Xiongnu: A Deadly Neighbour
This reading made me realize that women in the Han Dynasty, were considered possessions and were traded like the merchants traded goods. I found it surprising that they were handed down to the heir of the throne after the previous ruler died. I don’t think that it is fair that the princess had to marry and elderly man who only got to see twice a year. Furthermore, she wasn’t able to see her family and had to eat food that she was not accustomed to. This was all done in order to promote relationships between cities.
Another thing that was done to satisfy a group of people was the gift that the Chinese gave the hostile nomadic tribe. It is kind of sad that the Chinese were so afraid that they had to give away their own goods which they could have been selling for money. They felt threatened and in danger and many people were killed or taken prisoner by the tribe. In order to prevent this they had to make and stand or please them. I suppose providing goods was their solution.
I also find it interesting how brutish the Xiongnu were to the Chinese. They were not afraid to go in, attack the Chinese, who were powerless against them, and take whatever they wanted, including people and lives. They scared the Chinese and didn’t care about the damage they caused.
Learn more about the Xiongnu at:
http://img.chinaa2z.com/uploadpic/AboutChina/20070927/200709271423567556/20_15_4355f40b0157101.jpg
