Wu Zetian
Birth and death:	625[1]–December 16, 705[2]
Family name:	Wu (武)
Given name:	Mei (媚),[3] later Zhao (曌/瞾), possibly originally Zhao (照)[4]
Dates of reign:	August 18, 690[5][6]–February 22, 705[7][8]
Dynasty:	Zhou (周)
Temple name:	None[9]
Posthumous name: (short)	Empress Zetian (則天皇后)[10]
Posthumous name: (full)	Empress Zetian Shunsheng (則天順聖皇后)[11]

Wu Zetian (simplified Chinese: 武则天; traditional Chinese: 武則天; pinyin: Wǔ Zétiān) (625^[1][12] – December 16, 705^[2]), personal name Wu Zhao (武曌), often referred to as Heavenly Empress Consort (天后) during Tang Dynasty and Empress Consort Wu (武后) in later times, was the only woman in the history of China to assume the title of Empress Regnant. Events By Topic Religion March 23 - Battle of Uhud ( Muhammad retreats against the inhabitants of Mecca Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Chinese family name is one of the hundreds or thousands of Family names that have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic Chinese given names ( Chinese: 名字 Pinyin: míngzì are often made up of one or two characters Unlike Western personal names there is great variety Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica. Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 The following is a Chronology of the dynasties in Chinese history. Temple names are commonly used when naming most Chinese, Korean ( Goryeo and Joseon periods and Vietnamese (such dynasties as A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty nobles and sometimes others in some cultures after the person's death A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty nobles and sometimes others in some cultures after the person's death Pinyin, more formally Hanyu pinyin, is the most common Standard Mandarin Romanization system in use Events By Topic Religion March 23 - Battle of Uhud ( Muhammad retreats against the inhabitants of Mecca Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Chinese civilization originated in various city-states along the Yellow River ( valley in the Neolithic era The Emperor of China ( refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning since the founding of the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC until the fall of As de facto ruler of China first through her husband and her sons from 665 to 690, not unprecedented in Chinese history, she then broke all precedents when she founded her own dynasty in 690, the Zhou (周) (interrupting the Tang Dynasty), and ruled personally under the name Sacred and Divine Empress Regnant (聖神皇帝) and variations thereof from 690 to 705. Events By Place Europe Swithelm is succeeded by Sighere and Sebbi as king(s of Essex. Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Her rise and reign has been criticized harshly by Confucian historians but has been viewed under a different light after the 1950s. Confucianism ( is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system originally developed from the teachings of the fifth century B The 1950s Decade refers to the years of 1950 to 1959 inclusive

Wu Zetian entered the Tang palace at 13 and became a concubine of Emperor Taizong. Concubinage is the state of a woman or youth in an ongoing quasi-matrimonial relationship with a man of higher social status Emperor Taizong of Tang ( January 23, 599 &ndash July 10 649) personal name Lǐ Shìmín ( was the second emperor of the She did not become a favorite of Taizong's, and after his death in 649, she might have been expected to spend the rest of her life as a Buddhist nun, like his other childless concubines. Events By Place Europe Reccaswinth succeeds his father Chindaswinth as king of the Visigoths. A Bhikkhuni ( Bhikṣuṇī ( Sanskrit), Bhikkhuṇī ( Pāli) or 比丘尼 ( Chinese characters, ภิกษุณี However, through an unlikely fortuity -- that Empress Wang, the wife and empress of Emperor Taizong's son and successor Emperor Gaozong, wanted another beautiful concubine to divert Emperor Gaozong's favors from Consort Xiao, with whom Empress Wang was having a desperate struggle, Empress Wang had her brought back to the palace and made a concubine of Emperor Gaozong. Empress Wang (王皇后 personal name unknown (d 655? was an Empress of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. Background and life as Prince of Jin Li Zhi was born in 628 He was the ninth son of his father Emperor Taizong, and the third son of his mother Emperor Taizong's wife Consort Xiao, imperial consort rank Shufei (蕭淑妃 personal name unknown (d Consort Wu proceeded to defeat both Empress Wang and Consort Xiao in the struggle for Emperor Gaozong's affection, and subsequently, both Empress Wang and Consort Xiao were killed, and she was made empress. She progressively gained more and more influence over the governance of the empire throughout Emperor Gaozong's reign, and toward the end of Emperor Gaozong's reign, she was effectively making most of the major decisions. She was regarded as ruthless in her endeavors to grab power, and was believed by traditional historians to have even killed her own daughter to frame Empress Wang, and her own oldest son Li Hong in a power struggle. Li Hong (李弘 ( 652 - May 25, 675) formally Emperor Xiaojing (孝敬皇帝 literally "the filial and alert emperor" with the She subsequently had another son, Li Xian, deposed and exiled. Li Xian (李賢 (653&ndash684 Courtesy name Mingyun (明允 formally Crown Prince Zhanghuai (章懷太子 named Li De (李德 from 672

After Emperor Gaozong's death in 683, Empress Wu became empress dowager and proceeded to depose yet a third son, Emperor Zhongzong, for displaying independence. 683 is a prime number Events By Place Americas The reign of Pacal the Great, ruler of Maya state of Palenque Empress Dowager ( Chinese: 皇太后 Chinese, Korean Pronunciation: Hwang Tae Hu Japanese Pronunciation: Kōtaigō Vietnamese Pronunciation Background Li Xiǎn was born in 656 as the seventh son of his father Emperor Gaozong and the third son of his mother Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress Wu She then had her youngest son Emperor Ruizong made emperor, but was ruler not only in substance but in appearance as well, as she presided over imperial gatherings and prevented Emperor Ruizong from taking an active role in governance. Background Li Xulun was born in 662 as the youngest son of Emperor Gaozong and his second wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian In 690, she had Emperor Ruizong yield the throne to her and established Zhou Dynasty. The early part of her reign was characterized by secret police terror, which moderated as the years went by. She was, on the other hand, recognized as a capable and attentive ruler even by traditional historians who despised her, and her ability at selecting capable men to serve as officials was admired throughout the rest of Tang Dynasty as well as subsequent dynasties. ^[13] In 705, she was overthrown in a coup, and Emperor Zhongzong was returned to the throne. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 She continued to carry the title of "emperor" until her death later in the year.

