The leaders of early Chinese society were continually carrying on territorial feuds with one another, or waging fierce campaigns against neighboring barbarians. Equipped with bronze helmets, daggers, spears and axes, these ancient knights rode forth in chariots lavishly decorated with bronze fittings. Each vehicle was manned by a driver, a spearman and an archer. Behind the chariots came the foot soldiers; they were almost invariably
Peasants who had been forced to leave their fields.
Ancient annals recorded the deeds of chivalry performed by knights, but folk songs more realistically bemoaned the lot of the peasant. One song wistfully lamented: "Long ago, when we started, the willows spread their shade. Now that we turn back the snowflakes fly. The march before us is long, we are thirsty and hungry, our hearts are stricken with sorrow but no one listens to our plaint."
A FILIGREED DAGGER, probably used for ceremonial purposes, is shown against the silhouette of an ax. Once attached to a handle so that it could be swung, the weapon is pitted from oxidation.
A FANGED DRAGON, Curling ferociously, was probably an emblem adorning the war chariot of a lord. The open end of the figure may have held the tip of a pole bearing the owner's standard
SHAPED LIKE A RAM. this lamp had a hinged back that swung over on the head, forming a bowl that held oil and a wick. In all probability, the small, ornamental
World History
