Meng Tian

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Meng Tian (died 210 BC) was a Chinese general during the reign of the Qin Dynasty . He was instrumental in building the Great Wall .

Life

Meng Tian came from a family of military personnel. His grandfather Meng Ao had already served as a general for King Zhuangxiang of Qin.

Around 222 BC Meng Tian was also appointed general. Subordinate to Qin Shihuangdi , son of Zhuangxiang and first emperor of China , he carried out a successful attack on the state of Qi on his behalf.

A little later the emperor sent him north with a force of 300,000 men to conquer the area south of the Yellow River .

In Lintao he began building the fortification that would later become known as the Great Wall of China. Even then it reached as far as Liaodong and was around 10,000 li .

Meng Tian and his family were held in high regard by the Emperor Qin Shihuangdi and held important offices and positions of responsibility during his reign.

However, since he was known as a supporter and supporter of the Crown Prince Fusu , he was named after the death of the old ruler in 210 BC. In the throne disputes in the empire. He was the victim of an intrigue between Chancellor Li Si and the chief eunuch Zhao Gao , who favored another prince to succeed him, and forced to commit suicide. According to tradition, he killed himself with poison.

Minister Meng Yi was his younger brother.

literature

  1. ^ Liao, Yan: Famous People of China , Wisconsin / Shanghai / Guangzhou, 2014.
  2. ^ Qian, Sima: The First Emperor: Selections from the Historical Records , New York 2007, pp. 53-59.
personal data
SURNAME Meng, Tian
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Chinese general during the reign of the Qin Dynasty
DATE OF BIRTH 4th century BC BC or 3rd century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH 210 BC Chr.