Military and Expansion

Key Ideas

• Large standing armies secured and expanded borders, especially under emperors like Wu, who pushed into Central Asia and confronted the Xiongnu nomads.
• Frontier commanderies and garrisons were established to control new territories and protect trade routes, helping integrate diverse regions into the empire.

The Han Military

The Han dynasty's military was big and strong, designed to protect the empire and fight its enemies, especially the nomads called the Xiongnu who lived outside the northern borders. The army was made up of soldiers who were skilled at fighting on horseback (cavalry) and on foot (infantry). They used weapons such as spears, swords, bows, and powerful crossbows that could shoot farther than regular bows.

The army was organized into different units, including archers, cavalry, and infantry, all working together in formations. These formations helped soldiers protect each other and attack more effectively. Commanders were appointed by the emperor and often led armies for specific campaigns or battles.

To protect the borders, the Han built and improved forts, watchtowers, and walls. They repaired and used sections of the Great Wall and other defenses to stop enemy raids. The Han also sometimes worked with allied soldiers from other regions, especially skilled horsemen, to strengthen their forces.

Besides fighting, the Han army guarded key trade routes like the Silk Road. By keeping these routes safe, they helped merchants travel and trade goods, which made the empire richer and more connected.

In simple terms: the Han army helped keep peace inside the empire, defended it from enemies, and made the Han dynasty one of the most powerful forces in the ancient world.

Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Warriors are a huge group of clay statues made to protect the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife. They were buried over 2,000 years ago near the city of Xi'an. The warriors are life-sized, about 6.5 feet tall, and each one looks different with unique faces, hairstyles, and armor.

The warriors were made in workshops where parts like heads, arms, and legs were created separately and then put together. The soldiers stand in battle formations showing their different ranks and roles, such as archers, infantrymen, and generals. This layout reflects how real armies were organized in ancient China.

The Terracotta Warriors were discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well. It is one of the greatest archaeological finds in history. There are about 9,000 soldiers, along with horses and chariots, all made from baked clay. The army was built to protect Emperor Qin in the afterlife and to show his power while he was alive.

The warriors were originally painted in bright colors and held real weapons, but over time the paint faded and many of the weapons were lost. Today, the site helps historians learn about ancient Chinese armor, weapons, art, and military organization.

In short, the Terracotta Warriors are ancient clay soldiers buried to guard the tomb of China's first emperor, representing an amazing mix of art, history, and military power from over 2,000 years ago.

Video: Terracotta Warriors

Watch this video to see the Terracotta Warriors and learn more about how they were built and discovered.