Shi Huangdi (l.259-210 BCE/r.221-210 BCE, also known as Qin Shi Huang, Qin Shih Huandi, Shi Huangti or Shih Huan-ti) was the first emperor of a unified China. Shi Huangdi means `First Emperor' and is a title, not a proper name. The Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) he founded (pronounced `Chin') gave its name to China.
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Timeline
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c. 481 BCE - 221 BCEThe Warring States Period in China.
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259 BCE - 210 BCELife of Ying Zheng of Qin, Shi Huangdi, First Emperor of China.
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c. 246 BCE - c. 247 BCEPrince Ying Zheng becomes King of Qin, age 12 or 13.
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238 BCELao Ai Rebellion in Qin.
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230 BCE - 221 BCEKing Ying Zheng of Qin defeats the other warring states, claims Mandate of Heaven to rule China.
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221 BCEKing Ying Zheng assumes the title Shi Huangdi, First Emperor of China. Founds Qin Dynasty.
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221 BCE - 206 BCEQin Dynasty in China.
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c. 221 BCEConstruction of Northern Frontier wall by Shi Huangdi, First Emperor of China, precursor to Great Wall.
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c. 218 BCEConstruction of the Great Wall of China is initiated.
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213 BCE - 206 BCEQin Dynasty elevates Legalism as state philosophy and bans all others.
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213 BCEThe Burning of the Books and the Burying of Philosophers Period in China.
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c. 213 BCE - 210 BCEShi Huangdi increasingly obsessed with death and immortality.
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210 BCEFirst Emperor of China Shi Huangdi dies, buried with army of 8,000 terracotta warriors in palace tomb.
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210 BCE - 206 BCEChina rises in rebellion against crumbling Qin Dynasty.
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206 BCE - 202 BCEThe Chu Han Contention, states of Chu and Han fight for supremacy of rule.
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202 BCEThe Battle of Gaixia, Chu forces defeated by the Han.
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202 BCELiu-Bang of Han founds the Han Dynasty in China.
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29 Mar 1974 CEThe Terracotta Army of the first Chinese emperor Shi Huangdi is discovered by farmers digging a well near Xi'an in the Shaanxi province, Lintong District, China. The discovery of the immense army created to serve the emperor in the afterlife is regarded as one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.
