Why The Terracotta Army Was Built

Written by Sally Guo Updated Mar. 24, 2023

There are 3 popular explanations for the reasons to build the Terracotta Army: to protect emperor Qin Shi Huang and his mausoleum, to showcase the strength of the country, and to help the emperor to rule the underground world in his afterlife.

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The Terracotta Army was built to protect the emperor and his mausoleum

The Terracotta Army was built to protect Qin Shi Huang and his mausoleum. Having conquered the six states, countless civilians and soldiers had died because of him. These wronged souls were unable to reincarnate in the afterlife, and Emperor Qin Shi Huang feared retaliation from them when he died and entered the underworld. Therefore, he built the Terracotta Army and hoped that after his death, these soldiers would be buried around him to protect his safety.

These terracotta warriors and horses were placed at the entrance and surrounding areas of the tomb, forming a tight protective system that effectively prevented tomb raiders and hostile forces from invading.

Terracotta warriors

Terracotta Army was built to Showcase the Country's Strenght

The construction of the Terracotta Army by Emperor Qin Shi Huang was intended to showcase the strength of his country.

Through successive reforms, Qin became the most powerful state among the warring states in the late period. Under the leadership of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, it conquered the other six states, establishing a unified feudal dynasty.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang became the ultimate victor because he relied on the powerful military strength of Qin, and he wanted this strength to be forever displayed to the world.

The Terracotta Army discovered in the tomb includes cavalry, infantry, archers, and charioteers in large numbers, representing the Qin army. They have different postures and expressions, and their presence constantly declares the strength of the Qin army to the world.

To help the emperor to rule the world in his afterlife

Emperor Qin Shihuang also wanted to be the emperor in the underground. After unifying the six kingdoms, he realized that his life was coming to an end, but he still believed that he could continue to rule and dominate in another world after death.

In order to realize his dream of dominating another world, a large-scale army of terracotta warriors and horses was created.

In ancient China, there was a belief that after people died, they would go to another world. Emperor Qin Shi Huang brought everything to the underground so that he could command his army and conquer the world even in the afterlife.

Qin Shi Huang was a talented and strategic emperor, a hero in his time. He was highly regarded during his life, and even after his death, he would lead his army and fight against his enemies with thousands of soldiers.

Terracotta warriors built by Qin Shi Huang — The Underground Terracotta Army

When Was the Terracotta Army Built

After Emperor Qin Shihuang ascended to the throne (at the age of 13), he began to order to build his own Mausoleum (including terracotta warriors and horses) in the years of 246 and 247 BC.

The construction of the Shi Huangdi Tomb lasted 39 years and was completed in 208 BC. The total area of Emperor Qin’s mausoleum is 50 square kilometers, including the underground terracotta warriors and horses pits and his mausoleum.

Who Built the Terracotta Warriors

Emperor Qin Shihuang built the Terracotta Army. The emperor began to build the cemetery when he ascended the throne at the age of 13.

700,000 Workers Were Involved to Build the First Emperor’s Mausoleum & Terracotta Warriors

The number of workers who build the terracotta warriors is eight times larger than the workers to build Khufu Pyramid in Egypt.

The craftsmen who made the terracotta warriors' figures were a group of potters from the bottom of the heap, they previously worked for the imperial court or local pottery workshops.

80 names of potters are found on the terracotta figures, all of those are excellent potters with rich experience.

Making the Life-size Terracotta Warrior — Making the Life-sized Terracotta Warrior at A Local Workshop

How the Terracotta Army Was Made

Most of the terracotta warriors remain vivid and complete, even though they suffered years of exposure. For decades, archaeologists have pondered how ancient artisans made such indestructible warriors in such a relatively short period of time, and they finally found out.

The warriors were made from a kind of clay, which is very adhesive and easy to obtain. It can be found around the site. As technology was limited at the time, there were no advanced tools, and all warriors and horses were made by hand, step by step.

Torso, head, legs, arms, and hands were all created separately. Then artisans would assemble them to create complete warriors.