Qin Shi Huang, whose original name was Qin Zheng, was born a prince during the Warring States period in China’s history. He ascended the throne at 13 and by 21 had assumed full power. He aggressively conquered the feudal states and took control of the whole of China in 221BC. Qin proclaimed himself as Shi Huang Di, or 'commencing emperor', bringing himself on a par with the gods and announcing his divine right to rule China. He had edicts carved – in a new Imperial script he developed – on the walls of sacred mountains around China to declare its unification under his rule.

During his rule, Qin standardised weights and measures, the currency and even the length of the axles of carts, which allowed every cart to run smoothly in the ruts of the extensive network of new roads he ordered built to connect his provinces. Qin took drastic measures to quell rebellions. He tried to wipe out heresy by burning classic literature – except books on medicine, divination and agriculture – and even ordered 460 Confucianists to be buried alive. He confiscated weapons, and implemented a harsh legal system to punish offences. Qin commissioned the construction of his tomb – the famous mausoleum in Xi’an filled with terracotta soldiers – when he was still young. He died touring eastern China, searching for the legendary 'lost islands of the immortals'.