22min chapter

The Rest Is History cover image

444. The First Emperor of China

The Rest Is History

CHAPTER

The Rise of the First Emperor

This chapter explores the complex early life and reign of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi, highlighting his ruthless conquests and authoritarian rule. It contrasts the brutal ideologies of the Qin dynasty with the principles of Confucianism, focusing on the emperor's obsession with control, standardization, and divination. The narrative also examines the heavy human cost associated with monumental construction projects like the Great Wall, reflecting on the darker aspects of his quest for immortality.

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