The Terracotta Warriors were an important symbol of warfare. Warfare was an important aspect during the Warring States Period, therefore the Terracotta Warriors reflected Ancient China’s values of war as a means for power, authority and social status.
Before unification of ChinaBefore Qin’s unification of China, China consisted of seven vassal states also known as the “seven powers of the Warring State Period”. Each of these states (Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei and Qin), had their own territory and defense military. During the Warring States Period, China was frequently at war, fighting against one state whilst forming alliances with others.
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Qin Dynasty
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Source 5For example, source 5 depicts a crossbow trigger mechanism found in Pit 1 of Qin Shi Huang’s tomb, which reveals that Ancient China was quite advanced in their military weaponry as it was widely used long range weapons from the late Warring States Period. Having an advanced military and defense weaponry revealed the significance warfare had on the leaders of the Warring States.
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These artefacts would have been valuable to Emperor Qin because they were placed within the tomb to accompany him into the afterlife.1 As the Terracotta Warriors were an important symbol of warfare, it was an important aspect of the Warring States Period as Emperor Qin valued war, weapons and military power which reflects Ancient China’s values of war as a means for power, authority and social status.