Qin Shi Huang
259 BCE – 210 BCE (49 years)
Unified China's warring states, standardized writing, measurements, and currency, initiated the Great Wall, and commissioned the Terracotta Army.
Biography
Qin Shi Huang was the founder of the Qin dynasty and the first emperor of a unified China. Rather than maintaining the title of 'king' borne by the previous Shang and Zhou rulers, he ruled as the First Emperor from 221 to 210 BCE.
Key Events
247 BCE
Became King Zheng of Qin state
221 BCE
Conquered war kingdoms, unified China
215 BCE
Began construction of the Great Wall
213 BCE
Ordered the burning of books and burying of scholars
210 BCE
Died; buried with Terracotta Army