A New Theory on the Gift of Cattle Wine in Han Dynasty
Upon Emperor Wendi's accession to the throne,he began to confer noble titles and cattle wine on civilians to enhance the imperial power.A drinking ceremony was held during the conferment to testify the establishment the new hierarchical order.During the reign of Emperor Wudi of Han Dynasty,the number of livestock and the pasture area has greatly expanded through rai-ding and conquering the neighboring Huns and other barbarian tribes,which brought unique conditions for the development of an-imal husbandry in Han Dynasty.Initially,these trophy animals were likely to bring about a problem of large-scale livestock ag-ing.To solve this problem,the rulers resorted to frequent cattle wine granting.Later,Wang Mang,who usurped the throne from Han,changed the practice by granting people sheep wine instead to show his difference from the Han emperors.Starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty,however,with the change of social conditions,the rulers no longer had the ability to carry out frequent and large-scale cattle wine gifting.
Han Dynastycattle winedrinking ceremonyconferEmperor Wendi of Han DynastyWang Mang
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
