This list covers all of the well-recorded Chinese militaries of the Bronze Age and early Iron Age. China comprised a variety of competing states that rose and fell until most were incorporated into the first empire under the Chin Dynasty.

Chinese armies were often a nightmare to command. The disparate quality of fighters, from veteran chariots to guard heavy infantry to the plentiful (and requisite) foot, requires a brave and resourceful commander. There is plenty of scope for novel tactics with this army. It is recommended to read the Sun T’zu’s Art of War and related Chinese treatises. The early (Shang period) armies fought in a ritualistic style similar to the Mycenaean Greeks, while later armies were much more ruthless. Note that head taking was common among the later armies as a way to gain rewards and honours. With cavalry, chariots and foot, this is a three dimensional army. Using the heavy chariots to charge straight up the centre or both flanks, will take the pressure off the foot, best left in defensive positions with defend orders. This is not an army for beginners.

Enemies: Early Chinese, Han Chinese and Early Hu.

More Chariot Armies For Ancient Warfare

Early Hebrew 1250-960 BC
Sea Peoples 1230-1165 BC
Philistine and Later Canaanite 1200-975 BC
Midianite Arabs and Nomadic Camel 1500-650 BC
Aramaean, Phoenician or Cypriot 1200-700 BC
Early Chinese: Shang, Chou, Chin 1700-200 BC
Post Mycenaean Greek 1150-700 BC
Later Babylonian 1500-750 BC
First Temple Hebrews: 960-581 BC
Libyan Egyptian 950-700 BC
Indian 900 BC-450 AD