How China’s First Emperor Died of Mercury Overdose
Qin Shihuangdi, or Qin’s First Emperor was the first person to ever call himself an Emperor in China’s history. He united China, which was divided between many kingdoms, under the name Qin, which became the root word for the name “China.” Iconic architectural legacies like the Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Warriors were constructed under his rule between 247 to 210 BC. This phenomenal figure in Chinese history had a desire that he was greatly obsessed with: to become an immortal.
When Shihuangdi united China for the first time in history, he was a 38-year-old with a healthy body. However, during this era, being in one’s late 30s meant that death was imminent, as ancient China saw the age 40 as the threshold for becoming elderly. After his goal of uniting China was complete, most of his energy was devoted to finding a way to avoid the slow march towards death so that he could retain his Emperor status forever.
However, despite his longing desire for immortality, Shihuangdi died just 11 years after uniting China, in 221 BC, at the age of 49. According to Sima Qian, an Ancient Chinese historian, Shihuangdi suddenly collapsed and died while touring the empire. Fearing a possible uprising, Shihuangdi’s close vassals…