Background

The future Wu Zetian's family was from Wenshui (文水, in modern Lüliang, Shanxi). Lüliang (吕梁; Pinyin: Lǚlíang is a Prefecture-level city in Shanxi province in China. ( Postal map spelling: Shansi) is a province in the northern part of the People's Republic of China. Her father was Wu Shihuo (武士彠) (577-635), a member of a wealthy family who used his wealth to gather many friends. Events By Place Europe Battle of Deorham: The Anglo-Saxons under Ceawlin of Wessex defeat the British Celts Events By Topic Religion Saint Aidan founds Lindisfarne in Northumbria, England Her mother was Wu Shihuo's second wife Lady Yang (579-670), a member of the Sui Dynasty imperial clan. Deaths February — Khosrau I, king of Persia Pope Benedict I Theodric, king of Bernicia Events By Place Europe On the death of his brother Clotaire Childeric II becomes king of all of the Frankish kingdoms ( Austrasia The Sui Dynasty ( 581 - 618 AD and in the undertaking of other construction projects including the reconstruction of the Great Wall. ^[14] In late Sui Dynasty, when the general Li Yuan the Duke of Tang was fighting agrarian rebels in the region, he stayed at Wu Shihuo's house and became a friend of Wu Shihuo's. Background and early career Li Yuan's seventh-generation ancestor was Li Gao, the founder of the Sixteen Kingdoms state Western Liang. When Li Yuan was put in charge of Taiyuan in 616, he invited Wu to serve on his staff. Taiyuan ( lit "Great Plains" is a Prefecture-level city and the capital of Shanxi province China. Events By Place Europe Eadbald succeeds Ethelbert as king of Kent. As much of Sui realm was overrun by agrarian rebels at the time, Wu often encouraged Li to rebel as well, a suggestion that Li did not initially accept but eventually did so in 618 after encouragement by his son Li Shimin and associates Liu Wenjing and Pei Ji. Events By Place Asia The Sui Dynasty ends and the Tang Dynasty begins in China. Emperor Taizong of Tang ( January 23, 599 &ndash July 10 649) personal name Lǐ Shìmín ( was the second emperor of the Liu Wenjing (劉文靜 (568-619 Courtesy name Zhaoren (肇仁 formally the Duke of Lu (魯公 was an important official and one-time chancellor Pei Ji (裴寂 (570-629 Courtesy name Xuanzhen (玄真 formally (posthumously created the Duke of Hedong (河東公 was an important official and Late in 618, Li Yuan captured the Sui capital Chang'an and in 619 declared himself emperor (as Emperor Gaozu) of a new dynasty, Tang Dynasty. Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Avars attack Constantinople. The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Wu became the minister of public works and was created the Duke of Ying. He later served successively as the commandant at Li Prefecture (利州, roughly modern Guangyuan, Sichuan) and Jing Prefecture (荊州, roughly modern Jingzhou, Hubei). Guangyuan ( is a Prefecture-level city in Sichuan Province China. ( Postal map spelling: Szechwan and Szechuan) is a province in western China with its capital in Chengdu. Jingzhou ( is a city in the Hubei province of the People's Republic of China, on the banks of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang ( Postal map spelling: Hupeh) is a central province of the People's Republic of China. He died in 635, while still serving as the commandant at Jing Prefecture, shortly after Emperor Gaozu's death, and was believed to have fallen ill and died after mourning Emperor Gaozu bitterly. Events By Topic Religion Saint Aidan founds Lindisfarne in Northumbria, England As Emperor Gaozu's successor Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin) viewed this as a demonstration of great faithfulness, he had Wu buried with honor at his home county of Wenshui. ^[15]

The future Wu Zetian was not born in Wenshui, but it is not clear where she was born, and sources conflict as to when she was born. ^[1] As Wu Shihuo's career took him from Chang'an to Li Prefecture to Jing Prefecture, any of those three places could potentially be her place of birth. She had two older half-brothers, Wu Yuanqing (武元慶) and Wu Yuanshuang (武元爽), born of Wu Shihuo's first wife Lady Xiangli. Her mother had three daughters, and she was the second one -- her older sister later married the official Helan Yueshi (賀蘭越石), while her younger sister later married Guo Xiaoshen (郭孝慎). It was said that after Wu Shihuo's death in 635, Wu Yuanqing, Wu Yuanshuang, and their cousins Wu Weiliang (武惟良) and Wu Huaiyun (武懷運) (sons of Wu Shihuo's brother Wu Shirang (武士讓)^[16]) were disrespectful of Lady Yang, and Lady Yang bore grudge for this. ^[15]

As Emperor Taizong's concubine

History of China
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3 Sovereigns and 5 Emperors
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The future Wu Zetian entered Emperor Taizong's palace when she was 13 years old -- i. Chinese civilization originated in various city-states along the Yellow River ( valley in the Neolithic era The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors ( were mythological rulers of China during the period from c The Xia Dynasty ( of China is the first dynasty to be described in ancient historical records such as Records of the Grand Historian and The Shang Dynasty ( Chinese: 商[[wiktionary 朝|朝]] or Yin Dynasty ( 殷[[wiktionary 代|代]] was according to traditional sources the The Zhou Dynasty ( POJ: Chiu Tiau 1122 BC to 256 BC was preceded by the Shang Dynasty and followed by the Qin Dynasty in China. The Zhou Dynasty ( POJ: Chiu Tiau 1122 BC to 256 BC was preceded by the Shang Dynasty and followed by the Qin Dynasty in China. The Zhou Dynasty ( POJ: Chiu Tiau 1122 BC to 256 BC was preceded by the Shang Dynasty and followed by the Qin Dynasty in China. The Spring and Autumn Period ( was a period in Chinese history which roughly corresponds to the first half of the Eastern Zhou dynasty (from the second half of the 8th century BC The Warring States Period ( also known as the Era of Warring States covers the period from some time in the 5th century BC to the unification of China by the Not to be confused with the Qing Dynasty, the last dynasty of China The Han Dynasty ( 206 BC–220 AD followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. The Han Dynasty ( 206 BC–220 AD followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. The Xin Dynasty ( was a Chinese Dynasty (although strictly speaking it had only one Emperor) which lasted from 9 - 23 AD The Han Dynasty ( 206 BC–220 AD followed the Qin Dynasty and preceded the Three Kingdoms in China. The Three Kingdoms period ( is a period in the History of China, part of an era of disunity called the Six Dynasties following immediately the loss of Cao Wei ( was one of the empires that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period Shu Han ( Traditional Chinese: 蜀漢 Pinyin: Shǔ Hàn sometimes known as the Kingdom of Shu (蜀 shǔ was one of the Three Kingdoms competing Eastern Wu ( Chinese: 東吳 Pinyin: Dōng Wú also known as Sun Wu ( Traditional Chinese: 孫吳 pinyin Sūn Wú refers to a The Jìn Dynasty ( 265 – 420) one of the Six Dynasties, followed the Three Kingdoms period and preceded the Southern and Northern Dynasties The Jìn Dynasty ( 265 – 420) one of the Six Dynasties, followed the Three Kingdoms period and preceded the Southern and Northern Dynasties The Jìn Dynasty ( 265 – 420) one of the Six Dynasties, followed the Three Kingdoms period and preceded the Southern and Northern Dynasties The Sixteen Kingdoms ( or less commonly the Sixteen States, were a collection of numerous short-lived sovereign states in China proper and its neighboring areas This article is about the Southern and Northern Dynasties in China. The Sui Dynasty ( 581 - 618 AD and in the undertaking of other construction projects including the reconstruction of the Great Wall. The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms ( 907-960 was an era of political upheaval in China, beginning in the Tang Dynasty and ending in the Song Dynasty. The Liao Dynasty ( 907 - 1125, also known as the Khitan Empire (契丹國 was an empire in northern China that ruled over the regions of Manchuria The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Xi Xia redirects here For a Chinese general whose name may be transliterated as Xi Xia see Xi Qia The Western Xia Dynasty ( or The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms This is an article for the Jurchen Jin Dynasty (1115–1234 For other Chinese dynasties whose names are also rendered "Jin" in Pinyin, see Jin Dynasty The Yuan Dynasty ( Pinyin: Yuáncháo Dai Ön Ulus (Дай Юан Улс was a ruling Dynasty founded by the Mongol leader Kublai The Ming Dynasty ( or Empire of the Great Ming ( was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol -led Not to be confused with Qin Dynasty, the first dynasty of Imperial China This article discusses history of the state which currently governs Taiwan Area. The history of the People's Republic of China details the history of Mainland China since October 1, 1949, when after a near complete victory See also History of China, History of the People's Republic of China Early 1950s Social revolution The People's Republic of China was founded on See also History of China, History of the People's Republic of China Power struggles after Mao's death See also History of China, History of the People's Republic of China Recovery in the 1990s Post-Tiananmen The Tiananmen Square protests See also History of China, History of the People's Republic of China "Fourth Generation" The Hu-Wen Administration Power transition The Republic of China on Taiwan era ( also known as the postwar era ( refers to the period in Taiwan's history, between the end of World War II This article discusses the history of Taiwan (including the Pescadores) The following is a Chronology of the dynasties in Chinese history. China was the largest economy on earth for most of the recorded history of the past two millennia Chinese Historiography refers to the study of methods and assumptions made in studying Chinese history. Chinese art is Art that whether ancient or modern originated in or is practiced in China or by Chinese artists or performers The history of education in China began with the birth of Chinese civilization. The history of Science and Technology in China is both long and rich with many contributions to science and technology See also Chinese law The origin of the current Law of the People's Republic of China can be traced back to the period of the early 1930s during the establishment of the The recorded military history of China extends from about 1500 BC to the present day The naval history of China dates back thousands of years with archives existing since the late Spring and Autumn Period ( 722 BC - 481 BC) about the The following is a Timeline of the History of China. Between the changing of the dynasties, most dates overlap as ruling periods do not transfer immediately Emperor Taizong of Tang ( January 23, 599 &ndash July 10 649) personal name Lǐ Shìmín ( was the second emperor of the e. , sometime between 636 and 638 -- after Emperor Taizong heard of her beauty. Events By Place Byzantine Empire August 20 — Battle of Yarmuk: Khalid ibn al-Walid 's victory against the Events By Place Asia The Muslims capture Jerusalem, Antioch, Caesarea Maritima and Akko She was given the title of cairen, title for one of the consorts with the fifth rank in Tang's nine-rank system for imperial officials, nobles, and consorts. Imperial consorts of Tang China are organized in eight or nine ranks in addition to the Empress. ^[17][18] Emperor Taizong gave her the name Mei (媚), meaning "delicate. "^[18] (Thus, today Chinese people often refer to her as Wu Mei or Wu Meiniang (武媚娘) when they write about her youth, whereas they refer to her as Empress Wu (武后) when referring to her as empress and empress dowager and Wu Zetian (武則天) when referring to her reign as "emperor. ") When she was summoned to the palace, her mother Lady Yang wept bitterly when saying farewell to her, but she responded, "How do you know that it is not my fortune to meet the Son of Heaven? Why are you crying like a young child?" Lady Yang understood her ambitions, and therefore stopped crying. The Emperor of China ( refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning since the founding of the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC until the fall of

