Emperor Qin Shi Huang

Born Ying Zheng, Emperor Qin Shi Huang was the man behind the curtain for the first unified Chinese empire. He came, he saw, he conquered everyone in sight, and then decided that everything should be standardized, from currency to cart axles. A true original, unless you count all the previous warring states.

His lasting legacy includes the initial segments of the Great Wall and the incredible Terracotta Army guarding his tomb, which, let's be honest, is peak kvell-worthiness for any culture. He also burned books, buried scholars alive, and sought immortality with an enthusiasm that bordered on obsession, supposedly consuming mercury in his pursuit of eternal life. Spoiler alert: it didn't work.

As for Jewish identity or origin, there's about as much connection as there is between chopsticks and matzah balls. His empire was firmly rooted in ancient Chinese traditions, philosophies, and a distinct lack of any Abrahamic religions. So, no, he wasn't secretly a lost tribe member, or even a distant cousin twice removed of a fellow desert dweller.