Life After DeathAn important belief held by the Ancient Chinese was, life carried on after death, that the deceased continued to do what they had done during their lives on Earth. Tombs and mausoleum were arranged and filled with objects which the deceased would need in the afterlife including weapons, personal ornaments and possessions. The Terracotta Warriors were believed to have been built to accompany and protect the emperor from danger in the afterlife.
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Extract of Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian"
“When the emperor first came to the throne, he began digging and shaping Mt. Li. Later, when he unified the empire, he had over 700,000 men from all over the empire transported to that spot. They dug down to the third layer of underground springs and poured in bronze to make the outer coffin. Replicas of palaces, scenic towers, and hundreds of officials, as well as rare utensils and wonderful objects, were brought to fill up the tomb. Craftsmen were ordered to set up crossbows and arrows, rigged so they would immediately shoot down anyone who attempted to break in.” - SIma Qian
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An extract of Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian reveals that Emperor Qin had begun the construction of his tomb not long after becoming the first emperor. This extract revealed the importance life after death had on Emperor Qin’s beliefs, that he would continue his military power and emperor title in the afterlife. His beliefs reflected the beliefs of other Ancient Chinese people as many believed that the spirit of their ancestors lived with the gods.6 Emperor Qin strongly believed in the afterlife, which was evident through the creation of his tomb as well as the terracotta army to accompany and protect him in his afterlife.
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This extract revealed the importance life after death had on Emperor Qin’s beliefs, that he would continue his military power and emperor title in the afterlife. His beliefs reflected the beliefs of other Ancient Chinese people as many believed that the spirit of their ancestors lived with the gods.Emperor Qin strongly believed in the afterlife, which was evident through the creation of his tomb as well as the terracotta army to accompany and protect him in his afterlife