Juan Sebastian Elcano vs Qin Shi Huang

Following Magellan's death at the Battle of Mactan, Elcano was elected by the surviving crew to command the Victoria. He made the decision to abandon the other ships and continue westward to Spain, rather than returning to the Moluccas.

After Magellan's death in the Philippines, Elcano took command of the Victoria and navigated it back to Spain via the Indian Ocean and around Africa. The ship arrived in Sanl

King Charles I of Spain granted Elcano a royal pardon for his earlier mutiny against Magellan. He was awarded a coat of arms featuring a globe with the motto 'Primus circumdedisti me' (You first encircled me) and an annual pension of 500 ducats.

Elcano served as chief pilot of the Garc

Elcano died of scurvy in the Pacific Ocean on August 4, 1526, while attempting to cross the Pacific for the second time. His body was buried at sea. The expedition ultimately failed to reach the Moluccas with most ships lost.

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.