Watch: The Shang army
Narrator: The Shang military was a powerful highly organised machine.
Most of the warriors were foot soldiers armed with bronze weapons such as daggers, spears and ji, a long stick with a bronze spear on the end.
Warrior: Charge!
Narrator: Next came the archers who could attack their enemies from a great distance.
Archer: Ready, aim, fire!
Narrator: They were an important part of any battle and would probably have stood behind the foot soldiers who would protect them.
Most deadly of all were the war chariots.
Fast and powerful, these were the most advanced of all the Shang military equipment.
Warrior: Faster, faster!
Narrator: Pulled by horses, they would have a driver to steer, a soldier to attack at close range and an archer.
Battles would be terrifying. There were almost no rules and hardly any medical treatment available to the wounded.
King: We’ve won, take the survivors as prisoners.
Narrator: The Shang people fought others dynasties competing for territory, resources and glory.
What were battles like?
Battles decided which ruler took power. At the Battle of Mingtiao, the Shang dynasty took control under Cheng Tang, the first Shang king.
Shang soldiers often went to war with people nearby. They also fought animal herders from the Asian steppes – the grasslands.
What weapons did the Shang army use?
Weapons included: máo (spears), yuè (pole-axes), gē (dagger-axes), bows and helmets.
The first chariots appear at the end of the Shang dynasty, around 1200 BC.
Weapons were made of stone and bronze.
Who fought in battles?
All sorts of people were in the Shang armies: Rich noble leaders, people from the towns, and workers from the country.
The nobility and other state rulers had to equip their local army base with equipment, armour, and weapons.
The Shang king had about a thousand soldiers and would personally lead them into battle.
Armies ranged in size from 3,000 soldiers to 13,000.
What happened at the Battle of Muye?
The last Shang king, Di Xin, was beaten at the Battle of Muye, by Wu of Zhou, after his army turned against him. The Zhou dynasty lasted for the next 800 years.
King Wu of Zhou led an army of around 50,000 soldiers. Di Xin had 170,000 troops.
At the start of the battle, many of Di’s troops refused to fight for him. They held their spears upside down.
Some of them decided to fight for Di Xin. Others joined Wu instead.
Wu’s troops were better armed and loyal. They beat the Shang troops in a chariot charge, and forced Di Xin to retreat to his palace.
He covered himself in his jewels and burned his palace down, killing himself. It was the end of the Shang dynasty.
Activities
Activity 1: Name the Shang warriors
Activity 2: Shang army quiz
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