The exploration of history is a never-ending journey that leads us to uncharted territory, unravels mysteries, and explores the mysteries of human civilization. Every historical event is a unique picture, behind which there are countless stories and revelations waiting to be discovered and interpreted. The inheritance of history is not only a review of the past, but also a guide and inspiration for the present and the future.
In the long history of ancient China, the system of martyrdom showed its cruel and sad side, and this custom was widely practiced in ancient societies, especially during the reign of Qin Shi Huang. This system is not only profoundly depicted in historical records, but also vividly presented in many film and television works, which is shocking.
The fundamental idea of burial is based on the ancient understanding of death and the worship of imperial power. The emperor is considered the Son of Heaven, and his death is not only the end of the individual, but also the end of an era. In this cultural context, the emperor's concubines, court maids, and even close relatives such as mothers were often forced to accompany the burial in order to maintain the dignity and luxury of the emperor during his lifetime. The ancients believed that life after death was similar to that before death, so martyrdom was seen as the last companion to the emperor.
Burials come in a variety of forms, including:
1.Death martyrdom: This is the most common form. In some periods, especially during the reign of Qin Shi Huang, death was extremely common. After the death of the emperor, his concubines and court ladies were often forced to be buried with him after his death. Since these women were usually young and lived in the imperial palace, their lives and destinies were closely tied to those of the emperor. Sometimes, in order for them to "serve" the emperor after death, their bodies were even treated with special substances such as mercury.
2.Box martyrdom: This is an extremely cruel form of burial. Archaeologists often find coffins containing babies or young children in ancient tombs. These bodies are often subjected to extreme violence, sometimes with limbs cut off before being stuffed into coffins. The children allegedly did not die immediately before being placed in the coffin, but were suffocated by lack of oxygen in a closed burial chamber.
3.Live burial: This method is mainly aimed at those workers who are involved in the construction of the mausoleum. After the construction of the mausoleum, these workers were often ignorantly imprisoned in closed burial chambers until they died of lack of oxygen. While there are rumors that these workers may have designed escape routes, this is more of a legend than a reality.
The funeral system was more common in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, and reached its peak during the Qin and Ming dynasties. However, with the end of the Qing Dynasty, this cruel system was finally abolished, and countless lives were spared innocent sacrifices. It was an extremely painful and desperate experience for those who were forced to die. They cried out for help in desperation, but no one responded. The existence of the funeral system not only reflects the cruelty and inequality of ancient society, but also a serious violation of human rights.
Fortunately, with the development of the times, this inhumane custom has finally been eliminated by the torrent of history, showing the progress of social civilization and human nature.