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Qin Shi Huang
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Historic book-burner Stone walkway along the Great Wall of China, with a watchtower in the foreground and the wall winding over green hills under a clear blue sky. terra-cotta soldiers and horses terra-cotta soldiers Qin Shi Huang Detail view of a terra-cotta soldier's head and upper torso from the tomb of the first Qin emperor, Shihuangdi, showing a mustached face and detailed armor.
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Historic book-burner
Historic book-burner Qin Shi Huang (Shihuangdi), illustration from a 19th-century Korean album, in the British Library.

Qin Shi Huang

emperor of Qin dynasty
Also known as: Shih-huang-ti, Shihuangdi, Ying Zheng, Zhao Zheng(Show More)
Written by
Claudius Cornelius Müller
Head, East Asian Department, Museum of Ethnology, Berlin. Author of Untersuchungen zum Erdalter she im China der Chou- und Han-Zeit.
Claudius Cornelius Müller
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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•History

Qin Shi Huang (born c. 259 bce, Qin state, northwestern China—died 210 bce, Hebei) was the emperor (reigned 221–210 bce) of the Qin dynasty (221–207 bce) and creator of the first unified Chinese empire (which collapsed, however, less than four years after his death). Zhao Zheng was born the son of Zhuangxiang (who later became king of the state of Qin in northwestern China) while his father was held hostage in the state of Zhao....

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