17. Shih Huang Ti

Qin Shi Huang (Chinese: 秦始皇; pinyin: Qín Shǐhuáng; Wade-Giles: Ch'in Shih-huang) was born on 259 BCE. His personal name was Ying Zheng (Chinese: 嬴政; pinyin: Yíng Zhèng). He was the king of Chinese State of Qin from 246 BCE to 221 BCE during the Warring States period.                He became the first Emporer of unified China in 221 BCE. He remained Emporer until his death in 210 BCE at the age of 50.                Qin Shi Huang remains a controvercial figure in Chinese history. After unifying China, he and his adviser Li Si passed a series of economic and political reforms. He undertook the gigantic projects, including the first version of "The Great Wall of China", the now famous city-sized mousoleum quarded by a life sized Terracotta Army, and a massive road system, all at the expense of numerous lives. To ensure stability, Qin Shi Huang outlawed and burried many books.                    Despite the tyranny of his autocratic rule, he remains a pivotal figure in Chinese history. He was died on 210 BCE.