Consort Wu, however, did not appear to be much favored by Emperor Taizong, although it appeared that she did have sexual relations with him at one point. ^[19] According to her own account during her reign later while rebuking the chancellor Ji Xu, there was an occasion during the time she was Emperor Taizong's concubine when she impressed Emperor Taizong with her fortitude:

Emperor Taizong had a horse with the name "Lion Stallion," and it was so large and strong that no one could get on its back. The chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (唐朝宰相 was an office that was semi-formally designated for a number of high level officials at one time during the Chinese Ji Xu (吉頊 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving briefly as chancellor. I was a lady in waiting attending Emperor Taizong, and I suggested to him, "I only need three things to subordinate it: an iron whip, an iron hammer, and a sharp dagger. A lady-in-waiting (also called waiting maid) is a female personal assistant at a Noble court, attending to a queen, a Princess or other I will whip it with the iron whip. If it does not submit, I will hammer its head with the iron hammer. If it still does not submit, I will cut its throat with the dagger. " Emperor Taizong praised my bravery. Do you really believe that you are qualified to dirty my dagger?^[20]

Consort Wu did not have any children with Emperor Taizong. It was said that on one occasion, when Emperor Taizong's crown prince Li Zhi saw her, he was shocked by her beauty. Crown Princess redirects here for the ship see Crown Princess (ship. Background and life as Prince of Jin Li Zhi was born in 628 He was the ninth son of his father Emperor Taizong, and the third son of his mother Emperor Taizong's wife After Emperor Taizong died in 649, Li Zhi became emperor (as Emperor Gaozong), and she and the other imperial consorts who did not have children went to Ganye Temple (感業寺) and became Buddhist nuns. Events By Place Europe Reccaswinth succeeds his father Chindaswinth as king of the Visigoths. A Bhikkhuni ( Bhikṣuṇī ( Sanskrit), Bhikkhuṇī ( Pāli) or 比丘尼 ( Chinese characters, ภิกษุณี

As Emperor Gaozong's concubine

On an anniversary of Emperor Taizong's death,^[21] Emperor Gaozong went to Ganye Temple to offer incense, and when he and Consort Wu saw each other, both of them wept -- and were seen by Emperor Gaozong's wife Empress Wang. Empress Wang (王皇后 personal name unknown (d 655? was an Empress of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. ^[22] At that time, Emperor Gaozong did not favor Empress Wang, and much favored his concubine Consort Xiao; further, Empress Wang did not have any children, and Consort Xiao had one son (Li Sujie) and two daughters (Princesses Yiyang and Xuancheng). Consort Xiao, imperial consort rank Shufei (蕭淑妃 personal name unknown (d Li Sujie (李素節 (646- June 24, 690) formally the Prince of Xu (許王 was an imperial prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty Empress Wang, seeing that Emperor Gaozong was still impressed by Consort Wu's beauty, hoped that the arrival of a new concubine would divert the emperor from Consort Xiao, and therefore secretly told Consort Wu to stop shaving her hair and, at a later point, welcomed her to the palace. (Some modern historians dispute this traditional account, and some think that Consort Wu never actually left the imperial palace and might have had an affair with Emperor Gaozong while Emperor Taizong was still alive. ) Wherever the truth lies, by the early 650s Consort Wu was a concubine of Emperor Gaozong, and she was titled Zhaoyi (昭儀), i. e. the highest ranking of the nine concubines of the second rank. Consort Wu soon overtook Consort Xiao in her favor from Emperor Gaozong. (The taking of a father's concubine -- one who was believed to have had sexual relations with the deceased Emperor Taizong -- was considered incest by traditional Confucian principles. Incest refers to any sexual activity between closely related persons (often within the immediate family that is illegal or socially Taboo. )^[19][23] In 652, she gave birth to her first child, a son named Li Hong. Events By Place Europe Rodoald succeeds his father Rothari as king of the Lombards. Li Hong (李弘 ( 652 - May 25, 675) formally Emperor Xiaojing (孝敬皇帝 literally "the filial and alert emperor" with the In 653, she gave birth to another son, Li Xián. Events Sigeberht II the Good succeeds Sigeberht I the Little as king of Essex. Li Xian (李賢 (653&ndash684 Courtesy name Mingyun (明允 formally Crown Prince Zhanghuai (章懷太子 named Li De (李德 from 672 (Later, after she became empress, she would bear two more sons (Li Xiǎn (note different tone) and Li Dan), and one daughter (the later Princess Taiping). Background Li Xiǎn was born in 656 as the seventh son of his father Emperor Gaozong and the third son of his mother Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress Wu Background Li Xulun was born in 662 as the youngest son of Emperor Gaozong and his second wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian Princess Taiping ( personal name unknown (d August 2, 713) was a princess of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and her mother Wu Zetian For the time being, however, neither of these sons were in contention to be Emperor Gaozong's heir, as Emperor Gaozong had, pursuant to requests of officials instigated by Empress Wang and her uncle, the chancellor Liu Shi, created his oldest son Li Zhong, whose mother Consort Liu was of lowly birth and whose gratitude Empress Wang expected. Liu Shi (柳奭 (d 659 Courtesy name Zishao (子邵 was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, during the reign of Li Zhong (李忠 ( 643 - January 6, 665) Courtesy name Zhengben (正本 formally Prince of Yan (燕王 was a By 654, both Empress Wang and Consort Xiao had lost favor with Emperor Gaozong, and the former romantic rivals joined forces against Consort Wu, but to no avail, and as a sign of his love to Consort Wu, in 654 he conferred posthumous honors on her father Wu Shihuo. Events By Place Europe Rhodes is invaded by an Arab force remains of the Colossus of Rhodes are sold off

