Social Structure of Ancient China
Soldiers
The soldiers were also a respected class of the Ancient Chinese hierarchy, they were the defenders of the kingdom; protecting the country from raids and riots, keeping the people in control. Soldiers also had great wealth.
The Shi Class - Nobles
Nobles were well educated, gentry scholars of Imperial China especially prevalent in the Shang and Zhou Dynasty. These people were still relatively well respected in the Ancient Chinese society. Nobles are low-level aristocrats, they were granted certain privileges and held limited power over people, conducting and commanding battles during wars. Nobles were also known for their warrior skills and double edged swords called Jian (剑).
The soldiers were also a respected class of the Ancient Chinese hierarchy, they were the defenders of the kingdom; protecting the country from raids and riots, keeping the people in control. Soldiers also had great wealth.
The Shi Class - Nobles
Nobles were well educated, gentry scholars of Imperial China especially prevalent in the Shang and Zhou Dynasty. These people were still relatively well respected in the Ancient Chinese society. Nobles are low-level aristocrats, they were granted certain privileges and held limited power over people, conducting and commanding battles during wars. Nobles were also known for their warrior skills and double edged swords called Jian (剑).
The Nong Class - Peasant Farmers
Peasant farmers served an important purpose in the Chinese hierarchy: they had to sustain food for not only themselves, but the whole kingdom. Peasant farmers own a patch of land to plant and harvest crops. As farmers, they are usually well-fed and healthy. However, peasant farmers did not have access to the privileges like the Shi class nobles, they often had to work long and hard cultivating and harvesting crops.
Peasant farmers served an important purpose in the Chinese hierarchy: they had to sustain food for not only themselves, but the whole kingdom. Peasant farmers own a patch of land to plant and harvest crops. As farmers, they are usually well-fed and healthy. However, peasant farmers did not have access to the privileges like the Shi class nobles, they often had to work long and hard cultivating and harvesting crops.
The Gong Class
The Gong Class comprised of artisans and craftsmen, they developed goods and merchandise for emperors and other high classes. Artisans and craftsmen was not very respected, they had limited rights and privileges, however, they often had lots of wealth. The Gong Class owned no land, they rented land and paid the owner with crafts and money.
The Gong Class comprised of artisans and craftsmen, they developed goods and merchandise for emperors and other high classes. Artisans and craftsmen was not very respected, they had limited rights and privileges, however, they often had lots of wealth. The Gong Class owned no land, they rented land and paid the owner with crafts and money.
The Shang Class
The Shang Class consisted of merchants, traders, shopkeepers and bankers. This group of people transported and traded goods made from other classes. While the Shang Class had wealth and made good money due to the steady rise in the trade industry, they were not respected in the Ancient Chinese society. The Shang Class traders and merchants owned no land and had no privileges. However, some people of the Shang Class were able to make enough money to climb up the hierarchy ladder into better positions
The Shang Class consisted of merchants, traders, shopkeepers and bankers. This group of people transported and traded goods made from other classes. While the Shang Class had wealth and made good money due to the steady rise in the trade industry, they were not respected in the Ancient Chinese society. The Shang Class traders and merchants owned no land and had no privileges. However, some people of the Shang Class were able to make enough money to climb up the hierarchy ladder into better positions
Slaves
The slaves were the lowest class of the Chinese social hierarchy, they lived a very sad, gruesome life. Like peasants, slaves often worked out on the fields, planting and harvesting crops. However, the people of this class were owned by masters, so they had no rights and were severely underfed. Slaves were often killed as sacrifice for ceremonies and funerals. These people almost never moved up the hierarchy pyramid, working to the end of their lives.The life expectancy rate of a slave is around 30-40 years.
The slaves were the lowest class of the Chinese social hierarchy, they lived a very sad, gruesome life. Like peasants, slaves often worked out on the fields, planting and harvesting crops. However, the people of this class were owned by masters, so they had no rights and were severely underfed. Slaves were often killed as sacrifice for ceremonies and funerals. These people almost never moved up the hierarchy pyramid, working to the end of their lives.The life expectancy rate of a slave is around 30-40 years.