It is known to the world that Qin Shi Huang ruled the world and established the first unified empire in Chinese history. The strength of the Qin Dynasty amazed countless people in later generations. However, when we set our sights on the wider world stage, we discover a shocking fact. It turns out that on the shores of the Mediterranean, there are already much larger empires on the rise. The breadth of their territory and the strength of their armies are breathtaking. So, how strong was the Qin Dynasty? What was its position in the world at that time? When Qin Shi Huang unified the Six Kingdoms, what happened to the rest of the world? Why do we always underestimate the vastness of the ancient world? Let's unveil history together and see how big the real gap between the Qin Dynasty and the world really is.
In 221 BC, Ying Zheng led the Qin army to defeat Handan, the capital of Zhao State, and thus the ten-year unification war finally came to an end. The six kingdoms returned to Qin and the world was unified, and the 39-year-old King of Qin finally realized his ambition. He proclaimed himself the "First Emperor" and established the first centralized and unified empire in Chinese history.
However, the unification of the Six Kingdoms was only the beginning of Qin Shi Huang's grand undertakings. In order to consolidate his power, he introduced a series of drastic reforms. One of the most striking is the introduction of the county system. Qin Shi Huang divided the country into 36 counties, each with a number of counties, which were administered by officials appointed directly by the imperial court. This system completely broke the previous feudal system, allowing the central government to control the localities more effectively.
Interestingly, Qin Shi Huang encountered an unexpected problem when he implemented the county system. It is said that at that time, a minister named Li Si made a statement to the First Emperor: "Your Majesty, although we have unified the six countries, the dialects and scripts of each region are different, and it is difficult to pass the laws and regulations. It is better to unify the text for the benefit of the world. After hearing this, Qin Shi Huang greatly agreed, so he ordered the implementation of "books with words".
In order to unify the written language, Qin Shi Huang ordered Li Si and others to develop a standard writing system, known as the "small seal". He also ordered the burning of the history books and classics of various countries, leaving only the historical records of the Qin state. Although this move was opposed by many people, it also laid the foundation for the unification of Chinese characters in later generations.
In addition to unifying the written language, Qin Shi Huang also implemented policies such as "cars on the same track" and "unified weights and measures". He stipulated that the Qin State's rail standards should be used uniformly throughout the country, which not only facilitated transportation, but also strengthened the connection between various places. At the same time, he also unified the national system of weights and measures, which greatly promoted the development of commerce.
However, Qin Shi Huang is best known for his achievements in the construction of the Great Wall and the construction of large projects such as the Chi Road. In 215 BC, Qin Shi Huang sent the general Meng Tian to lead an army of 300,000 to attack the Xiongnu in the north. In order to defend against the southward advance of the Xiongnu, Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of a Great Wall that ran through the east and west on the basis of the original Great Wall of the countries.
The construction of the Great Wall was a huge project. According to historical records, Qin Shi Huang recruited as many as one million people to participate in the construction. They toiled day and night, and some even died in other places, their bones buried in the Great Wall. As later poets said: "The Great Wall is still there today, and I don't see Qin Shi Huang back then." This history is not only a marvel at the wisdom and perseverance of the ancients, but also a lament at the tyranny of human life.
At the same time as the Great Wall project, there was also the construction of a national road. Qin Shi Huang ordered people to build a network of galloping roads with Xianyang as the center and leading to all parts of the country. These trails are wide and flat, lined with willow trees, which provide shade from the sun and protect from the wind. The construction of Chidao has greatly shortened the distance between various localities, strengthened the control of the central government over the localities, and promoted economic and cultural exchanges.
It is worth mentioning that in the process of building the gallop road, Qin Shi Huang also encountered an interesting episode. It is said that once, Qin Shi Huang paid a private visit to a Chi Road construction site under construction. When he saw that the workers were struggling to move a boulder, he went up to him and asked why the stone had not been split and carried in several parts. The workers replied, "Your Majesty has ordered that the rocks should not be damaged." When Qin Shi Huang heard this, he was both moved by the loyalty of the people and ashamed of his harshness, so he ordered this regulation to be relaxed.
In addition to these ambitious projects, Qin Shi Huang also introduced a unified legal system throughout the country. He abolished the previous laws of various countries and promulgated a unified Qin law. Qin Law is known for its harsh punishment and strict laws, and has clear punishment provisions for all kinds of criminal acts. Although Qin's laws were strict, they also embodied the principle of equality before the law and laid the foundation for the construction of the legal system in later generations.