Also in 654, shortly after Consort Wu gave birth to a daughter, the daughter died. Events By Place Europe Rhodes is invaded by an Arab force remains of the Colossus of Rhodes are sold off Empress Wang was allegedly seen near the child's room by eyewitnesses, and Emperor Gaozong suspected that she killed the child out of jealousy. She was unable to clear herself in Emperor Gaozong's eyes. (Traditional historians believed that Consort Wu actually killed her own daughter to frame Empress Wang, although it was possible that this allegation was manufactured by historians. )^[24] In anger, Emperor Gaozong considered deposing Empress Wang and replacing her with Consort Wu, but wanted to make sure that the chancellors would support this, and so visited the house of his uncle Zhangsun Wuji, the leader among chancellors, with Consort Wu, awarding him with much treasure, but when he brought up the topic that Empress Wang was sonless (as an excuse for deposing her), Zhangsun repeatedly found ways to divert the conversation, and subsequent visits by Consort Wu's mother Lady Yang and the official Xu Jingzong, who was allied with Consort Wu, to seek support from Zhangsun were also to no avail. Zhangsun Wuji (長孫無忌 (d 659 Courtesy name Fuji (輔機 formally Duke of Zhao (趙公 was a chancellor of the Chinese Xu Jingzong (許敬宗 ( 592 - September 20, 672) Courtesy name Yanzu (延族 formally Duke Gong of Gaoyang (高陽恭公 ^[24]

In summer 655, Consort Wu accused Empress Wang and her mother Lady Liu of using witchcraft. Events By Place Europe November 15 — Northumbrian king Oswiu defeats Mercian king Penda in the In response, Emperor Gaozong barred Lady Liu from the palace and demoted Liu Shi. ^[24] Meanwhile, a faction of officials began to form around Consort Wu, including Li Yifu, Xu, Cui Yixuan (崔義玄), and Yuan Gongyu (袁公瑜). Li Yifu (李義府 (614-666 was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. On an occasion in fall 655, Emperor Gaozong summoned the chancellors Zhangsun, Li Ji, Yu Zhining, and Chu Suiliang to the palace -- which Chu deduced to be regarding the matter of changing the empress. Li Shiji (李世勣 (594- December 31, 669) né Xu Shiji (徐世勣 later known in the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang as Li Ji Yu Zhining (于志寧 (588-665 Courtesy name Zhongmi (仲謐 formally Duke Ding of Yan (燕定公 was a chancellor of the Chinese Chu Suiliang (褚遂良 (597-658 Courtesy name Dengshan (登善 formally Duke of Henan (河南公 was a chancellor of the Chinese Li Ji claimed an illness and refused to attend. At the meeting, Chu vehemently opposed deposing Empress Wang, while Zhangsun and Yu showed their disapproval by silence. Meanwhile, other chancellors Han Yuan and Lai Ji also opposed the move, but when Emperor Gaozong asked Li Ji again, Li Ji's response was, "This is your family matter, Your Imperial Majesty. Han Yuan (韓瑗 (606-659 Courtesy name Boyu (伯玉 formally Duke of Yingchuan (潁川公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Lai Ji (來濟 (610-662 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. Why ask anyone else?" Emperor Gaozong therefore became resolved. He demoted Chu to be a commandant at Tan Prefecture (潭州, roughly modern Changsha, Hunan),^[24] and then deposed both Empress Wang and Consort Xiao, putting them under arrest and creating Consort Wu empress instead to replace Empress Wang. Changsha ( is the Capital city of Hunan, a province of south-central China, located on the lower reaches of Xiang river a branch of the ( is a province of China, located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting (hence the name Hunan, meaning (Later that year, Empress Wang and Consort Xiao were killed on orders by the new Empress Wu after Emperor Gaozong showed signs of considering to release them. After their deaths, however, Empress Wu was often haunted by them in her dreams, for the rest of Emperor Gaozong's reign, Emperor Gaozong and she often took up residence at the eastern capital Luoyang and only infrequently spent time in Chang'an. Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. )^[25]

As Empress Consort

In 656, per advice of Xu Jingzong, Emperor Gaozong deposed Li Zhong to be the Prince of Liang, while creating Li Hong, then carrying the title of Prince of Dai, to be crown prince. Events By Place Europe Oswiu of Northumbria annexes Mercia Asia The Battle of ^[25]

In 657, Empress Wu and her allies began reprisals against officials who had opposed her ascension. Events By Place Asia The Chinese Tang Dynasty under Emperor Gaozong of Tang defeats a Turkish army She first had Xu and Li Yifu, who were by now chancellors, falsely accuse Han Yuan and Lai Ji of being complicit with Chu Suiliang in planning treason. The three of them, along with Liu Shi, were demoted to be prefects of remote prefectures, with provisions that they would never be allowed to return to Chang'an. In 659, she further had Xu accuse Zhangsun Wuji of plotting treason with the low level officials Wei Jifang (韋季方) and Li Chao (李巢). This article is about a year Events By Place Europe Ealdormen in Mercia rebel against Northumbrian rule and Zhangsun was exiled and, later in the year, was forced to commit suicide in exile. Xu further implicated Chu, Liu, Han, and Yu Zhining in the plot as well. Chu, who had died in 658, was posthumously stripped of his titles, and his sons Chu Yanfu (褚彥甫) and Chu Yanchong (褚彥沖) were executed. Events By place Europe The Union of Slavic Tribes falls apart after King Samo 's death Orders were also issued to execute Liu and Han, although Han died before the execution order reached his location. It was said that after this point, no official dared to criticize the emperor any longer. In 660, Li Zhong, who had been fearful that he would be next and had sought out advice of fortunetellers, was also exiled and put under house arrest. Events By Place Europe Slavic principality of Carantania is first mentioned in historical sources ^[25]

Also in 660, Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu toured Bian Prefecture (i. e. , Taiyuan), and Empress Wu had the opportunity to invite her old neighbors and relatives to a feast. ^[25] Later that year, Emperor Gaozong began to suffer from an illness that carried the symptoms of painful headache and loss of vision, generally thought to be hypertension-related,^[26] but which some historians thought might be slow-poisoning by Empress Wu,^[27] and he began to have Empress Wu make rulings on the petitions by the officials. It was said that Empress Wu had quick reactions and understood both literature and history, and therefore was making correct rulings. Thereafter, her authority began to rival Emperor Gaozong's. ^[25]

By 664, however, Empress Wu was said to be so interfering in the imperial governance that she was angering Emperor Gaozong. Events By Place Asia Arab armies conquer Kabul. Kuo Wu Tsung of Tang comes to Japan Further, she had engaged the Taoist sorcerer Guo Xingzhen (郭行真) in using witchcraft -- an act that was prohibited by regulations and which had led to Empress Wang's downfall -- and the eunuch Wang Fusheng (王伏勝) reported this to Emperor Gaozong, further angering him. Taoism (pronounced /ˈdaʊɪzəm/ or /ˈtaʊɪzəm/ also spelled '''Daoism''') refers to a variety of related Philosophical and Religious traditions A eunuch (ˈjuːnək is a Castrated man in particular one castrated early enough to have major hormonal consequences the term usually refers to those castrated in order to He consulted the chancellor Shangguan Yi, who suggested that he depose Empress Wu. Shangguan Yi (上官儀 (d January 4, 665) Courtesy name Youshao (游韶 formally Duke of Chu (楚公 was an official of the He had Shangguan draft an edict, but as Shangguan was doing so, Empress Wu received news of what was happening, and she went to him to plead her case, as he was holding the edict that Shangguan had drafted. Emperor Gaozong could not bear to depose her, and therefore blamed the episode on Shangguan. As both Shangguan and Wang had served on Li Zhong's staff, Empress Wu had Xu falsely accuse Shangguan, Wang, and Li Zhong of planning treason. Shangguan, Wang, and Shangguan's son Shangguan Tingzhi (上官庭芝) were executed, while Li Zhong was forced to commit suicide. ^[28] (Shangguan Tingzhi's daughter Shangguan Wan'er, then an infant, and her mother Lady Zheng became slaves in the inner palace. Shangguan Wan'er ( Traditional Chinese: 上官婉兒 Simplified Chinese: 上官婉儿 (664?&ndash July 21, 710) imperial consort rank After Shangguan Wan'er grew up, she eventually became a trusted secretary for Empress Wu. ) Thereafter, at imperial meetings, she would sit behind a curtain behind Emperor Gaozong, and they became referred to by the public as the "Two Holy Ones" (二聖, Er Sheng). ^[28]

