Wu Zetian

Wu Zetian 武則天
Wu Zetian as depicted in An 18th century album of portraits of 86 emperors of China, with Chinese historical notes (British Library)
Empress of China
Reign	16 October 690[1][note 1] – 21 February 705[2][note 2]
Coronation	16 October 690
Predecessor	Dynasty established (Emperor Ruizong as emperor of the Tang dynasty)
Successor	Dynasty abolished (Emperor Zhongzong restored as emperor of the Tang dynasty)
Empress dowager of China
Tenure	27 December 683 – 16 October 690
Empress consort of China
Tenure	22 November 655 – 27 December 683
Born	(624-02-17)17 February 624 Lizhou, Tang China
Died	16 December 705(705-12-16) (aged 81) Luoyang, Tang China
Burial	Qianling Mausoleum
Spouse	Emperor Taizong of Tang Emperor Gaozong of Tang
Issue	Li Hong, Emperor Yizong Li Xian, Crown Prince Zhanghuai Li Xian, Emperor Zhongzong Li Dan, Emperor Ruizong Princess Taiping
Names Family name: Wu (武) Given name: first, no record. Later, Zhao (曌/瞾), possibly originally Zhao (照)[note 3] Art name: Wu Mei (武媚)[note 4] Regnal name Emperor Shengshen (聖神皇帝); Emperor Jinlun Shengshen (金輪聖神皇帝); Emperor Yuegu Jinlun Shengshen (越古金輪聖神皇帝); Emperor Cishi Yuegu Jinlun Shengshen (慈氏越古金輪聖神皇帝); Emperor Tiance Jinlun Shengshen (天冊金輪聖神皇帝); Emperor Zetian Dasheng (則天大聖皇帝) Posthumous name Short: Empress Consort Zetian (則天皇后)[note 5] Full: Empress Consort Zetian Shunsheng (則天順聖皇后)[note 6] Temple name None[note 7]
House	Wu (武)
Dynasty	Tang dynasty (by marriage) Wu Zhou dynasty (by establishment)
Father	Wu Shiyue
Mother	Lady Yang
Religion	Buddhism

Wu Zetian^{[note 8]} (17 February 624^{[note 9][note 10]} – 16 December 705),^[3][4] personal name Wu Zhao, was Empress of China from 660 to 705, ruling first through others and then (from 690) in her own right. She ruled first as empress consort, through her husband Emperor Gaozong and then as an empress dowager, through her sons Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong, from 660 to 690, not unprecedented in Chinese history. She subsequently founded and ruled as female emperor of the Wu Zhou dynasty of China from 690 to 705.^[3] She was the only female sovereign in the history of China widely regarded as legitimate. Under her 45-year reign, China grew larger, becoming one of the great powers of the world, its culture and economy were revitalized, and corruption in the court was reduced. She was eventually removed from power during a coup and died a few months later.

In early life, Wu was the concubine of Emperor Taizong. After his death, she married his ninth son and successor, Emperor Gaozong, officially becoming Gaozong's huanghou (皇后), or empress consort, the highest-ranking of the wives, in 655. Even before becoming empress consort, Wu had considerable political power. Once announced as the empress consort, she began to control the court, and after Gaozong's debilitating stroke in 660, she became administrator of the court, a position equal to the emperor's, until 683.

As a young woman entering Gaozong's harem, Wu competed with Empress Wang and Consort Xiao for the emperor's affection, and eventually expelled and killed them. After her wedding to Gaozong in 655, her rise to power was swift. A strong, charismatic, vengeful, ambitious, well-educated woman who enjoyed her husband's absolute affection, Wu was the most powerful and influential woman at court during a period when the Tang dynasty was at the peak of its glory.

Wu was more decisive and proactive than her husband, and historians consider her to have been the real power behind the throne during Gaozong's reign for more than 20 years until his death. She was partially in control of power from November 660, and totally from January 665. History records that she "was at the helm of the country for long years, her power is no different from that of the emperor." ^{[citation needed]} Wu presided over the court with the emperor, and even held court independently when the emperor was unwell. She was given charge of the Heirloom Seal of the Realm, implying that her perusal and consent were necessary before any document or order received legal validity. Gaozong sought her views on all matters before making major decisions. Wu was also granted certain honors and privileges not enjoyed by any Chinese empresses before or since. After Gaozong's death, Wu as empress dowager and regent held power completely and solely, used absolute power more forcefully and violently than before, and suppressed her overt and covert opponents. Seven years later, Wu seized the throne and began the Zhou dynasty, becoming the only empress regnant in Chinese history.

On Emperor Gaozong's death in 683, rather than entering into retirement (as was customary for royal widows), or not interfering in the government (according to the emperor's law, when he reaches the age of 17, he must rule by himself); Wu broke with tradition and took acquisition of complete power, refusing to allow any of her sons to rule. She took the throne in 690 by officially changing the name of the country from Tang to Zhou, changing the name of the royal family from Li to Wu, and holding a formal ceremony to crown herself as emperor.^[5]

Empress Wu is considered one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history due to her strong leadership and effective governance, which made China one of the world's most powerful nations.^{[citation needed]} The importance to history of her tenure includes the major expansion of the Chinese empire, extending it far beyond its previous territorial limits, deep into Central Asia, and engaging in a series of wars on the Korean Peninsula, first allying with Silla against Goguryeo, and then against Silla over the occupation of former Goguryeo territory. Within China, besides the more direct consequences of her struggle to gain and maintain power, Wu's leadership resulted in important effects regarding social class in Chinese society and in relation to state support for Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, education and literature.

Wu developed a network of spies to build a strong intelligence system in the court and throughout the empire, delivering daily reports on current affairs of the empire or opposition to the central state. She also played a key role in reforming the imperial examination system and encouraging capable officials to work in governance to maintain a peaceful and well-governed state. Effectively, these reforms improved her nation's bureaucracy by ensuring that competence, rather than family connections, became a key feature of the civil service.^[6] Wu also had an important impact upon the statuary of the Longmen Grottoes and the "Wordless Stele" at the Qian Mausoleum, as well as the construction of some major buildings and bronze castings that no longer survive. Besides her career as a political leader, Wu also had an active family life. She was a mother of four sons, three of whom also carried the title of emperor, although one held that title only as a posthumous honor. One of her grandsons became the controversial Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, whose reign marked the turning point of the Tang dynasty into sharp decline.

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