While the Qin Dynasty rose to prominence in East Asia, the rest of the world was undergoing seismic changes. In the distant Mediterranean and Middle East, several powerful empires rose and fell, even surpassing the Qin dynasty in size and influence.
First of all, it is worth mentioning the Achaemenid Empire of Persia. Founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BC, the empire was staggeringly vast. From the Aegean Sea to the Indus Valley, from the steppes of Central Asia to the Nile Delta of Egypt, the Persian Empire spanned three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. At its peak, the empire covered an astonishing 5.5 million square kilometers, nearly twice the territory of the Qin dynasty at the time.
The Persian Empire was not only impressive territorially, but also had a distinctive system of governance. Cyrus the Great adopted a relatively tolerant policy of rule, allowing the already occupied areas to retain their own cultural and religious traditions. This policy was unique at the time and laid the foundation for the long-term stability of the empire.
Interestingly, the Persian Empire also had a unique postal system known as the "eyes and ears of the king". The system consists of a series of post stations where riders can quickly relay information. It is said that it only takes about a week for a message to travel from one end of the empire to the other. This was a major breakthrough in communication technology at the time.
However, even such a powerful empire could not escape the fate of decline. In 334 BC, a young Macedonian king, Alexander, led an expedition to the east and destroyed the vast empire in just three years. The young man, who was only in his early 20s, created an even larger empire - the Macedonian Empire.
Alexander's crusade was one of the greatest military campaigns of the ancient world. With an army of less than 40,000 men, he conquered a vast area from Greece to India. In just 13 years, he built a vast empire spanning three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa, covering an area of more than 5 million square kilometers.
Alexander was not only an outstanding military strategist, but also a cultural communicator. In the course of his conquests, he brought Greek culture to the East. In the region he ruled, Greek became the lingua franca, and Greek art, philosophy, and science were widely disseminated. This period was later referred to by later scholars as the "Hellenistic Age".
However, the glory of the Macedonian Empire was short-lived. In 323 BC, at the age of 32, Alexander died suddenly in Babylon. His empire soon split into several independent kingdoms, most notably Ptolemaic Egypt, Seleucid Syria, and Antigonus Macedonia.
On the other side of the Asian continent, the Indian subcontinent also saw the emergence of a powerful empire – the Mauryan Empire. The empire was founded by Chandragupta in 321 BC and reached its peak during the reign of his grandson, Emperor Ashoka.
Emperor Ashoka is one of the most famous monarchs in Indian history. During his reign, the Mauryan Empire expanded to an unprecedented extent, unifying almost the entire Indian subcontinent. Interestingly, Ashoka witnessed the brutality of war during a conquest and changed his ruling methods and converted to Buddhism.
Under the impetus of Emperor Ashoka, Buddhism began to spread widely in India and even to Central and Southeast Asia. He also erected stone pillars throughout the country, inscribed with Buddhist teachings and his decrees. Some of these pillars are still well preserved and have become an important source for the study of ancient Indian history.
It is worth mentioning that Ashoka also established a large bureaucratic system to manage the empire. He divided the empire into administrative districts, each governed by a governor. In order to ensure the implementation of the decree, he also established a special type of official, known as a "judge", who supervised the conduct of local officials.
However, just like other great empires, the Mauryan Empire did not escape the fate of decline. After the death of Emperor Ashoka, the empire gradually fragmented and was eventually replaced by the Mauria dynasty in 185 BC.
The rise and fall of these empires demonstrates the complexity and diversity of the ancient world. Their existence not only changed the geopolitical pattern at that time, but also laid the foundation for the development of civilization in later generations. At the same time that the Qin Dynasty unified China, these empires were playing out their own chapters of history in other parts of the world.
When we compare the Qin dynasty with the world powers of the time, some surprising gaps are revealed. These disparities are not only reflected in the size of the territory, but also in terms of population, military strength, and cultural influence.
First, let's take a look at the comparison of the size of the territory. After the Qin Dynasty unified the Six Kingdoms, its territory covered an area of about 2.3 million square kilometers. This number may seem huge, but it is somewhat inferior to the Persian Achaemenid Empire and the Macedonian Empire at that time. At its peak, the Persian Empire covered an area of 5.5 million square kilometers, while Alexander's Macedonian Empire exceeded 5 million square kilometers. This means that these empires were almost twice the size of the Qin dynasty.
