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Emperor

Ruler

Nobles

Shi

Peasants

Nong

Artisans

Gong

Merchants

Shang

Slaves

Servants

1

2

3

6

and his family were at the top of the Hierarchy in ancient China and ruled from a palace in the capital city.

He was known as a mediator between the earthly and heavenly realms, and his roles were numerous: magistrate, judge, scholar, family patriarch and supreme military commander.

They believed that they were appointed by heaven and therefore did not need to obey humans.

were respected by everyone because they could read & write. They were typically the extended family of the emperor and empress and those people that excelled in their fields, particularly in the military.

They worked directly for the emperor, helping them make decisions relating to the maintaining power and protecting the emperor due to their wisdom. They were never very rich, but they were respected because of their knowledge.

If they committed a crime for which they were sentenced to death, the emperor could grant them a special favour that would allow them to commit suicide, which was considered a much more honourable death.

were one of the lowest social classes, however they were still considered important as they produced the food that sustained the society.

The men worked in the fields and had to endure harsh conditions, while the women also worked in the fields but were primarily confined to the household to sew and weave. By weaving and sewing cloth, women could provide clothes for the family and sell any surplus to earn more money.

Even if their crops had not been successful & were low in money, this class was still required to pay tax. This often left many families with very little to eat during the winter months.

were part of the commoner class and included painters, carpenters, potters and jewellery makers.

They used their skills to make things that people needed (weapons, tools, & cooking utensils). They did not have a high social status but were respected for their skills.

One misunderstanding many people have about this social group is that they picture them as "workers" in the modern sense: employed by someone. The most influential group among this class were the masters, the business owners.

created nothing, yet grew rich by trading goods. This class included traders, animal breeders and money lenders. As they did not contribute to the good of the whole society but only worked for their own gain, they were considered low in the social hierarchy.

Some, including shopkeepers did not make a lot of money & lived very simple lives. However, some became very wealthy and lived in luxury. The richest attained their wealth by investing their money in land.

During the Han dynasty, some became so wealthy that they were considered a threat to the emperor and the nobles. In order to limit their wealth, certain restrictions placed on them. Such restrictions included heavy taxes and being sent away to join the army.

did exist in ancient China, however they made up a very small percentage of the population. They had no freedom, and they had to work hard for their masters. Some were the relatives of criminals while other people sold themselves or their children into this class as they were very poor.

Most worked in the fields with free people. Some worked as servants in rich people’s houses. Some of worked for the government, collecting taxes or building roads.

After their master died, they were killed or buried alive to serve their masters in the underworld.