Yu the Great
Other names: Yu the Engineer, Da Yu
Lived during: The Xia Dynasty
Known for: Controlling the floods of the Huang He River through irrigation techniques, and establishing the first dynasty of Ancient China. The tale of how Yu the Great harnessed the power of the Huang He River can be found here. Yu the Great is regarded as having been a wise, and just man, although whether he truly existed is still questioned.
Lived during: The Xia Dynasty
Known for: Controlling the floods of the Huang He River through irrigation techniques, and establishing the first dynasty of Ancient China. The tale of how Yu the Great harnessed the power of the Huang He River can be found here. Yu the Great is regarded as having been a wise, and just man, although whether he truly existed is still questioned.
Di Xin
Other names: King Zhou, Zhou Wang
Lived during: The Shang Dynasty
Known for: Being a tyrannical ruler who abused his power to satiate his own greedy desires. Di Xin was the last king of the Shang dynasty, and, in order to fund his decadent lifestyle, levied taxes, and replaced long serving noble families with his own friends and confidants. Together with his wife Daji, Di Xin is said to have created a range of indulgent forms of entertainment, including a lake of wine with a forest of meat in the middle, and a variety of cruel torture methods. Some of these torture methods included:
Lived during: The Shang Dynasty
Known for: Being a tyrannical ruler who abused his power to satiate his own greedy desires. Di Xin was the last king of the Shang dynasty, and, in order to fund his decadent lifestyle, levied taxes, and replaced long serving noble families with his own friends and confidants. Together with his wife Daji, Di Xin is said to have created a range of indulgent forms of entertainment, including a lake of wine with a forest of meat in the middle, and a variety of cruel torture methods. Some of these torture methods included:
- The 'Cannon burning punishment', where a large bronze pipe was stuffed with burning logs and coal until it was red hot. Victims of Di Xin were then strapped to the pipe, causing a painful, prolonged death.
- A pit of venomous snakes and spiders. At one point during his reign, Di Xin created a one time 'tax' on his subjects to supply him with a number of venomous animals. These animals were then place into a single pit, and victims were thrown in.
Confucius
Other names: Kung Chiu,Kong Qiu, Zhongni, Kongzi, Kong Fuzi, The Master, The Great Sage, The First Teacher, Lord Ni
Lived during: Eastern Zhou Dynasty Known for: Confucius was born in 551 BCE and founded the social philosophy religion: Confucianism. Confucius lived during the Spring and Autumn Period of the Zhou Dynasty, which, although known for its great cultural achievements, was also a time when China's feudal states were spiraling into an era of war and chaos as the Zhou Kings lost control of their vast empire. It saddened Confucius to see the country that he loved so much torn apart by its own people, and he reflected on the virtues of past rulers who had maintained a peaceful and stable society. It was this reflection that led him to his teachings, which he imparted to those that would listen. After years working as a political adviser in the state of Lu, Confucius was still unable to introduce the social reforms he had designed, so, seeing that his ideas had fallen on deaf ears, Confucius began a 12 year, self-imposed exile. During his exile Confucius was able to surround himself with a modest number of followers who, after his death in 479 BCE, published a collection of his teachings into the Confucian text: The Analects. |
A claymation video that shows the life of Confucius, from his birth, to death.
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Han Fei
Other Names: Han Feizi, Han Fei Tzu, Master Han Fei
Lived During: Eastern Zhou Dynasty
Known for: Han Fei is credited, along with a number of other philosophers, with the founding of the school of thought known as Legalism. Han Fei was a member of the ruling family of Han during the Waring States Period, and studied under a Confucian master. However, Han Fei eventually rejected his master's teachings, choosing to forge his own philosophy that reflected the collapse of feudalism he observed around him. While his own philosophy to establish a strict bureaucracy was rejected by his own state, the King of the Qin empire (Qin Shi Huangdi), who had read his writings, became interested. When Han was invaded by Qin, the Han King sent Han Fei to negotiate with Qin Shi Huangdi. However, Qin Shi Huangdi's top advisor, fearing Han Fei would replace him, accused him of being a spy and had Han Fei imprisoned. Han Fei eventually died in prison when he was commanded by Qin Shi Huangdi's advisor to commit suicide by drinking poison.
Lived During: Eastern Zhou Dynasty
Known for: Han Fei is credited, along with a number of other philosophers, with the founding of the school of thought known as Legalism. Han Fei was a member of the ruling family of Han during the Waring States Period, and studied under a Confucian master. However, Han Fei eventually rejected his master's teachings, choosing to forge his own philosophy that reflected the collapse of feudalism he observed around him. While his own philosophy to establish a strict bureaucracy was rejected by his own state, the King of the Qin empire (Qin Shi Huangdi), who had read his writings, became interested. When Han was invaded by Qin, the Han King sent Han Fei to negotiate with Qin Shi Huangdi. However, Qin Shi Huangdi's top advisor, fearing Han Fei would replace him, accused him of being a spy and had Han Fei imprisoned. Han Fei eventually died in prison when he was commanded by Qin Shi Huangdi's advisor to commit suicide by drinking poison.