An interesting detail is that Qin Shi Huang sent Xu Fu to lead thousands of boys and girls to find the elixir of life. It is said that Xu Fu's fleet made all the way east and eventually reached Japan. Although this legend is difficult to verify, it reflects the limitations of the Qin Dynasty's technology for long-sea navigation. In contrast, the Persian Empire had established a maritime trade network from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean as early as the 5th century BC, and its seafaring technology far surpassed that of the Qin Dynasty.
In terms of population, the Qin Dynasty also lagged behind some of the world's great powers. According to historical records, the population of the Qin Dynasty was about 20 million. During the same period, the population of the Mauryan Empire in India was estimated to have reached between 30 million and 50 million. At its peak, the population of the Persian Empire was about 50 million. To a certain extent, this population gap reflects the differences in national strength of various countries.
However, population numbers do not fully represent the strength of a country. The military power of the Qin Dynasty was second to none at the time. After Qin Shi Huang unified the six kingdoms, he had a standing army of about 1 million people. This army was well-equipped and combat-ready, and was the key to the rapid expansion of the Qin Dynasty. By comparison, Alexander's army was less than 40,000 men at the time of his crusade, but he conquered the behemoth of the Persian Empire. This shows that the quality and command art of the army are often more important than quantity.
A little-known fact is that the military technology of the Qin dynasty was even ahead of the West in some respects. For example, the Qin dynasty had mastered the art of making stainless steel and was able to produce sharp and durable weapons. And in the West, a similar technique was mastered only centuries later.
In terms of cultural influence, the gap between the Qin dynasty and these world powers was even more obvious. Although the Qin Dynasty implemented measures such as the unification of scripts in China, its cultural influence was largely limited to East Asia. In contrast, Alexander's crusades brought about the widespread spread of Greek culture, with influence throughout the Middle East and Central Asia. This period is known as the "Hellenistic Age", and its influence lasted until the time of the Roman Empire.
Similarly, the Mauryan Empire in India was also prominent in terms of cultural diffusion. Under the impetus of Emperor Ashoka, Buddhism began to spread outward, reaching as far as Central and Southeast Asia. Interestingly, Buddhism was later introduced to China and had a profound impact on Chinese culture, which can be seen as a kind of cultural feedback to some extent.
However, we cannot ignore the contribution of the Qin Dynasty in terms of cultural unification. Qin Shi Huang's policies such as the same script and the same track laid the foundation for the formation and dissemination of Chinese culture. This kind of cultural unity was unique in the world at that time, and it also provided cultural support for the long-term unification of China in later generations.
In terms of scientific and technological development, the Qin Dynasty and the world powers had their own strengths. The Qin Dynasty was a world leader in civil engineering and metallurgical technology, and the construction of the Great Wall is a typical example. But in astronomy, mathematics, etc., the Greek world was far ahead. For example, during the Qin Dynasty, the Greek mathematician Euclid had systematically summarized the knowledge of geometry and compiled the Geometric Originals, which was unimaginable in China at that time.
In general, by comparing it with the world powers of the time, we can see more clearly the advantages and limitations of the Qin Dynasty. The Qin Dynasty had its own unique advantages in terms of military strength and state management, but it was significantly different from the world powers in terms of territory, population and cultural influence. This comparison not only helps us to understand the Qin Dynasty more objectively, but also helps us better understand the world pattern at that time.
Although the Qin Dynasty only existed for a short period of 15 years, its historical significance was far-reaching and long-lasting, and it had a significant impact on the history of China and the world. The unification of the Qin Dynasty not only ended China's more than 500-year-long secession of princes, but also laid the foundation for China's political, economic, and cultural development in later generations.
First, the unification of the Qin dynasty created an unprecedented model of a unified empire. This model included the centralized system, the county system, the bureaucratic system, etc., and became a model for later Chinese dynasties to follow. For example, although the system of three princes and nine kings established by the Qin Dynasty changed in later generations, its basic framework continued until the end of the Qing Dynasty. This highly centralized political system has enabled China to maintain a relatively unified state in the long course of history, which is extremely rare in the history of the world.
Another major contribution of the Qin Dynasty was the unification of writing. Although the small seal introduced by Qin Shi Huang was later replaced by official script, this practice of unifying the script provided an important guarantee for the spread and continuation of Chinese culture. It is worth mentioning that the practice of unifying the script of the Qin Dynasty was unique in the world at that time. Even the Roman Empire, as powerful as the Roman Empire, failed to implement a unified writing system across its vast territory.
