The First Emperor of China

The First Emperor of China

From Ancient Civilisations by NOISER

March 27, 2026 · 58 min · Season 2 · Episode 38

About this episode

This episode explores the life and reign of Chin Shrr Hwong, the First Emperor of China, and his monumental achievements and obsessions.

In the third century BC, China was a land fractured by war - a patchwork of rival kingdoms struggling for dominance. Out of this chaos rose a single, extraordinary figure who would reshape the course of history: Chin Shrr Hwong, the First Emperor of China. His achievements were monumental, but his reign was marked by ruthlessness, so how did this teenage king rise to power? What drove him to undertake colossal projects like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army? And how might his obsession with immortality have led to his mysterious death? This is a Short History Of The First Emperor of China. A Noiser Production, written by Sean Coleman. With thanks to John Man, author of The Terracotta Army: China’s First Emperor and the Birth of a Nation. For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Noiser+⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noiser.com/subscriptions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Sean Coleman

Topics covered

  • First Emperor of China
  • Ancient China
  • Great Wall
  • Terracotta Army
  • Chinese history
  • Leadership
  • Immortality

Keywords

  • First Emperor
  • China
  • Chin Shrr Hwong
  • Great Wall
  • Terracotta Army
  • immortality
  • history

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Terracotta Army: China’s First Emperor and the Birth of a Nation

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