How far back in time must we go in order to be able to understand the separation of power that exists between men and women? Have inequalities amongst genders existed as far back as before the Common Era? Yes, we can begin to date these societal gender separations as far back into the Zhou dynasty (1045-771 BCE), and even further than that, into the Neo-Assyrian Empire. However, for the purposes of this paper the focus will be the Zhou Dynasty, and to examine what life was like for men and woman during this time. In order to do this we will have to examine two primary sources of the time period. The first one is a selection called The Metal Bound Box and the second is, Songs and Poems in Chinese Civilization and Society: A Sourcebook (1981) by Patricia Buckley Ebrey. Both of these selections are documents that outline and give an almost near concise depiction of what it meant to be a man living in Zhou dynasty, and what it meant to be a woman, and furthermore the hierarchal differences that existed among males of the elite class and those of the lower class. The era of the Zhou Dynasty began with the defeat of the Shang dynasty, under the leadership of King Wu. The confrontation was due to King Wus search for more natural resources, according to Professor Raphaels notes. Their victory was largely in part due their superior weapons, such as chariots and their large army. Over the course of 8 centuries the kings of the Zhou Dynasty would receive their power and position through the male lineage of their ancestors. Although the dynasty was largely composed of men, it still allowed for women to hold notable positions in their society. The Metal Bound Box contains speeches and important information regarding the religious practices and beliefs of the noblemen, which will allow us to have an understanding of the life of these aristocrats. The Metal Bound Box is one of the many classical texts that provide evidence of the rituals and beliefs of the king. It further explains what the process of divination is and