The Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), founded by emperor Gaozou, was a period of many social, economic and political changes. Its society was highly structured, with each layer of its pyramid clearly defined.
At the top of the pyramid was the emperor, nearly unreachable. He was followed by the aristocrats and bureaucrats. The middle class was composed of skilled workers, like farmers, artisans, and craftsmen. The lower class was the servants and slaves. Slaves represented only about 1% of the entire population. Merchants were also at the bottom of the pyramid.
This order reflects Confucianism values as it consists of moral uprightness, social order, and filial responsibility. In its beliefs, it was emphasized that each person has a role. Social harmony was very important within Confucianism, and that was put into practice by giving everyone its proper place. Confucianism was also reflected in the patriarchal system at the time, as it made clear that women should be subordinate to men, with a strict role.
