The title of emperor began with Qin Shihuang.

Emperor is the title of the supreme ruler during the Chinese imperial period. In ancient times, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were not real emperors, but only tribal leaders or tribal alliance leaders. The monarch of the Xia Dynasty was called "Queen", the monarch of the Shang Dynasty was called "Emperor", and the emperor of Zhou was called "Wang". During the Warring States period, most of the princes assumed the title of king and respected the Emperor of Zhou as the "King of Heaven".

After King Yingzheng of Qin unified China, he believed that he had "the virtues of the three emperors and the merits of the five emperors", so he coined the word "emperor" as the official title of the supreme ruler of China. Therefore, Qin Shihuang Yingzheng was the first emperor of China and called himself "First Emperor". From then on, "Emperor" replaced "Emperor" and "King" and became the title of the highest ruler in China's feudal society for more than two thousand years.

Extended information

The process of Qin Shihuang creating the title "Emperor":

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the Zhou royal family gradually declined. Therefore, the kings of some powerful vassal states called themselves "kings". In 221 BC, King Yingzheng of Qin used his whip to destroy the other six countries, pacify the world, and unify China.

Ying Zheng believes that his achievements are unprecedented and cannot even be compared to the "Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors". In order to "claim success and pass it on to future generations", he decided to change the title of "King". So, the ministers were summoned to discuss the matter of changing the title.

Prime Minister Wang Wan said: "Although the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are the masters of the world, the land they actually occupy is only a thousand miles in radius. Since the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, those who are called 'kings' have truly owned the world, and Their great achievements can last for seven or eight hundred years, so the title of 'king' is the best." Ying Zheng heard this but didn't take it seriously. He believed, "The world of seven hundred years of Shang Dynasty and eight hundred years of Zhou Dynasty is nothing. What I want is a dynasty that will be passed down forever."

At this time, Li Si spoke, and he said: "Now Everything in the world is in His Majesty's pocket. This has never happened before. His Majesty's achievements are naturally beyond the reach of the Three Emperors and Five Emperors. In ancient times, there were Emperors of Heaven, Emperors of Earth, and Emperors of Thailand. The Emperor of Thailand is the most noble, and I think His Majesty is worthy of it. Call him "Emperor of Thailand."

After hearing this, Ying Zheng nodded repeatedly: "In my opinion, 'Emperor of Thailand' still doesn't make much difference. It's better to go to 'Tai' to stay as 'Emperor' and adopt the ancient title of 'Emperor'." Called 'Emperor.'