英文摘要 |
Previous studies on the procedures for designating successors for high-level official positions in the Shang court have been exclusively based on received classical texts. Rivaling theories exist, yet none of them are particularly convincing. This paper suggests that position titles that adhere to the formula ''marker+ kinship term+ ri(sun) +Heavenly Stem'' may help us to decipher the procedures for designating successors for official positions held by members of the Shang royal house and other elite. Examples of this formulaic title include Dazu Ri-ji 大且日己, Xiaozu Yi 小且乙, Xiaozu 小且, Dafu Ri-gui 大父日癸, Zhongfu Ri-gui 中父日癸, Xiaofu 小父, Daxiong Ri-yi 大兄日乙, Xiaoxiong 小兄, Dazi Ding 大子丁, Zhongzi Xin 中子辛, Dazi 大子, Zhongzi 中子, and Xiaozi 小子. Distinguishing markers that denote the order of succession with preference given to those of higher rank (Da 大, Zhong 中, Xiao 小) may be found in the reigning names of Shang kings such as Da Yi 大乙, Zhong Ding 中丁, and Xiao Xin 小辛, as well as others who did not inherit the throne, such as Zhong Ji 中己, Xiao Ding 小丁, Xiao Ji 小己, and Xiao Geng 小庚. Some women were also designated with this type of formulaic titles as seen; instances of this use may be found in the oracle bone inscriptions, for example Zhongbi 中匕, Xiaobi Ji 小匕己, Zhongmu 中母, Zhongmu Ji 中母己, Xiaomu 小母, Xiaomu Jia 小母甲 and Zhongfu 中婦 and also in bronze inscriptions, as in the case of Xiaofu 小婦. As we know, the Shang Dynasty was a patriarchal society and thus women did not inherit throne in every circumstance. That these distinguishing markers may also be found in the titles of female elite suggests that women play a key role in the transfer of priority appointment to positions. |