Meanwhile, on Empress Wu's account, her mother Lady Yang had been created the Lady of Rong, and her older sister, now widowed, the Lady of Han. Her brothers Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang and cousins Wu Weiliang and Wu Huaiyun, despite the poor relations that they had with Lady Yang, were promoted. However, at a feast that Lady Yang held for them, Wu Weiliang offended Lady Yang by stating that they did not find it honorable for them to be promoted on account of Empress Wu. Empress Wu therefore requested to have them demoted to remote prefectures -- outwardly to show modesty, but in reality to avenge the offense to her mother. Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang died in effective exile. Meanwhile, in or before 666, Lady of Han died as well, and after her death, Emperor Gaozong created her daughter the Lady of Wei and considered keeping her in the palace -- possibly as a concubine -- but did not immediately do so as he feared that Empress Wu would be displeased. Number of the Beast if you were looking for the It was said that Empress Wu heard of this and was nevertheless displeased, and she had the Lady of Wei poisoned, by placing poison in food offerings that Wu Weiliang and Wu Huaiyun had made, and then blaming Wu Weiliang and Wu Huaiyun for the murder. Wu Weiliang and Wu Huaiyun were executed. ^[15][28]

Also in 666, when Emperor Gaozong offered sacrifices to the gods of heaven and earth at Mount Tai, Empress Wu, in an unprecedented action, offered sacrifices after him, with Princess Dowager Yan, the mother of Emperor Gaozong's brother Li Zhen the Prince of Yue, offering sacrifices after her. Mount Tai ( is a mountain of historical and cultural significance located north of the city of Tai'an, in Shandong Province, China. Li Zhen (李貞 (d 688 formally Prince Jing of Yue (越敬王 posthumously known during Wu Zetian 's reign as Hui Zhen (虺貞 was an imperial prince ^[28]

In 670, Lady Yang died, and by Emperor Gaozong's orders, all of the imperial officials and their wives attended her wake and mourned her. Events By Place Europe On the death of his brother Clotaire Childeric II becomes king of all of the Frankish kingdoms ( Austrasia Later that year, with the realm suffering from a major draught, Empress Wu offered to be deposed, an offer Emperor Gaozong rejected. He further posthumously honored Wu Shihuo (who had previously been posthumously honored the Duke of Zhou) and Lady Yang the Prince and Princess of Taiyuan. ^[28]

Meanwhile, the Lady of Han's son Helan Minzhi (賀蘭敏之) had been given the surname of Wu and allowed to inherit the title of Duke of Zhou. However, as it was becoming clear that he was suspecting Empress Wu of having murdered his sister, Empress Wu began to take precautions against him, who was also said to have had an incestuous relationship with his grandmother Lady Yang. In 671, Helan Minzhi was accused of having disobeyed regulations on mourning during Lady Yang's mourning period, and also of raping the daughter of the official Yang Sijian (楊思儉), whom Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu had previously selected to be the wife and crown princess for Li Hong. Events By Place Europe Perctarit returns from exile to become king of the Lombards. Helan Minzhi was exiled and either was executed in exile or committed suicide. In 674, Empress Wu had Wu Yuanshuang's son Wu Chengsi recalled from exile to inherit the title of Duke of Zhou. Events By Place Europe Dagobert II and Theuderic I succeed Childeric II as king(s of the Franks Wu Chengsi ( Chinese: 武承嗣 Pinyin: Wǔ Chéngsì (d July 22, 698) formally Prince Xuan of Wei (魏宣王 was a nephew of ^[29]

Around the new year 675, Empress Wu submitted 12 suggestions -- the chief of whom were that Laozi (whose name was Li Er), to whom the Tang imperial clan traced its ancestry), should have his work Tao Te Ching be added to the required reading for imperial university students, and that a three-year mourning period should be observed for a mother's death in all cases. Events By Place Europe Æthelred succeeds his brother Wulfhere as king of Mercia Frithuwold of Surrey Laozi ( also Lao Tse, Lao-Tzu, Laotze, Lao Zi, Laocius, and other variations was a philosopher of ancient The Tao Te Ching or Dao De Jing ( originally known as Laozi or Lao tzu ( is a Chinese classic (Previously, such a mourning period was not observed if the father were still alive, but was observed if the father was no longer alive. ) Emperor Gaozong praised her for her suggestions and adopted them. ^[29]

In 675, with Emperor Gaozong's illness getting worse, he considered having Empress Wu formally rule as regent. A regent, from the Latin regens "who reigns" is a person selected to act as Head of state (ruling or not because the ruler is a minor The chancellor Hao Chujun and the official Li Yiyan both opposed, and he did not formally make her regent. Hao Chujun (郝處俊 (607-681 formally Duke of Zengshan (甑山公 was an official and general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as Li Yiyan (李義琰 (d 688 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong However, she began engaging a number of mid-level officials who were literarily talented, including Yuan Wanqing (元萬頃), Liu Yizhi, Fan Lübing, Miao Chuke (苗楚客), Zhou Simao (周思茂), and Han Chubin (韓楚賓), to write a number of works on her behalf, including the Biographies of Notable Women (列女傳), Guidelines for Imperial Subjects (臣軌), and New Teachings for Official Staff Members (百僚新誡). Liu Yizhi (劉禕之 ( 631 - June 22, 687) Courtesy name Ximei (希美 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Fan Lübing (范履冰 (d March 26, 690) was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the first Collectively, they became known as the "North Gate Scholars" (北門學士), because they served inside the palace, which was to the north of the imperial government buildings, and Empress Wu sought advice from them to divert the powers of the chancellors. ^[29]

Also in 675, a number of persons would fall victim to Empress Wu's ire. Empress Wu had been displeased at the favor that Emperor Gaozong had shown his aunt Princess Changle, who had married the general Zhao Gui (趙瓌) and whose daughter had become the wife and princess of her third son Li Xiǎn the Prince of Zhou. Princess Zhao was therefore accused of unspecified crimes and put under arrest, and was eventually starved to death. Zhao Gui and Princess Changle were exiled. Meanwhile, later that month, Li Hong the Crown Prince, who had been trying to urge Empress Wu not to exercise so much influence on Emperor Gaozong's governance and who had offended Empress Wu by requesting that his half-sisters, Consort Xiao's daughters Princess Yiyang and Xuancheng, who had been under house arrest, be allowed to marry, died suddenly. Traditional historians generally believed that Empress Wu poisoned Li Hong to death. Li Xián, then carrying the title of Prince of Yong, was created crown prince. ^[29] Meanwhile, Consort Xiao's son LI Sujie and another son of Emperor Gaozong's, Li Shangjin (李上金), were repeatedly accused by her of crimes and demoted. ^[29]

Empress Wu's relationship with Li Xián also soon deteriorated, as Li Xián had become unsettled after hearing rumors that he was not actually born of Empress Wu but of her sister the Lady of Han, and when Empress Wu heard of his fearfulness, she became angry at him. Further, the sorcerer Ming Chongyan (明崇儼), whom both she and Emperor Gaozong respected and who had stated that Li Xián was unsuitable to inherit the throne, was assassinated in 679, and the assassins were not caught -- causing her to suspect Li Xián to be behind the assassination. Events By Topic Religion Adamnan becomes Abbot of the monastery on Iona. In 680, Li Xián was accused of crimes, and during investigation by the officials Xue Yuanchao, Pei Yan, and Gao Zhizhou, a large number of armors were found in Li Xián's palace, and Empress Wu formally accused Li Xián of treason and of assassinating Ming. Events By Place Europe The Bulgars subjugate the country of current-day Bulgaria. Xue Yuanchao (薛元超 (622-683 formal name Xue Zhen (薛振 but went by the Courtesy name of Yuanchao formally Baron of Fenyin (汾陰男 was an Pei Yan (裴炎 (d November 30, 684) Courtesy name Zilong (子隆 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty Gao Zhizhou (高智周 (602-683 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong Li Xián was deposed and exiled, and LI Xiǎn (who had by now been renamed Li Zhe) was created crown prince. ^[29]

