Xia Dynasty

(about 2070 BC to about 1600 BC) The Xia Dynasty was the first dynasty in China from the 2nd1century BC to the 7th century BC. It marks the basic end of tens of thousands of years of primitive society in China and the beginning of thousands of years of class society. Its birth became an important milestone in the history of China civilization. The Xia dynasty had 14 generations 17 kings, which lasted nearly 500 years. There is no exact statement about the lineage of the Xia Dynasty, but it is a family statement. )

BC 1600 to BC 1046. Shang Dynasty is the second hereditary dynasty in China history after Xia Dynasty. Shang Tang destroyed Xia Hou, made Shangqiu its capital, and established Shang Dynasty in Shangqiu. Shangqiu was the capital of Shang Dynasty six times since Shang Tang. From Taiyi (Tang) to (Zhou), Anyang has experienced a history of nearly 600 years.

The chronology of Aegean civilization is based on the comparison with Egyptian cultural relics of known dynasties, which stems from the similarity between the early Minoan vessels and the vessels of the first dynasty in ancient Egypt in 3 100 BC. Other remains of Knossos are similar to the 12 dynasty in 1900.

A diorite figurine was found in the central courtyard of Knossos Palace, and its style and sculpture of the 13th Dynasty are worth mentioning. A relief of Khyan, a "shepherd king", was also found here. He is usually regarded as 1650.

Scarabs and other Egyptian objects found in Mycenae, assus and Vaphio located them in the 18th Dynasty (about 1600- 1400 BC). In Egypt, the images painted on the tribute vessels of Rafti (a vassal country of Egypt) with Aegean style are similar to those on Crete murals and gems in dress and hairstyle, and continue to be displayed in subsequent dynasties, such as the tomb of Rekmara in Thebes.

In Minos, the late ships were found together with the cultural relics of the 18 dynasty. In the Aegean Sea, there is also evidence of the great influence of the Egyptian style that began in this dynasty, such as Mycenae daggers, murals and other objects depicting the Nile scene.

It is difficult to determine the end time of Aegean civilization. It was not until around 1000 BC that iron was used to make weapons in the Aegean region, which may be consistent with the Dorian invasion in the memory of the Greeks in the classical period, that is, the invasion of the northern nationalities. The invasion did not immediately destroy the Aegean civilization, at least in the southern region. But in the end, it destroyed the palace of Northos, which led to the geometric period. At this point, the history of Aegean civilization can really be said to be over.

Judging from the shape of the skull excavated in archaeology, from the distant Neolithic Age, a Mediterranean people close to the North African race settled in the Aegean Sea except Crete. The independence and rich natural products of the latter have been well preserved until the first 4000 years.

However, it roughly corresponds to the eleventh and twelfth dynasties of Egypt (2,500 years ago? ) period, Crete developed a certain civilization. Originally a small tribe scattered in the center of the island, it later evolved into a powerful monarchy: Minoan civilization with Knossos as its capital. Its king, perhaps the high priest of nature worship at that time, ordered the construction of a magnificent stone palace. He also accepted tributes from weak tribes, such as Prince Festus, who ruled Messala. The monarch of Minos had maritime ties with Egypt and sent his goods to various areas in the southern Aegean Sea, such as Milos and Cyprus in the early period of Felaco's second city. In exchange, accept Milos Obsidian Knife and other items. In addition, they developed a graphic writing system in the early days, but only some inscriptions left on durable objects were preserved. The original painting style on ceramic objects or gypsum is more and more fine, and it can be inferred from the shape of pottery that they also have superb metallurgical technology.

Neither Knossos nor Firth found fortifications, so it is speculated that Crete is peaceful and quiet, with no internal and external troubles. In the east of the island, some small settlements near the capital were found, which controlled the local wealth and supported the maritime trade. Both Gournilhat and Palecastro undertook these two tasks. Zakros is the local political center, which may have been originally built for commercial purposes as the starting point of African trade routes. This rule reached its peak about 3000 years ago, and then experienced a definite but not significant decline.

At the same time, some early nations developed their own civilizations in other places with better conditions in the Aegean region, mainly those connected with early maritime trade routes, such as Tirins and Salik. Naturally, these civilizations were influenced by the more advanced Minoan civilization to varying degrees with the distance from Crete. For example, Salik in early Greece showed more external (that is, Asian) influence than Milos, while Crete had less influence. At the same time, the interior of Greece is still an uncivilized area.

500 years later, that is, about 1600 years ago, some kind of mutation occurred. Suddenly, the cultural relics in the whole area showed amazing consistency. The development of local pottery almost stopped, replaced by a unified manufacturing and decoration style in various regions. Crete people got rid of the previous decline and embarked on the road of stable development again. They developed a more convenient and expressive writing system in stages, which was fully displayed at the Sany site. The art of the whole region presents a unified spirit and mode, and they show the same anthropomorphic style and the same sacrificial utensils in religion. Articles produced in one place can also be found in other places. The influence of the Aegean region is deepening and spreading in all directions. For example, trade with Egypt has developed greatly. Aegean sea objects and their imitations can be found in Syria, the interior of Asia Minor and the central and western Mediterranean: Sicily, Sardinia and Spain. There is no doubt that at that time, a powerful force had developed steadily in the central Aegean Sea, and the whole region was under its political, social and artistic influence.

This unit is located in Crete, but it is constantly encouraged by the fresh blood in the north. This supplement is enough to arouse the fresh elements in civilization, but it is not enough to fundamentally change the essence of civilization.

The owner of Crete is short-lived. Shortly after 1500 BC, the tranquility of the island was destroyed, and the palace of Knossos (at least on the Greek mainland and coastal islands) caused an irreparable blow to Crete art. Like their pioneers, they were politically dominant, but they accepted the influence of the conquered in the cultural destruction. We are not sure who these invaders are, but they are probably from the north and the ancestors of later generations of "Greeks". Under their rule, peace was restored. Although the quality of artistic products declined, it flourished again among the ruled people. The northern part of Knossos Palace was reoccupied by the invading tribal chiefs, leaving a large number of rich tombs. Commercial activities may resume, because even if the quality declines, Aegean products are more consistent and extensive than before.

Disaster finally came about 950 years ago, and the palace of Knossos was destroyed again, and this time it was never used again. Iron replaced bronze, and Aegean art, together with Crete characters, disappeared in mainland Greece and islands including Crete. There is reason to believe that in Cyprus and possibly on the southwest coast of Anatolia, this disaster has not completely destroyed the original civilization, and the Aegean civilization has cut off contact with its roots here and continues to exist. In other places, the remaining lifeless geometric art facilities reflect the shadow of the late Aegean civilization, which was already in its heyday. Similarly, simpler cremation replaced burial.

This catastrophe has cleared the way for the new development of local art, which may stem from another invasion by northern tribes, who are more savage than their predecessors and equipped with more advanced iron weapons. These tribes, the so-called "Dorians", are well known to Homer and later Greek traditions. They smashed a firmly established civilization, which made Aegean's artistic spirit spend two or three centuries, and it may reappear through the artistic essence remaining in Aegean's national character. In the process of this conquest, the whole region seems to have experienced long-term turmoil and population migration. The migration of Ionians and the "colonization" of Ionia and doria remain in Greek memory. When we clearly see the Aegean region as a whole again, it has been occupied by the Greeks, but it has not completely lost the imprint of early culture.