Page 22 - A History of the World in 25 Cities
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Ancient China was made up of independent states that were often at war with each other, until Qin Shi Huangdi united China into one
country for the first time in 221 BCE. He became China’s first emperor and made
the city of Xianyang his magnificent capital.
These statues were made from the weapons of the emperor’s fallen enemies, or possibly from weapons taken from the people of Xianyang to prevent a rebellion.
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Inside Xianyang Palace was the city library. The emperor was the only person allowed to have copies of ‘forbidden’ books – written before he came to power. All other books were burned.
These represented the defeated states and housed trophies.
Outside the Xianyang Palace walls, the city was a bustling hive of activity.
These palaces were built for the rich families that Qin Shi Huangdi brought with him to fill his capital.
The emperor’s palace.
This huge building could fit up to 10,000 people inside.
The emperor built this palace for his mother, Queen Dowager Zhao.
This enormous building site was to become the emperor’s new home.
