Asoka vs. Shi Huangdi:

Asoka vs.
Shi Huangdi:
Should a country be
lead with an iron fist
or a gentle hand?
Susan H. Odle/Lutheran HS of Orange County/odle@lhsoc.org
Who was Asoka?
•Asoka was an
Indian
emperor.
•He ruled from
c. 273- c. 232
B.C.E.
•Circa 261 B.C. he led a
bloody conquest to gain
control over India.
•After the conquest he
suffered from remorse
and accepted Buddhism
as his religion.
•Ashoka was a devote
Buddhist after he
converted.
•He tried to convert
everyone in his empire.
•He ruled in the name
of Dharma or
Righteousness.
•And believed in love
rather than the sword
Asoka’s Law
• 'Of all victories, the
victory of Dharma is
the noblest. One may
win a piece of land by
fighting a war. But by
kindness, love and
pity one can win the
hearts of people.
Asoka’s Law Cont…
• The sharp point of the
sword spills blood; but from
Dharma springs the
fountain of love. The victory
won by arms brings fleeting
joy but the victory of
Dharma brings lasting joy'
Ashoka’s love or bane?
• Ashoka’s love for
Dharma made
him try to stretch
to the far reaches
of the world.
•He wrote about
the wonders of
Dharma on
stones all over
Asia and as far
as Greece.
The death of Asoka
• It is uncertain on how Asoka
died.
• The most logical explanation is
that he was fed up with his
wife and children quarreling
that he went on a pilgrimage
and died at the age of 72.
Who was Shi Huangdi?
•At the age of 13 he took
the throne as a Chinese
emperor.
•He started the Qin
dynasty and led with an
iron fist.
•He was very superstitious
and was almost
assassinated three
times!!!
•Shi Huangdi believed that
to get peace you had to
force it upon your
subjects.
Forced Peace?
• He burned books and buried
scholars alive. He tortured
those who oppressed him and
it was all in the name of
peace.
• Despite the terrible side of Shi
Huangdi, he did have many
accomplishments.
The Accomplishments of Shi
Huangdi
• His Greatest was the
great wall of China
and the Canals
• Thousands died to
make these
spectacular pieces
of architecture.
A Tomb Fit For A King!
• Another one of his great
accomplishments was his
own personal tomb.
QuickTime Movie
Shi Huangdi’s Tomb
• The tomb was filled with life size
clay soldiers. These soldiers
were part of every aspect of the
Chinese army.
• The soldiers also showed how
Shi Huangdi ended the burial of
live people in the tombs of
emperors.
Technique # 1 - Gentle
Hand
• Gentle Hand
•Empire does as is ordered
because of love of emperor
•Strong steady expansion
because of expanding love of
emperor.
Technique #2 - Iron Fist
• Iron Fist
•Empire does as is ordered
because of fear
•Quick, unsteady
expansion of empire
because of brutality to
neighbors to gain land.
•Many people would argue
that the Gentle Hand is
better because it is a guide
to the empire rather than the
law. It also creates a long
steady empire.
•Others would say that an
iron fist is more
noteworthy because it
crushes nations and
brings up an empire to a
glorious peak. Even if it is
short lived.
Who is better?
You decide!