Omri Hefetz

In Memory of Qin Shi

Video (10:00) Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of China. He came to power in 221 BCE, after being the first person to conquer all seven Chinese warring states. His military accomplishments were many, and he achieved all of them with an iron fist – treating both his subjects and family with the same kind of ruthlessness. His lifelong mission, however, was different: Qin Chi wanted immortality. Following his coronation, he went in pursuit of an elixir that would keep him alive forever. His quest led him to the routine consumption of mercury, which caused his death at the age of thirty eight.