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Primary sourceSculptureearly 2nd century BC

Yangjiawan Terracotta Figures

Han workshops · early 2nd century BC

Thousands of painted terracotta soldiers from an early Han tomb complex, likely belonging to one of Gaozu's generals, showing the military world of his dynasty.

These figures from a general's tomb near Gaozu's own tomb complex illustrate the military world that helped him found the Han dynasty.

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Painted terracotta figures in a glass museum case: a row of standing infantry with spears and shields in front, and a mounted cavalryman on a horse at right, with a further horse and rider behind. Visitors and other displays are visible in the background.
Painted terracotta soldier and cavalry figures, Yangjiawan tomb, early 2nd century BC. Xianyang Museum.

About this source

What it is

About 2,500 painted terracotta soldier figures were found in a tomb at Yangjiawan, part of the Changling tomb complex, probably belonging to one of Emperor Gaozu's generals. They date to the early 2nd century BC and are now kept at the Xianyang Museum.

Why it matters

These figures show the military aristocracy that helped Gaozu found and secure the Han dynasty. Burying model soldiers with a general reflects the importance placed on military power and the afterlife in early Han society.

Look closer

  • What details of the soldiers' equipment can you make out?
  • Why might a general be buried with thousands of miniature soldiers?
  • What does this tell us about how the early Han state organized its military?

This sculpture is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Liu Bang (Gaozu of Han) on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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