AncientChina

By :Gary

Background

• In 206 BC a new dynasty begin in China, called the Han Dynasty.

• The Han Dynasty had a strong economy.

• They used money instead of barter.

• They were excellent engineers.

• They sailed all over Asia and made maps.

• The government had a lot of control of the country.

Map

The Han Dynasty was

from 206 BC—220 AD.

Here is a map of the Han

Dynasty.

Social Structure

• The person at the top social system was the Emperor. He had all the power.

• There were twenty social ranks.

• The main ranks were Nobility, Farmers and Merchants.

• Merchants had the lowest social positions.

Housing

• Farmers lived in mud houses with thatched roofs.

• Richer people lived mostly in wood house but there were some brick houses.

Food

• The main foods were rice, millet and beans.

• Fish, duck, chicken and other meats were eaten.

• Beer and wine were also drunk.

• Many fruits were eaten.

Family Life

• Men ran the family in Han society.

• Most marriages were arranged by parents.

• Most men had only one wife.

• Only sons could get money when the father died.

• Divorce was possible.

Marriage

• Marriages were arranged by the groom’s family

• Men only had one wife but some rich people had more than one.

• Women had to obey their husbands.

• Wives worked in the home and made clothes for their husbands and children.

• Men worked outside the home.

Childhood

•Children had to obey their parents

•Only rich children went to school

•Most boys married at age 16, girls are 13-15

•For most children, as soon as they could take care of themselves, they work with their parents on the farm.

Art

• Art in Han Dynasty was highly developed

• Painting was excellent

• Work in Jade was beautiful

• Pottery, weaving and metal work were all highly advanced.

Clothing

• The wealthy people have silk robes, skirts and pearls.

• But if they are not wealthy then they won’t have enough clothing to have.

Religion

• The people of the Han Dynasty made animal sacrifices to the gods.

• The Emperor was the religious leader of China

• People thought if the Emperor was bad, many bad things would happen like earthquakes.

• Buddhism got to China in 65 CE.

Conclusion

• Han Dynasty Culture was very great

• There was good government

• The economy expanded

• Families and society were stable

• Han Dynasty art is still thought to be excellent.

URL

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Han_map.jpg

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CMOC_Treasures_of_Ancient_China_exhibit_-_fragment_of_Xiping_stone_classics.jpg

• http://www.trocadero.com/brianpage/items/991502/en2store.html

• http://kaleidoscope.cultural-china.com/en/8Kaleidoscope6770.html