Behind the Terracotta Army

The discovery of the Terracotta Army in 1974, initially by commune workers in Lintong County, revealed a remarkable archaeological find that had lain buried for 2,200 years. This ensemble of life-sized clay soldiers, guards, and horses was part of the mausoleum complex of Qin Shi-huang-di, the First Emperor of China. The find not only shed light on the grandeur of Qin's imperial ambitions but also underscored the ideological underpinnings of Legalism, which posited that state-driven actions could cultivate goodness despite human nature being inherently evil. The discovery challenged traditional historical narratives, leaving scholars to reassess their perspectives on this monumental figure and his legacy.

Huang, R. (2023). Behind the Terracotta Army. China, 27–35. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003421986-4