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Who commissioned the creation of the Terracotta warriors and what was their motivation?

Luciana Utteridge

Hey there!

So, the Terracotta Warriors were commissioned by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, during the third century BCE. His motivation for creating these life-sized clay soldiers was to protect him in the afterlife. The belief was that these warriors would come to life and accompany him in the afterlife, essentially serving as his army in the spirit realm.

Qin Shi Huang was a strong proponent of unifying China and establishing a centralized government. He ordered the construction of many great public works, including the Great Wall, and saw himself as a ruler who transcended death. He was known for his obsession with immortality and his desire to achieve it through any means possible.

The Terracotta Warriors were discovered in 1974 by farmers in Xi'an, China. The army is estimated to consist of over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, and 670 horses, arranged in battle formation. Each figure is unique, with individual facial features and hairstyles, indicating that they were modeled after real soldiers in the emperor's army.

The construction of these warriors was a massive undertaking, requiring a vast amount of resources and skilled labor. It is likely that many workers died during the construction process, as it is believed that the tomb was sealed with the workers still inside.

The Terracotta Warriors are not only a testament to the power and ambition of Qin Shi Huang but also serve as an incredible example of ancient Chinese art and technology. The level of detail and craftsmanship exhibited by these figures is truly remarkable, and they have become a symbol of Chinese history and culture.

In conclusion, the Terracotta Warriors were commissioned by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, as a means of protecting him in the afterlife. His motivation for creating these warriors was his obsession with immortality and his desire to transcend death. Today, the Terracotta Warriors are considered one of the most significant discoveries in Chinese history and are a testament to the power and ambition of Qin Shi Huang.