Wu Zetian

Wu Zetian died on December 16, 705, at the age of 81. Her death marked the end of the Zhou Dynasty and the restoration of the Tang Dynasty. Despite the controversies surrounding her rule, Wu Zetian is remembered as a formidable leader who broke gender barriers in Chinese history.

In 705, Wu Zetian was forced to abdicate the throne due to a coup led by officials loyal to the Tang Dynasty. She retired to a life of relative seclusion, living out her remaining years in the Eastern Palace. Despite her abdication, her legacy as a powerful and effective ruler endured.

During her reign, Wu Zetian implemented numerous reforms to strengthen the central government and promote economic development. She also became a patron of the arts and culture, supporting the construction of Buddhist temples and the compilation of historical texts, which helped to legitimize her rule.

In 690, Wu Zetian declared herself Emperor of China, establishing the Zhou Dynasty and becoming the only woman to rule China in her own right. Her reign was marked by significant political and social reforms, including the promotion of Buddhism and the expansion of the civil service examination system.

Emperor Gaozong died in 683, leaving Wu Zetian as the de facto ruler of the Tang Dynasty. Although her son Zhongzong was named emperor, Wu Zetian retained control over the empire, eventually deposing him and ruling through her other sons.

By 665, Wu Zetian had effectively become the power behind the throne. She began to take on more governmental responsibilities, influencing major decisions and policies. Her political maneuvering and strategic alliances allowed her to consolidate power and eliminate rivals.

Following the death of Emperor Taizong, Wu Zetian became the wife of his successor, Emperor Gaozong. Her position as Empress Consort allowed her to wield considerable influence over the emperor and the court, setting the stage for her eventual rise to absolute power.

At the age of 14, Wu Zetian entered the imperial court as a concubine of Emperor Taizong. Her entry into the court marked the beginning of her political career, where she would demonstrate her intelligence and political acumen, eventually leading to her significant influence over the Tang Dynasty.

Wu Zetian was born in 624 in Lizhou, China, during the Tang Dynasty. She was born into a wealthy and influential family, which allowed her to receive an education uncommon for women of her time. Her intelligence and ambition would later enable her to rise to power as the only female emperor in Chinese history.