Qin Shi Huang

Qin Shi Huang, born in 259 BCE, was the first emperor of China, uniting the country in 221 BCE after the Warring States period. He is known for centralizing power, standardizing measurements, currency, and writing, which helped unify the diverse regions of China. His reign saw significant infrastructure projects, including the early Great Wall of China. However, he was also notorious for his harsh rule and book burnings to suppress dissent. Qin Shi Huang's legacy is complex: he is both credited with laying the foundation for a unified China and criticized for his tyrannical methods. He died in 210 BCE.