Qin Shi Huang (259&ndash;210 BCE), personal name Ying Zheng, was king of the Chinese State of Qin from 246 to 221 BCE during the Warring States Period. He became the first emperor of a unified China in 221 BCE, and ruled until his death in 210 BC at the age of 49. Styling himself &#039;First Emperor&#039; after China&#039;s unification, Qin Shi Huang is a pivotal figure in Chinese history, ushering in nearly two millennia of imperial rule.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;


After unifying China, he and his chief advisor Li Si passed a series of major economic and political reforms. He undertook gigantic projects, including the first version of the Great Wall of China, the now famous city-sized mausoleum guarded by a life-sized Terracotta Army, and a massive national road system, all at the expense of numerous lives. To ensure stability, Qin Shi Huang also outlawed and burned many books, as well as burying some scholars alive.