Meng Tian

Lore & Background

Meng Tian was the elder brother of Meng Yi and descended from a great line of military officials and architects. His grandfather, Meng Ao, was a general from the era of King Zhao, while his father, Meng Wu, served as deputy to Wang Jian. In 224 BC, the Qin king Ying Zheng appointed Li Xin as commander-in-chief and Meng Tian as his vice-general to lead a 200,000-strong army against Chu. The invasion was successful at first—Meng Tian's army took Qigui—but then both Li Xin's and Meng Tian's armies were effectively annihilated by Chu troops under Xiang Yan and Lord Changping. Following this defeat, Ying Zheng appointed Wang Jian and Meng Wu as commanders of a 600,000 Qin army to conquer Chu. After Qin unified China in 221 BC, Qin Shi Huang sent a 300,000-strong army headed by Meng Tian to drive the Xiongnu northward for 1,000 li (about 416 km) and began work on the Great Wall, which extended over 10,000 li (4,158 km) from Lintao to Liaodong. Meng Tian's ingenuity is seen in his efficient building policy, consideration of topography, and use of natural barriers. He supervised construction of a road system linking former Yan, Qi, Wu and Chu areas. He is traditionally, if erroneously, credited with inventing the ink brush and the guzheng. When Fusu was exiled to the northern border, Meng Tian was ordered to assist the prince loyally. After Qin Shi Huang died, Zhao Gao forged a letter forcing Meng Tian to commit suicide in prison; his family was killed. Three years later, the Qin dynasty collapsed.

In Their Own Story

In 224 BC, the Qin king Ying Zheng appointed Li Xin as commander-in-chief and Meng Tian as his vice-general to lead a 200,000-strong army in an assault against Chu. The invasion was successful at first—Meng Tian's army took Qigui—but then both Li Xin's and Meng Tian's armies were effectively annihilated by Chu troops under Xiang Yan and Lord Changping. Following this defeat, Ying Zheng appointed Qin generals Wang Jian and Meng Wu as commanders of a 600,000 Qin army to finally achieve the conquest of Chu. By 221 BC, Qin Shi Huang sent a 300,000-strong army headed by Meng Tian to drive the Xiongnu northward for 1,000 li (about 416 km) and began work on the Great Wall, which extended over 10,000 li (4,158 km) from Lintao to Liaodong. Meng Tian supervised the construction of a road system linking the former Yan, Qi, Wu and Chu areas, as well as roads for imperial use. When Fusu was exiled to the northern border for disputing his father's policies, Meng Tian was ordered to assist the prince—a task he accomplished loyally. When Qin Shi Huang died, Zhao Gao forged a letter from Qin Shi Huang, and Meng Tian was forced to commit suicide in prison; his family was killed. Three years after his death, the Qin dynasty collapsed.

Reader's Guide

Meng Tian is a general of the Qin dynasty who distinguished himself in campaigns against the Xiongnu and in the construction of the Great Wall of China. He was the elder brother of Meng Yi and descended from a great line of military officials and architects: his grandfather, Meng Ao, was a general from the era of King Zhao, while his father, Meng Wu, served as deputy to Wang Jian. In 224 BC, he served as vice-general to Li Xin in an assault against Chu with a 200,000-strong army. After initial success taking Qigui, both armies were annihilated by Chu troops under Xiang Yan and Lord Changping. Later, Qin Shi Huang sent a 300,000-strong army headed by Meng Tian to drive the Xiongnu northward for 1,000 li (about 416 km). He began work on the Great Wall, extending over 10,000 li (4,158 km) from Lintao to Liaodong. His building policy was efficient though inhumane, considering topography and using natural barriers. He supervised a road system linking former Yan, Qi, Wu and Chu areas. He is traditionally credited with inventing the ink brush and the guzheng. When Fusu was exiled, Meng Tian assisted him loyally. After Qin Shi Huang's death, Zhao Gao forged a letter forcing Meng Tian to commit suicide in prison; his family was killed. Three years later, the Qin dynasty collapsed.

Did You Know?

• Meng Tian is traditionally, if erroneously, credited with inventing the ink brush.
• He is also credited with inventing the guzheng, a bridge zither with twelve or thirteen strings.
• Meng Tian supervised the construction of a road system linking the former Yan, Qi, Wu and Chu areas.
• He was forced to commit suicide in prison after Zhao Gao forged a letter from Qin Shi Huang.
• Three years after his death, the Qin dynasty collapsed.