The Terracotta Army (an army for the afterlife) was discovered in 1974 just outside of Xi’an in the Shaanxi Province of central China. The figures include warriors, horses, chariots, and a variety of other figures numbering over 8,000 strong. It is truly a World Heritage Site epitomizing the vision, artistry, and work of man. The terracotta army was created by the ruler Shihuangdi of the first Qin Dynasty in order to maintain his empire in the afterlife. The mausoleum precinct which houses the Army was built from c. 246 BC to c. 209 BC. Approximately 700,000 men worked on the project. At that point in history the Emperor employed 7 out of the 21 million people living in China. In addition, approximately 600 treasure pits were built about the mausoleum housing countless, priceless treasures of all types.
Power, control, and and accumulation of wealth have been operational tactics for empires through history. The Qin Dynasty is no exception. My sons and I visited the site of the Terracotta Army recently, and it was an astounding experience. The Warriors are quite large, had been individually painted, and absolutely brilliant in their composure and their duty.
In Bejing we visited the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Again, astounding sites. We learned that the Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) often hosted all day feasts for her small coterie of “friends.” Frequently, well over 120 courses were served with exotic foods from regions near and far. Apparently, the expenditure could have fed 5,000 peasants a day.
China is an ancient, incredible civilization which is over 14,000 years old. As an Empire it appears to have functioned and thrived essentially as a slave state where one household (The Emperor’s) owned 99% of the country’s assets. Today, in America, the top 1% of households own 35% of the country’s net worth; the next 4% of households own the next 27%. Hence, nearly 6 million American households (based on 115 million household units) own approximately 50 percent of the country’s assets. Quite the historical contrast.
China waited 14,000 years for Mao to “take over” in 1949. Why did it take so long for Mao to show up? What is it in the DNA of human beings that “allows” them to be subjects of oppression over 700 generations? Today, China’s wealth is more evenly distributed among its citizens, and it’s culture and economy are booming.