GB Times - The Shang tribe originated from the middle and lower parts of the Yellow River, and it was near the end of the Xia Dynasty that the Shang began to rise. The Shang leader, Tang, seeing the crisis in the Xia, decided to subdue and conquer several small Xia domains in the east.

As we saw in our story on the Xia Dynasty, Tang defeated Jie in the final battle – fought in the area of present-day Kaifeng, in the province of Henan.

It was around 1600 BCE that Tang succeeded in overthrowing the Xia, establishing the Shang Dynasty. It is believed that the capital of the empire was Bo (present-day Shangqiu). However, there are other suggestions, claiming that it was Xibo, which is known as Yanshi today.

The Moving Capital

The first years of the Shang Dynasty were particularly shaky. It is perhaps telling of the political instability that the Tang had to move the capital of Shang not once but five times.

When Pangeng became ruler, he moved the Shang capital to Yin (present-day Anyang, Henan province). This took place in about 1300 BCE and the capital remained there until the end of the Dynasty, more than two centuries later. After Yin became the capital of the Shang Dynasty, the Dynasty itself was called Yin.

Both politically and economically, the move to Yin was a success. When Wu Ding came to power, the Dynasty enjoyed great progress and a series of campaigns against nearby enemies expanded the territory controlled by the Shang/Yin Dynasty.

Wu Ding died in the 59th year of his rule, based on the texts of later historians. He left behind a well-developed state, but his successors were sadly not as successful.

Decline and Fall

With Wu Ding out of the picture, the Yin Dynasty began to decline. The last in a series of lackluster rulers – most mentioned only by name, perhaps as a sign of their ineptitude – was Emperor Xin.

Legends say that he began his rule in style, being both intelligent and strong. However, later, he plunged into the usual debauchery reserved for heads of state. Sex, drugs and rock and roll… or, in Xin's case, sex and drinking and immorality, leading him to ignore the business of the state.

An infamous example of his decadent behavior is his “Wine Pool and Meat Forest” (酒池肉林). It is said that Xin had ordered the construction of a very large pool, where several canoes could fit. The pool would be filled with alcohol, and a small island was also constructed in the middle. Trees were placed on the island and their branches were made from roasted meat skewers.

Xin, his friends and concubines would sit in canoes and relax. When they were thirsty, they would drink wine from the "lake" with their hands. When they were hungry, they would reach for the meat from the "trees".

With a lifestyle like this, it was necessary to impose very heavy taxes, which resulted in social unrest. Seizing the opportunity, small domains began to break away from the Yin rule, joining forces with the emerging Zhou tribe. Ultimately, Xin was defeated by the Zhou and committed suicide. The year was 1046 BCE, and the Shang/Yin Dynasty had come to an end.