The British Museum uses cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience and to help us improve the site. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The First Emperor governed his vast land with a m ixture of strict discipline and excellent organisation.

The Qin Dynasty — The First Imperial Dynasty in China

Going against tradition, he abolished the aristocracy and awarded posts on the basis of ability alone. He also created a central bureaucracy, which continued throughout following dynasties.

His harsh rule was based on the philosophy of Legalism, which grew from the theory that human beings were by wayward by nature and needed regulation by law. Obedience was rewarded but there were defined punishments for every crime and no one was immune.

The Qin Dynasty — The First Imperial Dynasty in China

This differed from the teaching of Confucius, who believed that people would follow a good example. When the First Emperor unified China, he made the banliang coin of the Qin state the single currency of the new Qin How did the qin dynasty make money. All other forms of bronze money, which came in a number of different shapes and sizes, became obsolete.

The circular shape of the coin with a square hole within is significant because in early Chinese cosmology, the earth was seen as being square and the heavens were considered royal dutch shell share dividend history be domed.

This shape could therefore be seen as a powerful symbol combining both heaven and earth. The word banlianginscribed on the coin, refers to its weight.

Banliang means half liangwhich is about eight grammes. The First Emperor also announced that standard weights and measures would be used throughout his empire and standardised written Chinese characters to produce a script that could be read everywhere.

Before his reign, Chinese words could be written in a variety of ways, but this key reform allowed him to govern and control the unified empire more easily.

Aroundcaptured soldiers and conscripts lived, worked and died in remote areas of the empire to complete this huge project.

The Great Wall of China we know today is built on the foundations of the Qin wall. Search the website More search options Search the website Search the collection Search the shop.

The Qin Dynasty - Ancient China for Kids

Explore A History of the World. Leaders and rulers Introduction Shah 'Abbas Hadrian Qin Shihuangdi. Search highlights Go There are over 4, highlight objects to explore.

History of Chinese currency - Wikipedia

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