan Geng. The country declined in his reign. -
1250 BCE
Wu Ding; The 22nd Emperor of the Dynasty
The best emperor after Pan Geng. He enlarged the area of the country through a war. Social productivity developed to a high level, including aspects of textile, medicine, and astronomy. There were great achievements during his reign. He succeeds his father, Xiao Yi of Shang. -
1101 BCE
Di Yi; The 29th Emperor of the Dynasty
Di Yi went after Wen Ding and was later succeeded by the last emperor of the dynasty, Zhou or Di Xin. -
1075 BCE
Zhou/Di Xin; The 30th Emperor of the Dynasty
His father was Di Yi and he was able to get the throne because his father handed over the role of Emperor over to him. The emperor was King Di Xin, was considered a cruel leader who enjoyed torturing many of his people. -
1046 BCE
Battle of Muye, Shang Emperor, defeated by King Wu of Zhou
Because of Di Xin's cruel treatment to his people. This lead to the people wanting him to end his rule. The Zhou army, lead by King Wu, marched on the city. Di Xin armed 200,000 slaves to supplement the army, but they left to the Zhou forces. In what is known as the Battle of Muye, many Shang soldiers refused to fight the Zhou, some even joining the other side. Because of this Di Xin committed suicide by setting fire to his palace. -
1046 BCE
King Wu of Zhou; The First Emperor of Zhou Dynasty
After the Battle of Muye, the Shang Dynasty had ended and the Zhou Dynasty started. That was when King Wu became the first emperor of the Zhou Dynasty.