In 681, Princess Taiping was married to Xue Shao (薛紹), the son of Emperor Gaozong's sister Princess Chengyang, in a grand ceremony. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Bulgars win the war with the Byzantine Empire; the latter signs a peace treaty which Empress Wu, initially unimpressed with the lineages of Xue Shao's brothers' wives, wanted to order his brothers to divorce their wives -- stopping only after it was pointed out to her that Lady Xiao, the wife of Xue Shao's older brother Xue Yi (薛顗), was a grandniece of the deceased chancellor Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu (蕭瑀 (574-647 Courtesy name Shiwen (時文 formally Duke Zhenbian of Song (宋貞褊公 was an imperial prince of the Chinese ^[29]

In late 683, Emperor Gaozong died while at Luoyang. 683 is a prime number Events By Place Americas The reign of Pacal the Great, ruler of Maya state of Palenque Li Zhe took the throne (as Emperor Gaozong), but Empress Wu retained actual authority as empress dowager and regent. Empress Dowager ( Chinese: 皇太后 Chinese, Korean Pronunciation: Hwang Tae Hu Japanese Pronunciation: Kōtaigō Vietnamese Pronunciation ^[30]

As Empress Dowager

See also: Emperor Zhongzong of Tang#First reign, Emperor Ruizong of Tang#First reign, Li Jingye, and Li Zhen (Tang Dynasty)

First version of modified character of "Zhao. Background Li Xiǎn was born in 656 as the seventh son of his father Emperor Gaozong and the third son of his mother Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress Wu Background Li Xulun was born in 662 as the youngest son of Emperor Gaozong and his second wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian Li Jingye (李敬業 (d December 29, 684) also known as Xu Jingye (徐敬業 was a grandson of the great Tang Dynasty general Li Shiji Li Zhen (李貞 (d 688 formally Prince Jing of Yue (越敬王 posthumously known during Wu Zetian 's reign as Hui Zhen (虺貞 was an imperial prince "

Second version of modified character of "Zhao. "

Text from Wu Zetian-era stele dedicated to Ji Jin (姬晉), the crown prince of King Ling of Zhou, recorded in legends as having risen to heaven to become a god. Crown Princess redirects here for the ship see Crown Princess (ship. King Ling of Zhou ( ch: 周靈王 Pinyin zhōu líng wáng or King Ling of Chou ( Wg) was the twenty-third sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Under the cosmology of Wu Zetian's reign, her lover Zhang Changzong was a reincarnation of Ji Jin. Zhang Changzong (張昌宗 (d February 20, 705) formally the Duke of Ye (鄴公 nickname Liulang (六郎 was an official of Wu Zetian The text of the stele utilizes modified Chinese characters that she promulgated. Chinese characters of Empress Wu, or the Zetian characters (則天文字 are Chinese characters introduced by Empress Wu Zetian, the only reigning

Immediately, Emperor Zhongzong showed signs of disobeying Empress Dowager Wu -- including an insistence on making his father-in-law Wei Xuanzhen (韋玄貞) Shizhong (侍中, the head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng) and a post considered one for a chancellor) and giving a mid-level office to his wet nurse's son -- despite stern opposition by the chancellor Pei Yan, at one point remarking to Pei:^[30]

What would be wrong even if I gave the empire to Wei Xuanzhen? Why do you care about Shizhong so much?

Pei reported this to Empress Dowager Wu, and she, after planning with Pei, Liu Yizhi, and the generals Cheng Wuting (程務挺) and Zhang Qianxu (張虔勖), deposed him and replaced him with her youngest son Li Dan the Prince of Yu (as Emperor Ruizong). A wet nurse is a woman who breast feeds a baby that is not her own Emperor Zhongzong was reduced to the title of Prince of Luling and exiled. Empress Dowager Wu also sent the general Qiu Shenji (丘神勣) to Li Xián's place in exile and forced Li Xián to commit suicide. Despite Emperor Ruizong's being titularly emperor, Empress Dowager Wu held onto power even more firmly, and the officials were not allowed to meet with Emperor Ruizong, nor was he allowed to rule on matters of state. Rather, the matters of state were ruled on by Empress Dowager Wu. At the suggestion of her nephew Wu Chengsi, she also expanded the ancestral shrine of the Wu ancestors and gave them greater posthumous honors. ^[30]

Soon thereafter, Li Ji's grandson Li Jingye the Duke of Ying, who had been disaffected by his own exile, started a rebellion at Yang Prefecture (揚州, roughly modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu) -- a rebellion that initially drew much popular support in the region. Li Jingye (李敬業 (d December 29, 684) also known as Xu Jingye (徐敬業 was a grandson of the great Tang Dynasty general Li Shiji Administration The Prefecture-level city of Yangzhou administers 7 county-level divisions. ( Postal map spelling: Kiangsu) is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country However, Li Jingye progressed slowly in his attack and did not take advantage of that popular support. Meanwhile, Pei suggested to Empress Dowager Wu that she return imperial authorities to Empress Dowager Wu and argued that doing so would cause the rebellion to collapse on its own, offending her, and she accused him of being complicit with Li Jingye and had him executed -- and demoted, exiled, and killed a number of officials who, when Pei was arrested, tried to speak on his behalf. She sent the general Li Xiaoyi (李孝逸) to attack Li Jingye, and while Li Xiaoyi was initially unsuccessful, he pushed on at the urging of his assistant Wei Yuanzhong and was eventually able to crush Li Jingye's forces. Wei Yuanzhong (魏元忠 (d 707 né Wei Zhenzai (魏真宰 formally Duke Zhen of Qi (齊貞公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Li Jingye fled and was killed in flight. ^[30]

By 685, Empress Dowager Wu began to carry on an affair with the Buddhist monk Huaiyi, and during the next few years, Huaiyi would be progressively bestowed with greater and greater honors. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II succeeds Constantine IV as Emperor of the Byzantine Empire A Bhikkhu ( Pāli) or Bhiksu ( Sanskrit) is a fully ordained male Buddhist Monastic. Huaiyi (懷義 (died December 25, 694) né Feng Xiaobao (馮小寶 sometimes referred to as Xue Huaiyi (薛懷義 was a Buddhist ^[30][31][32]

In 686, Empress Dowager Wu offered to return imperial authorities to Emperor Ruizong, but Emperor Ruizong, knowing that she did not truly intend to do so, declined, and she continued to exercise imperial authority. Events By Place Europe The Kingdom of Kent is attacked and conquered by West Saxons under Caedwalla. Meanwhile, she created copper mailboxes outside the imperial government to encourage the people of the realm to secretly report on others, as she suspected many officials of opposing her. Under these beliefs of hers, secret police officials, including Suo Yuanli, Zhou Xing, and Lai Junchen, began to rise in power and began to carry out systematic false accusations, tortures, and executions of individuals. Suo Yuanli ( (d 691 was a secret police official during the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty who came to prominence due to Zhou Xing (周興 (d 691? was a secret police official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty Lai Junchen ( Chinese: 來俊臣 (d April 28, 697) was a Secret police official during the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty ^[30]

In 688, when Empress Dowager Wu was set to make sacrifices to the god of the Luo River (洛水, flowing through Luoyang), she summoned senior members of Tang's Li imperial clan to Luoyang, and the imperial princes, already concerned that she was considering slaughtering them and taking the throne herself, plotted to resist her. For the submarine see Los Angeles class submarine. ---- Events By Place Europe Emperor Justinian II However, before a rebellion could be comprehensively planned out, Li Zhen and his son Li Chong the Prince of Langye rose first, at their respective posts as prefects of Yu Prefecture (豫州, roughly modern Zhumadian, Henan) and Bo Prefecture (博州, roughly modern Liaocheng, Shandong). Li Chong (李沖 (d September 22, 688) formally the Prince of Langye (琅邪王 posthumously known during Wu Zetian 's reign as Hui Zhumadian ( is a Prefecture-level city in southern Henan province, People's Republic of China. Henan ( is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country Administration The Prefecture-level city of Liaocheng administers 8 county-level divisions, including 1 district, 1 County-level city ( is a coastal province of eastern People's Republic of China. The other princes were not yet ready, however, and did not rise, and forces sent by Empress Dowager Wu and the local forces crushed Li Chong and Li Zhen's forces quickly. Empress Dowager Wu took this opportunity to arrest Emperor Gaozong's granduncles Li Yuanjia (李元嘉) the Prince of Han, Li Lingkui (李靈夔) the Prince of Lu, and Princess Changle, as well as many other members of the Li clan and forced them to commit suicide. Even Princess Taiping's husband Xue Shao was implicated and starved to death. In the subsequent years, there continued to be many politically-motivated massacres of officials and Li clan members. ^[31]

