Meng Tian

Meng Tian is a Qin general and the elder brother of Meng Yi. He descended from a great line of military officials and architects: his grandfather, Meng Ao, was a general from the era of King Zhao, and 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, but their armies were annihilated by Chu troops under Xiang Yan and Lord Changping. Later, he led a 300,000-strong army to drive the Xiongnu northward for 1,000 li and began construction of the Great Wall. He is credited with inventing the ink brush and the guzheng, and supervised a road system linking former Yan, Qi, Wu and Chu areas.

Quick Facts

Born

250 BC

Died

210 BC (aged 40)

Place of death

Yulin, Shaanxi

Father

Meng Wu

Relatives

Meng Yi (brother)
Bu Xianglian (wife)
Meng Yeng (son)

Occupation

Inventor, general

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.