Ancient China Shang and Zhou Dynasties - WHI

This is an excerpt from a news article reporting on archaeological work on the pyramids of Giza. Katarina Kratovac, “New Discovery Shows Slaves Didn’t Build Pyramids, Egypt Says,” Associated Press, January 11, 2010.

The ancient Greek historian Herodotus once described the pyramid builders as slaves, creating what Egyptologists say is a myth later continued by Hollywood films. ... One popular myth that Egyptologists say was perpetrated in part by Hollywood movies held that ancient Israelite slaves—ancestors of the Jewish people—built the pyramids.

Amihai Mazar, professor at the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, says that myth stemmed from a mistaken claim by a former Israeli prime minister. ... “No Jews built the pyramids because Jews didn’t exist at the period when the pyramids were built,” Professor Mazar says. ...

This is an excerpt from a news article reporting on archaeological work on the pyramids of Giza. Katarina Kratovac, “New Discovery Shows Slaves Didn’t Build Pyramids, Egypt Says,” Associated Press, January 11, 2010.

The pyramid builders came from poor Egyptian families from the north and the south and were respected for their work – so much so that those who died during construction were bestowed the honor of being buried in the tombs near the sacred pyramids of their pharaohs. ...

Though they were not slaves, the pyramid builders led a life of hard labor, said Adel Okasha, supervisor of the excavation. Their skeletons have signs of arthritis. ... “Their bones tell us the story of how hard they worked,” Okasha said.

Multiple Choice

According to this document, did enslaved people build the pyramids?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Select

What evidence does this source use to support its claim?

• One

  popular myth that Egyptologists say was perpetrated in part by Hollywood movies held that ancient Israelite slaves—ancestors of the Jewish people—built the pyramids.

• “No Jews built the pyramids because Jews didn’t exist at the period when

  the pyramids were built,”

• The pyramid builders led a life of hard labor, said Adel

  Okasha, supervisor of the excavation. Their skeletons have signs of arthritis. ...

• The pyramid builders came from poor Egyptian families from the north and the south

  and were respected for their work

Poll

Do you find this evidence convincing?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Which dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great?

• Shang Dynasty

• Zhou Dynasty

• Xia Dynasty

• Han Dynasty

Multiple Choice

What is the significance of the "Mandate of Heaven" in the context of the Dynastic Cycle?

• It justifies the ruling dynasty's authority

• It is a religious belief

• It is a historical event

• It has no relevance

Multiple Choice

What are the characteristics of a New Dynasty according to the Dynastic Cycle?

• Brings peace

• High taxes

• Infrastructure decays

• People treated unfairly

Multiple Choice

How do you think the concept of the Mandate of Heaven influences leaders today?

• Emphasizing the need for just governance and public support to maintain legitimacy.

• Leaders are expected to rule without any accountability to the public.
• The Mandate of Heaven has no relevance in modern governance.
• Leaders today are chosen based on their wealth and power.

Multiple Select

What are the key principles of Confucianism?

• Social order and good government

• Filial piety

• Five relationships

• Ends justify the means

Multiple Select

What are the important concepts of Daoism?

• Wu wei

• Yin and yang

• Meditation

• Rituals

Multiple Choice

What is the main idea behind Legalism?

• People are inherently good

• People are selfish and immoral

• Government should have no power

• Laws should be lenient

Multiple Select

What are the main ideas of Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism?

• People should honor their families and serve their communities to ensure social harmony.

• People should live simply, with patience and compassion to follow the way of the universe.

• People are immoral and harsh laws are needed to control society.

• People are all created equal and all should have the opportunity to participate in the government.

Multiple Choice

The period of time people waited for order to be restored, was called

• Period of River Flooding

• Period of Daoism

• Period of Warring States

• Period of Terracotta Army

Multiple Choice

During the Warring States period (403-221 BC), what was China missing?

• A King

• Unity

• Food

• Trade

Multiple Choice

Which of the following refers to the virtue of respect for one's parents, elders, and ancestors?

• Love
• Filial Piety
• Monasticism
• Shamanism