Short History Of...

The Great Wall of China

5 snips
May 12, 2024
Discover the secrets and myths surrounding the construction of the Great Wall of China, from the millions of conscripted workers to the purpose it served. Learn about its vast expanse, enduring legacy, and evolution from a defensive structure to a cultural icon.
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ANECDOTE

The Scholar's Burden

  • In 210 BC, a young conscripted scholar labored on the Great Wall, resentful of his forced servitude.
  • He observed carvings depicting the nomadic horsemen the wall was meant to keep out.
INSIGHT

A Wall of Walls

  • The Great Wall isn't a single structure, but a collection of 17 walls built over 2,000 years.
  • It stretches over 21,000km, twice the distance between London and New York.
INSIGHT

Early Walls and Rivalries

  • Early walls, built around 656 BC by the Kingdom of Chu, were initially for protection from rival kingdoms, not just nomads.
  • The Warring States Period saw competing dynasties build walls, ultimately leading to seven major states.
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