Qin Shi Huang was the founder of the Qin dynasty and the first emperor of China. Rather than maintain the title of "king" (wáng 王) borne by the previous Shang and Zhou rulers, he assumed the invented title of "emperor" (huángdì 皇帝), which would see continuous use by monarchs in China for the next two millennia. Born in Handan, the capital of Zhao, as Ying Zheng (嬴政) or Zhao Zheng (趙政), his parents were King Zhuangxiang of Qin and Lady Zhao. The wealthy merchant Lü Buwei assisted him in succeeding his father as the king of Qin, after which he became King Zheng of Qin (秦王政). By 221 BC, he had conquered all the other warring states and unified all of China, and he ascended the throne as China's first emperor.
Qin Shi Huang
Emperor of China from 221 to 210 BC
Chinese
Notable For
Emperor of China from 221 to 210 BC
Qin Shi Huang's Historical Timeline
Chinese farmers discover the Terracotta Army near Xi'an, 8,000 clay warrior statues buried to guard the tomb of China's
Chinese farmers discover the Terracotta Army near Xi'an, 8,000 clay warrior statues buried to guard the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang
Associated Historical Events
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Qin Shi Huang known for?
- Emperor of China from 221 to 210 BC
- What historical events involved Qin Shi Huang?
- Qin Shi Huang was involved in 1 recorded historical event, including Chinese farmers discover the Terracotta Army near Xi'an, 8,000 clay warrior statues buried to guard the tomb of China's .