On the economic front, the Qin Dynasty's policy of unifying currency, weights and measures laid the foundation for the integration of the entire Chinese economy. The Qin Dynasty minted half a tael coin, which became the first national currency in Chinese history. This unified monetary system greatly promoted the development of the commodity economy and made cross-regional trade more convenient. At the same time, the unified standard of weights and measures has also greatly promoted the development of science and engineering technology. For example, in the construction of the Dujiangyan water conservancy project, it is precisely because of the unified measurement standard that the water flow and slope can be accurately calculated, so that the project can play the maximum effect.
The construction of the legal system in the Qin Dynasty is also worthy of attention. The Legalist ideology promoted by the Qin Dynasty emphasized the rule of law, which to a certain extent broke the traditional aristocratic privileges and promoted the process of social equality. Although the laws of the Qin dynasty were notoriously harsh, they also contained many progressive elements. For example, the laws of the Qin Dynasty explicitly provided for the redemption of slaves, which was quite progressive at the time. This idea of ruling the country by law has provided an important reference for the building of China's legal system in later generations.
In terms of culture, although the Qin Dynasty was criticized for burning books and pit Confucianism, it actually made many positive contributions. For example, the official script, which was vigorously promoted by the Qin Dynasty, was more concise and practical than the small seal, laying the foundation for the development of Chinese characters in later generations. At the same time, the Qin Dynasty also promoted the development of science and technology. For example, the metallurgical technology of the Qin Dynasty was already able to produce high-quality steel, which was quite advanced in the world at that time.
The military achievements of the Qin dynasty are equally commendable. The Qin Dynasty not only unified the Central Plains, but also repelled the invasions of the Xiongnu many times and built the Great Wall. These military operations greatly expanded the territory of Chinese civilization and laid the foundation for the territory of China in later generations. It is worth mentioning that the military organization and tactics of the Qin Dynasty were very advanced at that time. For example, the tactics adopted by the Qin army of infantry, riding, chariots, and crossbows were unique in the world at that time.
The historical significance of the Qin Dynasty is also reflected in its absorption and integration of foreign cultures. Although the Qin Dynasty existed for a short time, it opened the door for later generations of China to communicate with the outside world. For example, trade with Central Asia was already established during the Qin Dynasty, which laid the foundation for the opening of the Silk Road in the later Han Dynasty. At the same time, the Qin Dynasty also absorbed some foreign technology and cultural elements. For example, the stirrup technique used in the Qin Dynasty was most likely introduced from Central Asia.
However, not all of the historical significance of the Qin Dynasty was positive. The tyranny and short life of the Qin Dynasty also provided profound lessons for later generations. The fall of the Qin Dynasty showed that it was impossible to sustain its rule for long by relying solely on harsh laws and high-pressure policies. This lesson profoundly influenced the political thinking of later generations of China, prompting later rulers to pay more attention to people's livelihood and cultural construction in addition to strict punishments and strict laws.
The historical significance of the Qin Dynasty is also reflected in its influence on world history. Although the Qin Dynasty itself did not have direct contact with the Western world, the model of a unified empire it created gradually became known to the Western world through the later Han Dynasty. Some of the reforms in the later part of the Roman Empire may have been inspired by the Chinese model. For example, the Roman Emperor Diocletian's four-emperor co-governance system included elements of learning from the Eastern Empire.
Overall, although the Qin Dynasty only existed for a short period of 15 years, its impact was far-reaching and long-lasting. It not only laid the foundation for China's reunification, but also provided important references for future generations in many aspects such as politics, economy, and culture. The successes and failures of the Qin Dynasty have become an important reference for the development of Chinese and even world history in later generations.
The position of the Qin Dynasty in Chinese history has always been a hot topic of discussion in academic circles and among the people. The evaluation of the Qin dynasty can be described as mixed, ranging from praise for its unification of the six kingdoms and the establishment of a centralized system, as well as criticism of its tyranny and short life. This complex evaluation system reflects the unique position and far-reaching influence of the Qin Dynasty in Chinese history.
Judging from the positive evaluation, the historical merit of the Qin Dynasty in unifying China is undeniable. Qin Shi Huang put an end to centuries of warring states and established the first unified multi-ethnic state in Chinese history. This feat not only changed China's political landscape, but also laid the foundation for the development of Chinese civilization. For example, the Qin Dynasty's policy of unifying weights and measures, currency, and writing greatly promoted economic and cultural exchanges throughout the country. The impact of this unified measure has continued to this day and has become an important embodiment of the continuity of Chinese culture.
