Empire · 221–206 BCE · East Asia
Qin dynasty
Also known as Qin
Qin was a frontier state in north-west China that, after the harsh Legalist reforms of the minister Shang Yang in the 4th century BCE, built the most efficient army and administration of the Warring States. Between 230 and 221 BCE its king, Ying Zheng, conquered the six rival states and declared himself Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor.
He abolished feudal lordships in favour of commanderies run by appointed officials; standardised writing, coins, weights, measures and axle widths; built roads and canals; and linked frontier walls against the Xiongnu. He also burned books and was buried with the famous Terracotta Army. His rule relied on heavy taxes, forced labour and brutal punishments, and after his death in 210 BCE revolts toppled the dynasty in 206 BCE.
- Years
- 221–206 BCE
- Capital
- Xianyang
- Greatest extent
- 220 BCE, about 2.30 million km²
- Region
- East Asia
Under Qin Shi Huang; c. 2.3M km² in 220 BCE (Taagepera 1979), before campaigns into the Ordos and the far south added more
Legacy
The Qin created the first unified Chinese empire and its centralised model of government, and probably gave China its name in many languages.
Rulers
- Duke Xiao of Qin 361 – 338 BCE
Backed Shang Yang's Legalist reforms
- King Zhaoxiang of Qin 306 – 251 BCE
Won decisive wars against rival states
- Qin Shi Huang (Ying Zheng) 247 – 210 BCE (emperor from 221)
First Emperor of a unified China
- Qin Er Shi 210 – 207 BCE
Second emperor, manipulated by court officials
- Ziying 207 BCE
Last ruler, surrendered to Liu Bang
Realms on the map
- Qin Dynasty 221–207 BCE
- Qin 750–219 BCE