Terracotta Warriors

 


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Pictured above is an image of the Terracotta warriors from the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor of China Qin Shihuang. (221-206 B.C.E) In order to achieve immortality, Qin Shihuang built himself a tomb guarded by life sized terracotta warriors, infantrymen, horses, chariots and their respective armor and weaponry. Qin Shihuang conquered most of his life, but his final drive to conquer death, and thought this was the way to beat death and achieve immortality.  Qin was known for his stunning innovations. During his reign, he was responsible establishing the means of currency, writing, measurements, connected cities and states with advanced road and canal systems and on top of all that is credited with continuing the Great Wall of Chinas construction. He is still recognized as a historical symbol of China to this day. Most of his success can be credited to his military methods, massacre and destruction. A credited military genius of his time was able to bring the states together because of his violence.    

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            The discovering of this underground city is arguably one of the most stunning and mysterious discoveries of the ancient world. Within this establishment they were able to find gardens, stables, bronze ritual vessels, jade jewelry, and a wealth of gold and silver ornaments. They were also able to gain some insight on the Emperor’s worldviews and influence from the construction and methodical production of the figures. His 7,000 army figures was an idea of his every since he came to the power at the age of 13. His afterlife obsession, and deep concern for the universe led him to even have burial treasures and precious gemstones representing stars, the moon and the sun.

                Of all the accomplishments from this extraordinary period, the unification of China is, without question, the greatest symbol of the Qin dynasty’s power and influence. Born in a time of turmoil in China's history, known as the Warring States period. He founded the Qin dynasty (221-206 B.C.E.). By 221 B.C.E., he merged the seven warring states into one nation and took the name Qin Shihuang, which means First Emperor. He left a legacy of a centralized and bureaucratic state that would be carried onto successive dynasties over the next two millennia.

  • “Terracotta Warriors from the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor of China.” Khanacademy.org, 2014, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/south-east-se-asia/china-art/a/terracotta-warriors-from-the-mausoleum-of-the-first-qin-emperor-of-china.

Comments

  1. Jake, of "Jake Writes a Blog"October 25, 2020 at 10:57 AM

    Marcus, I also chose to write about the terracotta Army. I really enjoyed reading the background information that you included about Qin. Did you read about him leaving the artists inside of the tomb to die with it? How crazy of an idea and man was he? It certainly was quite a feat to create such an army. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Justin DwinellOctober 25, 2020 at 5:11 PM

    Hello Marcus,
    Your post about the terracotta warriors was absolutely astonishing. I have read a little about them and what they stand for over the years but not in as much depth as I would like. This piece of history has always intrigued me and the fact that the emperor had a army of statues guard his temple is quite interesting. It’s crazy that this was how they believed the reached immortality. Overall, great post Marcus and I learned a lot based off your post.

    ReplyDelete

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