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Battles decided which ruler took power. At the Battle of Mingtiao, the Shang dynasty took control under Cheng Tang, the first Shang king.

Shang soldiers often went to war with people nearby. They also fought animal herders from the Asian steppes – the grasslands.

Weapons included: ��á�� (spears), ���è (pole-axes), ��ŧ (dagger-axes), bows and helmets.

The first chariots appear at the end of the Shang dynasty, around 1200 BC.

Weapons were made of stone and bronze.

All sorts of people were in the Shang armies: Rich noble leaders, people from the towns, and workers from the country.

The nobility and other state rulers had to equip their local army base with equipment, armour, and weapons.

The Shang king had about a thousand soldiers and would personally lead them into battle.

Armies ranged in size from 3,000 soldiers to 13,000.

The last Shang king, Di Xin, was beaten at the Battle of Muye, by Wu of Zhou, after his army turned against him. The Zhou dynasty lasted for the next 800 years.

King Wu of Zhou led an army of around 50,000 soldiers. Di Xin had 170,000 troops.

At the start of the battle, many of Di’s troops refused to fight for him. They held their spears upside down.

Some of them decided to fight for Di Xin. Others joined Wu instead.

Wu’s troops were better armed and loyal. They beat the Shang troops in a chariot charge, and forced Di Xin to retreat to his palace.

He covered himself in his jewels and burned his palace down, killing himself. It was the end of the Shang dynasty.