The reforms of Shang Yang
Legalist reforms turn Qin into the machine that will unite China
From 356 BC Shang Yang, adviser to Duke Xiao of Qin, carried out Legalist reforms: ranks and land were granted for military merit, families were bound by collective responsibility, and uniform measures and counties run by officials were introduced. He was executed in 338 BC, but his system made Qin the strongest state and led to the unification of China.
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Meanwhile around the world (±25 years)
Middle East
- 331 BC Battle of Gaugamela — 25 years later
Africa
- 331 BC Founding of Alexandria — 25 years later
Alive at the time
- Plato (aged 72)
- Aristotle (aged 28)
- Alexander the Great (aged 0)
- Mencius (aged 16)
- Olympias (aged 19)
- Zhuangzi (aged 13)
- Ptolemy I Soter (aged 11)