The Terracotta Army refers to the thousands of life-size clay models of soldiers, horses, and chariots which were deposited around the grand mausoleum of Shi Huangdi, first emperor of China and founder of the Qin dynasty, located near Lishan in Shaanxi Province, central China. https://www.worldhistory.org/Terracotta_Army/ #History #ChineseWarfare #QinDynasty #ShiHuangdi

(FB has been showing me these in memories.)

Four years ago, the National Gallery of Victoria had a exhibition of the terracotta army from Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum.

(Left to Right, Top to Bottom. Quotes are from the on-site labels.)

Armoured General, Qin Dynasty 221-207 BCE
"This general, the largest of the terracotta warriors in the exhibition, has a distinguished beard and moustache and displays a stance of importance."

Unarmoured infantryman, Qin Dynasty 221-207 BCE
"We can clearly see that this figure has been reconstructed from many small broken parts. Of more than 2000 warriors unearthed to date, none have been discovered intact. It is speculated that shortly after their completion at the fall of the Qin dynasty, the victorious Han entered the terracotta warriors underground passages, smashed the contents and set the wooden passages on fire."

Kneeling Archer, Qin Dynasty 221-207 BCE
"This warrior is part of a battle formation of kneeling archers surrounding by standing archers that was discovered at the second-largest of the three terracotta army excavation pits."

Civil Official, Qin Dynasty 221-207 BCE
"In preparation for the afterlife, Emperor Qin Shihuang not only produced a terracotta army for his protection, but also ceramic administrators to look after government and civil affairs."

#ngv #terracottaarmy #qindynasty #china#allyouneedfortheafterlife #reflections