Meng Tian

Meng Tian
Meng Tian
Chinese	蒙恬
Hanyu Pinyin
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Méng Tián
Wade–Giles	Mêng2 T'ien2
IPA	[mə̌ŋ tʰjɛ̌n]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization	Mùhng Tìhm
Jyutping	Mung4 Tim4
IPA	[moŋ˩ tʰiːm˩]

Meng Tian
蒙恬
Meng Tian; 蒙恬
Born	c. 250 BC
Died	210 BC (aged 40); Yulin, Shaanxi
Occupation(s)	Inventor, military general
Parent	Meng Wu (father);
Relatives	Meng Yi (brother)

Meng Tian (c. 250 BC – c.August or September 210 BC^[1])) was a Chinese inventor and military general of the Qin dynasty who distinguished himself in campaigns against the Xiongnu and in the construction of the Great Wall of China.^[2] He was the elder brother of Meng Yi. He descended from a great line of military generals and architects. His grandfather, Meng Ao [zh], was a general from the era of King Zhao; and his father, Meng Wu, was also a general who served as a deputy to Wang Jian.

^ Vol.7 of Zizhi Tongjian indicate that Qin Shi Huang died on the bing'yin day of the 7th month of the 37th year of his reign. While there was no bing'yin (丙寅) day in that month, there is a bing'shen (丙申) day, which corresponds to 11 Aug 210 BCE in the proleptic Julian calendar. The same volume also indicate that Qin Shi Huang was buried in the 9th month of that year, which corresponds to 19 Sep to 18 Oct 210 BCE in the proleptic Julian calendar. Since Meng Tian definitely died after Qin Shi Huang and likely before the emperor was buried, Meng's death should be in Aug or Sep 210 BCE.
^ Grousset, Rene (1970). The Empire of the Steppes. Rutgers University Press. pp. 26–27. ISBN 0-8135-1304-9.

[1] Vol.7 of Zizhi Tongjian indicate that Qin Shi Huang died on the bing'yin day of the 7th month of the 37th year of his reign. While there was no bing'yin (丙寅) day in that month, there is a bing'shen (丙申) day, which corresponds to 11 Aug 210 BCE in the proleptic Julian calendar. The same volume also indicate that Qin Shi Huang was buried in the 9th month of that year, which corresponds to 19 Sep to 18 Oct 210 BCE in the proleptic Julian calendar. Since Meng Tian definitely died after Qin Shi Huang and likely before the emperor was buried, Meng's death should be in Aug or Sep 210 BCE.

[Rene-2] Grousset, Rene (1970). The Empire of the Steppes. Rutgers University Press. pp. 26–27. ISBN 0-8135-1304-9.

[1]

[2]