Page:A Short History of the World.djvu/121

 Egypt, Babylon and Assyria lOI THE TEMPLE OF HOKUS AT EDFU dynasty, priest emperors over a loose-knit empire of subordinate kings. The chief duty of these early emperors was to perform the seasonal sacrifices. Beautiful bronze vessels from the time of the Shang dynasty still exist, and their beauty and workmanship compel us to recognize that many centuries of civilization must have preceded their manufacture.