The construction of the legal system in the Qin Dynasty was also often affirmed. Although the Qin law was known for its strictness, the principle of "equality before the law" established by it was very advanced at the time. This broke the privileges of the aristocracy and pointed out the direction for the construction of China's legal system in later generations. For example, the Qin Dynasty's "Qin Law" clearly stipulates that even if a member of the royal family breaks the law, he must be punished accordingly. This was extremely rare in the world at that time.
The scientific and technological achievements of the Qin Dynasty are also often praised by historians. The Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, Dujiangyan and other magnificent projects demonstrated the superb engineering technology and organizational ability of the Qin Dynasty. In particular, the Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project is still playing a role today and is known as the "Living Water Conservancy Museum". These projects not only reflect the scientific and technological level of the Qin Dynasty, but also leave a valuable cultural heritage for future generations.
However, the Qin Dynasty also had no shortage of negative reviews. The most common criticism is its tyranny. Qin Shi Huang's policy of burning books and pit Confucianism led to the destruction of a large number of cultural classics and the persecution of intellectuals. The negative impact of this policy was far-reaching, and it was regarded by later generations as a typical example of cultural autocracy. For example, according to the Records of the Historians, Qin Shi Huang ordered the burial of 460 Confucian scholars alive, an event that left a very bad impact on Chinese history.
The Qin Dynasty's harsh system of forced labor was also criticized. Although the large-scale construction of the Great Wall and the construction of the Afang Palace showed the national strength of the Qin Dynasty, they also brought a heavy burden to the people. According to historical records, 700,000 laborers were employed in the construction of the Lishan Mausoleum alone. This practice of working the people and wasting money eventually led to the boiling of public resentment and laid the groundwork for the rapid fall of the Qin Dynasty.
The short life of the Qin dynasty is also often used to justify the failure of its rule. The Qin Dynasty lasted only 15 years from the unification of the Six Kingdoms to the death of the Second Emperor, making it the shortest-lived unified dynasty in Chinese history. This phenomenon of "rapid birth and rapid death" is regarded by many historians as a direct consequence of the Qin Dynasty's policy mistakes. For example, the famous historian Qian Mu pointed out that the fall of the Qin Dynasty was not accidental, but the inevitable result of its draconian policies and eagerness.
However, the evaluation of the Qin dynasty is not set in stone. With the development of the times and the discovery of new historical materials, the scholars' views on the Qin Dynasty are also constantly adjusted. In recent years, some scholars have begun to re-examine the historical status of the Qin Dynasty in an attempt to give a more objective and balanced assessment.
For example, some scholars have pointed out that the negative portrayal of the Qin dynasty in traditional history books may be exaggerated. They believe that the scale and impact of events such as the book burning and Confucianism may have been exaggerated by later historians. This view is supported by a number of archaeological finds. For example, the Qin slips unearthed in Yunmeng Sleeping Tiger Land in Hubei Province contain a large number of legal documents, which shows that the Qin Dynasty did not completely reject written records.
Another notable point is that the short life of the Qin Dynasty does not completely negate its historical contributions. Some scholars have pointed out that although the Qin Dynasty only existed for a short period of 15 years, the institutional and cultural foundation it established laid the foundation for the development of the later Han Dynasty and even the entire Chinese history. For example, many of the systems of the Han Dynasty were developed on the basis of the Qin Dynasty, including the centralized system, the county system, and so on.
There are also scholars who re-evaluate the historical status of the Qin Dynasty from the perspective of comparative history. They point out that compared to other civilizations of the same period, the Qin Dynasty showed its advanced nature in many ways. For example, the centralized system of the Qin Dynasty was unique in the world at that time. Even a powerful Roman Republic failed to establish such an efficient centralized system.
The evaluation of the Qin dynasty also involves its influence on later generations. Although the Qin Dynasty itself was short-lived, the model of a unified empire it established had a profound impact on Chinese history. Later dynasties, whether Han, Tang, Song, Ming, or Qing, all continued the institutional tradition of the Qin Dynasty to a certain extent. This continuity has enabled China to maintain a relatively unified state in its long history, which is extremely rare in the history of the world.
Overall, the historical evaluation of the Qin Dynasty is a complex and ongoing process. This evaluation not only reflects the historical status of the Qin Dynasty itself, but also reflects the historical outlook and values of people in different eras. As research deepens and new materials are discovered, our understanding of the Qin Dynasty is likely to continue to change. But in any case, the status of the Qin Dynasty as the first great unified dynasty in Chinese history, and its far-reaching influence on the course of Chinese history, cannot be ignored.