In 690, Empress Dowager Wu's cousin's son Zong Qinke submitted a number of modified Chinese characters intended to showcase Empress Dowager Wu's greatness. Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Zong Qinke (宗秦客 (d 691? was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving briefly as chancellor Chinese characters of Empress Wu, or the Zetian characters (則天文字 are Chinese characters introduced by Empress Wu Zetian, the only reigning She adopted them, and she took one of the modified characters, Zhao (曌), to be her formal name (i. e. , the name by which the people would exercise naming taboo on). Naming taboo is a cultural taboo against speaking or writing the given names of exalted persons in China and neighboring nations in the ancient Chinese cultural sphere 曌 was made from two other characters: Ming (明) on top, meaning "light" or "clarity," and Kong (空) on the bottom, meaning "sky. " The implication appeared to be that she would be like the light shining from the sky. (Zhao (照), meaning "shine," from which 曌 was derived, might have been her original name, but evidence of that is inconclusive. )^[4] Later that year, after successive petition drives, initially started by the low-level official Fu Youyi, began to occur in waves, asking her to take the throne herself, Emperor Ruizong offered to take the name of Wu as well. Fu Yauwei (傅遊藝 (d August 24, 691) known as Wu Youyi (武遊藝 during the reign of Wu Zetian, was an official of the Chinese On August 18, 690,^[5] she approved of the requests. Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica. She changed the name of the state to Zhou, claiming ancestry from Zhou Dynasty, and took the throne herself as "emperor" (with the title of Emperor Shengshen). The Zhou Dynasty ( POJ: Chiu Tiau 1122 BC to 256 BC was preceded by the Shang Dynasty and followed by the Qin Dynasty in China. Emperor Ruizong was reduced made crown prince with the atypical title of Huangsi (皇嗣). ^[31] This thus interrupted Tang Dynasty, and she became the first (and only) woman to reign over China as "emperor. "^[33]

As Empress Regnant

Traditional Chinese order of succession (akin to the Salic law in Europe) did not allow a woman to ascend the throne, but Wu Zetian was determined to quash the opposition, and the use of the secret police did not subside, but continued, after her taking the throne. An order of succession is a formula or algorithm that determines who inherits an office upon the death resignation or removal of its current occupant Salic law ( Lat Lex Salica) was an important body of traditional Law codified for governing the Salian Franks in the Early Middle Ages However, while her organization of the civil service system was criticized for its laxity of the promotion of officials, Wu Zetian was considered capable of evaluating the performance of the officials once they were in office. The Song Dynasty historian Sima Guang, in his Zizhi Tongjian, commented:^[34]

Even though the Empress Dowager^[35] excessively used official titles to cause people to submit to her, but if she saw that someone was incompetent, she would immediately depose or even execute him. The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Life profession and works He was born in 1019 in present-day Yuncheng Shanxi to a wealthy family and obtained early success as a scholar and officer The Zizhi Tongjian ( was a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography. She grasped the powers of punishment and award, controlled the state, and made her own judgments as to policy decisions. She was observant and had good judgment, so the talented people of the time also were willing to be used by her.

Early reign

Shortly after Wu Zetian took the throne, she elevated the status of Buddhism to be above Taoism, officially sanctioning the religion by building temples named Dayun Temple (大雲寺) in each prefecture belonging to the capital regions of the two capitals Luoyang and Chang'an, and also created nine senior monks dukes. Taoism (pronounced /ˈdaʊɪzəm/ or /ˈtaʊɪzəm/ also spelled '''Daoism''') refers to a variety of related Philosophical and Religious traditions She also enshrined seven generations of Wu ancestors at the imperial ancestral temple, although she also continued to offer sacrifices to the three emperors of Tang (Emperors Gaozu, Taizong, and Gaozong). ^[31]

An issue that she faced was the issue of succession. At the time she took the throne, she created Li Dan, the former Emperor Ruizong, crown prince, and bestowed the name of Wu on him. ^[31] However, the official Zhang Jiafu instigated the commoner Wang Qingzhi (王慶之) into starting a petition drive to make her nephew Wu Chengsi crown prince, arguing that an emperor named Wu should pass the throne to a member of the Wu clan. Zhang Jiafu (張嘉福 (d July 25, 710) was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty briefly Wu Zetian was tempted to do so, and when the chancellors Cen Changqian and Ge Fuyuan opposed sternly, they, along with fellow chancellor Ouyang Tong, were executed. Cen Changqian (岑長倩 (d November 7, 691) briefly known as Wu Changqian (武長倩 during the reign of Wu Ge Fuyuan (格輔元 (d November 7, 691) was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving Ouyang Tong (歐陽通 (d November 7, 691) formally the Viscount of Bohai (渤海子 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty Nevertheless, she declined Wang's request to make Wu Chengsi crown prince, but for a time allowed Wang to freely enter the palace to see her. On one occasion, however, when Wang angered her by coming to the palace too much, she asked the official Li Zhaode to batter Wang -- and Li Zhaode took the opportunity to batter Wang to death, and his group of petitioners scattered. Li Zhaode (李昭德 (d April 28, 697) was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty and at one point served as chancellor. Li Zhaode then persuaded Wu Zetian to keep Li Dan as crown prince -- pointing out that a son was closer in relations than a nephew, and also that if Wu Chengsi became emperor, Emperor Gaozong would never again be worshipped. Wu Zetian agreed, and for some time did not again consider the matter. ^[31] Further, at Li Zhaode's warning that Wu Chengsi was becoming too powerful, Wu Zetian stripped Wu Chengsi of his chancellor authority and bestowed on him largely honorific titles without actual authority. ^[32]

Meanwhile, the powers of the secret police officials continued, but appeared to be curbed starting about 692, when Lai Junchen was foiled in his attempt to have the chancellors Ren Zhigu, Di Renjie, Pei Xingben, and other officials Cui Xuanli (崔宣禮), Lu Xian (盧獻), Wei Yuanzhong, and Li Sizhen (李嗣真) executed, as Di, under arrest, hid a secret petition inside a change of clothes and had it submitted by his son Di Guangyuan (狄光遠). Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Ren Zhigu (任知古 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving briefly as chancellor. Dí Rénjié ( ( 630 - August 15, 700) Courtesy name Huaiying (懷英 formally Duke Wenhui of Liang (梁文惠公 was Pei Xingben (裴行本 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving briefly as chancellor. The seven were still exiled, but after this incident, particularly at the urging of Li Zhaode, Zhu Jingze, and Zhou Ju (周矩), the waves of politically-motivated massacres decreased, although did not end entirely. Zhu Jingze (朱敬則 (635-709 Courtesy name Shaolian (少連 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian ^[32]

