Ferdinand I of Aragon vs Qin Shi Huang

Ferdinand I was elected King of Aragon by the Compromise of Caspe, a commission of nine representatives from Aragon, Catalonia, and Valencia. This resolved the succession crisis following the death of Martin I without a direct heir, bringing the Trastamara dynasty to the Aragonese throne.

Ferdinand I launched a military campaign to subdue the rebellious Sardinian nobles who had resisted Aragonese rule. The campaign successfully reasserted Aragonese control over the island, consolidating the Crown of Aragon's Mediterranean possessions.

Ferdinand I implemented administrative reforms in the Crown of Aragon, including the reorganization of the royal council and the standardization of tax collection. These reforms strengthened royal authority and improved the efficiency of governance across the diverse territories of Aragon.

Qin Shi Huang commissioned a vast mausoleum complex near Xi'an, guarded by thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots. The project employed hundreds of thousands of workers and reflected his obsession with immortality and imperial power.

From 230 to 221 BCE, Ying Zheng led the Qin state in a series of campaigns that conquered the Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, Yan, and Qi states. This unified China under a single ruler for the first time, ending the Warring States period.

Qin Shi Huang ordered the standardization of Chinese script, currency, and weights and measures across the unified empire. This facilitated administration, trade, and cultural integration, laying a foundation for future dynasties.

After conquering the last independent state, Ying Zheng declared himself Shi Huangdi (First Emperor), founding the Qin Dynasty. He adopted a new title to signify his supreme authority and initiated centralized imperial rule.

Qin Shi Huang ordered the connection and extension of existing northern fortifications to create a unified defensive wall against nomadic Xiongnu raids. This project involved massive conscripted labor and became the precursor to the later Great Wall.

On the advice of Li Si, Qin Shi Huang ordered the burning of historical records and philosophical texts not aligned with Legalist doctrine. He also had 460 Confucian scholars buried alive to suppress dissent and consolidate ideological control.