Resource
Posted by: Caitlin Hopping
Posted in: Adult/Higher Learning,Arts and Culture,Grades 9-12,Social Studies on: November 5th, 2009
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The Biography of Jing Ke is an account of the failed assassination of Ying Zheng, later known as Qin Shi Huang Di, the first emperor and unifier of China.
The story of Jing Ke was recorded by the Han Dynasty historian, Sima Qian, more than 2000 years ago in his work the Shiji. Sima Qian recounts how, following Ying Zheng’s military success in uniting the Han, Wei, and Chu kingdoms, Prince Dan of the Yan kingdom requested the help of Jing Ke in assassinating the emperor.
The assassination attempt fails, Jing Ke is killed, and a few years later Ying Zheng conquers the remaining states and unifies China in 221 BCE. This amazing story poignantly illustrates how one person’s actions can dramatically affect the course of history.
Excerpts of the story can be found here.
Teachers might also consider using the movie Hero to examine this crucial period in Chinese history.
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