Emperor Gaozong of Tang

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Emperor Gaozong of Tang" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (June 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Emperor Gaozong of Tang 唐高宗
Huangdi 皇帝 Khan of Heaven 天可汗
Qing dynasty illustration of Gaozong
Emperor of the Tang dynasty
Reign	15 July 649 – 27 December 683
Coronation	15 July 649
Predecessor	Emperor Taizong
Successor	Emperor Zhongzong (Under Empress Zetian regency)
Regent	Empress Wu
Born	21 July 628[1] Lizheng Palace, Chang'an, Tang China
Died	27 December 683(683-12-27) (aged 55)[2] Zhenguan Palace, Luoyang, Tang China
Burial	Qian Mausoleum
Consorts	Empress Wang (dep. 655) Empress Wu (m. 651–683)
Issue	Li Zhong Li Xiao Li Shangjin Li Sujie Li Hong Li Xian Emperor Zhongzong Emperor Ruizong Princess Jincheng Princess Gao'an Princess Taiping
Names Family name: Li (李) Birth name (小名): Zhinu (雉奴) Given name (大名): Zhi (治) Courtesy name (字): Weishan (為善) Posthumous name Short: Great Emperor Tianhuang[3] (天皇大帝) Full: Emperor Tianhuang Dasheng Dahong Xiao[4] (天皇大聖大弘孝皇帝) Temple name Gaozong (高宗)
House	Li
Dynasty	Tang
Father	Emperor Taizong
Mother	Empress Wende

Emperor Gaozong of Tang (21 July 628^[1] – 27 December 683^[2]), personal name Li Zhi, was the third emperor of the Chinese Tang dynasty, ruling from 649 to 683; after January 665, he handed power over the empire to his second wife Empress Wu (the future Wu Zetian), and her decrees were carried out with greater force than the decrees of Emperor Gaozong's. Emperor Gaozong was the youngest son of Emperor Taizong and Empress Zhangsun; his elder brothers were Li Chengqian and Li Tai.

Emperor Gaozong's reign saw the primacy of Empress Wu, who became the effective power behind the Tang rule. Emperor Gaozong was aided in his rule by Empress Wu during the later years of his reign after a series of strokes left him incapacitated. Emperor Gaozong effectively after January 665 delegated all matters of state to his strong wife; After that Empress Wu acted as the power behind the emperor, "hanging the curtain and listening to politics" (Chuílián tīngzhèng 垂簾聼政). Gaozong's personal illness, over-affection and trust of Wu led to her wielding a great deal of power in affairs of state until the end of his reign while exerting her influence on him. Empress Wu was partially in control of power from November 660 and then totally from January 665 to December 683; There was an equality of power between Gaozong and Wu, which caused them to be called "two saints" (二聖, Er Sheng, literally two emperors) both inside and outside. After Emperor Gaozong died in December 683, power fell completely and solely into the hands of Empress Wu, acting as Empress Dowager-regent, "presiding over court and issuing edicts" (lin chao chengzhi 臨朝稱制); she subsequently became the only empress regnant in Chinese history. After his death, he was interred at the Qian Mausoleum along with Wu Zetian.

During the first part of his reign, Tang territorial gains, which started with his father Emperor Taizong, continued, including the conquest of Baekje, Goguryeo, and the Western Turkic Khaganate, but throughout the 670s, much of those gains were lost to the Tibetan Empire, Silla, Khitans, and Balhae. Further, territory previously conquered that belonged to both the Göktürks and the Western Turkic Khaganate were subjected to repeated rebellions.