For more than 2,000 years, an underground army of life-sized Terracotta Warriors secretly guarded the tomb of China's First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, until a chance discovery in 1974 revealed them to the world. This book explores the rise, rule and death of Qin Shi Huang; the most controversial figure in Chinese history. We consider the emergence of the fiercely ambitious Qin Dynasty from the fires of the Warring States Period, the achievements of a man many consider to be a tyrant, and the remarkable mausoleum which ensures the First Emperor will never be forgotten. His burial is also put into context as we examine Chinese beliefs and burial practices from the Neolithic period onwards, and explore the achievements and legacy of the Qin's successors, the Han Dynasty.