Why were the clay soldiers buried with the emperor?

The clay soldiers, known as the Terracotta Army, were buried with China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, to serve as his protectors in the afterlife. This massive burial complex was intended to ensure his power and authority continued beyond death, reflecting the emperor's belief in an afterlife where his reign would carry on. The army symbolizes his quest for immortality and the elaborate rituals associated with death in ancient Chinese culture.