Sun Tzu
Other Names: Sun Zi, Sun Wu, Master Sun, Changqi
Lived During: Eastern Zhou Dynasty
Known for: Sun Tzu was a brilliant military strategist who lived in the late Spring & Autumn Period. Born in the state of Chi, Sun Tzu entered the service of King Ho-Lu of Wu. During this time Sun Tzu won many important military campaigns, and became well known for his emphasis on out-thinking and out-maneuvering the enemy, instead of using force. Sun Tzu is credited with writing the well know text The Art of War, a detailed military strategy guide that outlines Sun Tzu's philosophy and approach to warfare. This text is referred to in modern day warfare, business, government, and much more in both Eastern and Western society.
Lived During: Eastern Zhou Dynasty
Known for: Sun Tzu was a brilliant military strategist who lived in the late Spring & Autumn Period. Born in the state of Chi, Sun Tzu entered the service of King Ho-Lu of Wu. During this time Sun Tzu won many important military campaigns, and became well known for his emphasis on out-thinking and out-maneuvering the enemy, instead of using force. Sun Tzu is credited with writing the well know text The Art of War, a detailed military strategy guide that outlines Sun Tzu's philosophy and approach to warfare. This text is referred to in modern day warfare, business, government, and much more in both Eastern and Western society.
Qin Shi Huangdi
Other Names: Zhao Zheng, Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng, The First Emperor
Lived During: The Qin Dynasty
Known for: Qin Shi Huangdi was the last King of the State of Qin, and ended the Waring States Period by defeating the six other states of Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, Qi, and Chu, and unifying China. After unifying China, Qin Shi Huangdi gave himself the title of emperor, and as such became the first emperor of China. Beyond physically unifying China under one leader, QIn Shi Huangdi also forged a nation through the standardization of written language, economy, road size, cart size, and political reforms under the ruthless Legalism philosophy. Qin Shi Huangdi was obsessed with the idea of immortality, and experimented with a range of foods and elixirs, this obsession with life and death led to the construction of an elaborate tomb, and the construction of one of China's greatest undertakings: The Terracotta Army.
Lived During: The Qin Dynasty
Known for: Qin Shi Huangdi was the last King of the State of Qin, and ended the Waring States Period by defeating the six other states of Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, Qi, and Chu, and unifying China. After unifying China, Qin Shi Huangdi gave himself the title of emperor, and as such became the first emperor of China. Beyond physically unifying China under one leader, QIn Shi Huangdi also forged a nation through the standardization of written language, economy, road size, cart size, and political reforms under the ruthless Legalism philosophy. Qin Shi Huangdi was obsessed with the idea of immortality, and experimented with a range of foods and elixirs, this obsession with life and death led to the construction of an elaborate tomb, and the construction of one of China's greatest undertakings: The Terracotta Army.
Cai Lun
Other Names: Ts'ai Lun, Jingzhong
Lived during: The Han Dynasty
Known for: Was a eunuch who served as a political official during the Han dynasty, and although early forms of paper had existed long before his birth, Cai Lun is often credited with the invention of, and improvement to the paper-making process. Although Cai Lun may not of made the very first piece of paper, he standardised the process and materials used. Prior to Cai Lun's enhancement of the paper making process, writing had been recorded on either heavy bamboo, or expensive silk. With easy access to paper China was not able to record its history, but develop quicker, through easier, and simpler communication.
Lived during: The Han Dynasty
Known for: Was a eunuch who served as a political official during the Han dynasty, and although early forms of paper had existed long before his birth, Cai Lun is often credited with the invention of, and improvement to the paper-making process. Although Cai Lun may not of made the very first piece of paper, he standardised the process and materials used. Prior to Cai Lun's enhancement of the paper making process, writing had been recorded on either heavy bamboo, or expensive silk. With easy access to paper China was not able to record its history, but develop quicker, through easier, and simpler communication.
Sima Qian
Other Names: Szu-ma Chien, The Grand Historian
Lived During: The Han Dynasty
Known for: In a time where speaking negatively about the government, or of the emperors that had come before was met with harsh punishment, Sima Qian was willing to risk execution to complete his, and his father's life work: The Records of the Grand Historian. Sima Qian served as the Grand Historian (often translated as 'astronomer royal') for the Han court, making daily records of state events and court ceremonies. Sima Qian's records reach back to beyond the Xia Dynasty and are a key source for historians studying Ancient China.
Lived During: The Han Dynasty
Known for: In a time where speaking negatively about the government, or of the emperors that had come before was met with harsh punishment, Sima Qian was willing to risk execution to complete his, and his father's life work: The Records of the Grand Historian. Sima Qian served as the Grand Historian (often translated as 'astronomer royal') for the Han court, making daily records of state events and court ceremonies. Sima Qian's records reach back to beyond the Xia Dynasty and are a key source for historians studying Ancient China.