Bronze inscriptions from the Western Zhou period often mention the granting of weapons,which typically represents rewards from the superiors to the subordinates,usually because the recipient's duties have the"rongchen"military attributes.These"rongchen military officials"varied in rank,and the weapons they received were of different levels too.The highest-ranking individuals,such as feudal lords and some senior military and political officials of the royal court,were awarded ceremonial weapons like yue axes or red bows and arrows.Next in line were general military officers and noble participants in warfare,who received weapons such as decorated daggers with diaozi,goubi staffs,or tongrui red tassels.Another group comprised household retainers or minor clan leaders responsible for protecting their major lineages or families.The phenomenon of granting weapons can serve as a basis for determining the official duties and rank of nobles of the time.
Western Zhoubronze inscriptionsweapon grantingmilitary officialsrank
万方数据
维普