Also in 692, Wu Zetian commissioned the general Wang Xiaojie to attack Tufan, and Wang recaptured the four garrisons of Xiyu that had fallen to Tufan in 670 -- Qiuzi, Yutian, Shule, and Suiye. Wang Xiaojie (王孝傑 (d February 8, 697) formally the Duke of Geng (耿公 was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty Definitions of Tibet See also Definitions of Tibet Name In English The English word Tibet, like the word for Tibet in most European The Western Regions or Xiyu ( was a historical name specified in the Chinese chronicles between the 3rd century BC to 8th century that referred to the regions west of Jade Events By Place Europe On the death of his brother Clotaire Childeric II becomes king of all of the Frankish kingdoms ( Austrasia Kucha or Kuche (also Kuçar, Kuchar) Uyghur ( كۇچار) Chinese Simplified 库车; Traditional 庫車 The Keriya (Kériye County ( Chinese: 于田县 Pinyin: Yútián Xiàn كېرىيە ناھىيىسى|Kériye Nahiyisi|Keriyə Nah̡iyisi is a county within the Kashgar or Kashi (officially transliterated as Kaxgar in Uyghur; قەشقەر/K̡ǝxk̡ǝr, is an Oasis Suyab ( also known as Ordukent, modern-day Ak-Beshim) was an ancient Silk Road city located some 60 km north east from Bishkek, and 6 km southeast ^[32]

In 693, after Wu Zetian's trusted lady in waiting Wei Tuan'er (韋團兒), who hated Li Dan (the reason why she did so is lost to history), falsely accused Li Dan's wife Crown Princess Liu and Consort Dou of using witchcraft, Wu Zetian had Crown Princess Liu and Consort Dou killed. Events By Place Europe The Portuguese city of Viseu is taken from the Byzantine Empire by the Moors. A lady-in-waiting (also called waiting maid) is a female personal assistant at a Noble court, attending to a queen, a Princess or other Empress Liu (劉皇后 personal name unknown (died 693 formally Empress Sumingshunsheng (肅明順聖皇后 literally "the solemn understanding serene and holy Li Dan, fearful that he was to be next, did not dare to speak of them. When Wei further planned to falsely accuse Li Dan, however, someone else informed on her, and she was executed. Wu Zetian nevertheless had Li Dan's sons demoted in their princely titles, and when the officials Pei Feigong (裴匪躬) and Fan Yunxian (范雲仙) were accused of secretly meeting Li Dan, she executed Pei and Fan and further barred officials from meeting Li Dan. There were then accusations that Li Dan was plotting treason, and under Wu Zetian's direction, Lai launched an investigation. Lai arrested Li Dan's servants and tortured them -- and the torture was such that many of them were ready to falsely implicate themselves and Li Dan. One of Li Dan's servants, An Jinzang (安金藏), however, proclaimed Li Dan's innocence and cut his own belly open to swear the that fact. When Wu Zetian heard of what An did, she had doctors attend to An and barely saved his life, and then ordered Lai to end the investigation, thus saving Li Dan. ^[32]

In 694, Li Zhaode, who had become powerful after Wu Chengsi's removal, was himself thought to be too powerful, and Wu Zetian removed him. Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims ^[32] Also around this time, she became highly impressed with a group of mystic individuals -- the hermit Wei Shifang (on whom she bestowed a chancellor title briefly), who claimed to be over 350 years old; an old Buddhist nun who claimed to be a Buddha and capable of predicting the future; and a non-Han man who claimed to be 500 years old. Wei Shifang (韋什方 (d 695 also known as Wu Shifang (武什方 was briefly a chancellor during Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty Han Chinese ( are an Ethnic group native to China and by most modern definitions the largest single Ethnic group in the world. However, in 695, after the imperial meeting hall (明堂) and the Heavenly Hall (天堂) were burned by Huaiyi (who was jealous at Wu Zetian's taking on another lover, the imperial physician Shen Nanqiu (沈南璆)), Wu Zetian became angry at these individuals for failing to predict the fire; the old nun and her students were arrested and made into slaves; Wei committed suicide; and the old non-Han man fled. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The people of Byzantium revolt against Justinian II. Subsequently, she also put Huaiyi to death. After this incident, she appeared to pay less attention to mysticism and was even more dedicated than before to the affairs of state. ^[32]

Middle reign

However, Wu Zetian's administration was soon in for various troubles on the western and then northern borders. In spring 696, an army she sent, commanded by Wang Xiaojie and Lou Shide against Tufan, was soundly defeated by Tufan generals, ther brothers Lun Qinling (論欽陵) and Lun Zanpo (論贊婆), and as a result, she demoted Wang to commoner rank and Lou to be a low level prefectural official, although she eventually restored both of them to general positions. Events Births Deaths Prince Takechi of Japan Map-bms696 Lou Shide (婁師德 (630-699 Courtesy name Zongren (宗仁 formally Viscount Zhen of Qiao (譙貞子 was an official and general of the Chinese ^[32]

A much more serious threat arose in summer 696. The Khitan chieftains Li Jinzhong and Sun Wanrong, brothers-in-law, angry over the mistreatment of the Khitan people by the Zhou official Zhao Wenhui (趙文翽), the prefect of Ying Prefecture (營州, roughly modern Zhaoyang, Liaoning), rebelled, with Li assuming the title of Wushang Khan (無上可汗). Li Jinzhong (李盡忠 (d September 23, 696) titled Wushang Khan (無上可汗 literally "the khan that had no superior" was a Sun Wanrong (孫萬榮 (d 697 was a khan of the Khitan people who along with his brother-in-law Li Jinzhong, rose against Chinese hegemony in 696 with Li Jinzhong Chaoyang may refer to Chaoyang Liaoning, city in Liaoning China Chaoyang County, county in Chaoyang Liaoning Chaoyang ( is a northeastern province of the People's Republic of China. Armies that Wu Zetian sent to suppress Li and Sun's rebellion were defeated by Khitan forces, which in turn attacked Zhou proper. Meanwhile, the Eastern Tujue khan Ashina Mochuo offered to submit, and yet was also launching attacks against Zhou and Khitan -- including an attack against Khitan base of operations in winter 696 shortly after Li's death at that time that captured Li's and Sun's families and temporarily halted Khitan operations against Zhou. Göktürks ( Turkish: Gök Türkler) were a Turkic people of ancient Central Asia. Qapaghan Khaghan (or Ashina Mo-ch'o, Ashina Mochuo r 694-716 was the second Khaghan of the Second Gokturk Empire, and brother of ^[32] Sun, after taking over as khan and reorganizing Khitan forces, again attacked Zhou territory and had many victories over Zhou forces, including a battle during which Wang Shijie was killed. ^[32][36] Wu Zetian tried to allay the situation by making peace with Ashina Mochuo at fairly costly terms -- the return of Tujue people who had previously submitted to Zhou and providing Ashina Mochuo with seeds, silk, tools, and iron. In summer 697, Ashina Mochuo launched another attack on Khitan's base of operations, and this time, after his attack, Khitan forces collapsed, and Sun was killed in flight, ending the Khitan threat. Events By Place Asia Emperor Mommu succeeds Empress Jitō on the throne of Japan ^[36]

Meanwhile, also in 697, Lai Junchen, who had at one point lost power but had then returned to power, falsely accused Li Zhaode (who had been pardoned) of crimes, and then planned to falsely accuse Li Dan, Li Zhe, the Wu clan princes, and Princess Taiping, of treason. The Wu clan princes and Princess Taiping acted first against him, accusing him of crimes, and he and Li Zhaode were executed together. After Lai's death, the reign of the secret police largely ended, and many of the victims of Lai and the other secret police officials were gradually exonerated posthumously. ^[36] Meanwhile, around this time, Wu Zetian began to engage herself with two new lovers -- the brothers Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong, who became honored within the palace and were eventually created dukes. Zhang Yizhi (張易之 (d February 20, 705) formally the Duke of Heng (恆公 nickname Wulang (五郎 was an official of Wu Zetian Zhang Changzong (張昌宗 (d February 20, 705) formally the Duke of Ye (鄴公 nickname Liulang (六郎 was an official of Wu Zetian ^[36][37]

Around 698, Wu Chengsi and another nephew of Wu Zetian's, Wu Sansi the Prince of Liang, were repeatedly making attempts to have officials persuade Wu Zetian to create one of them crown prince -- again citing the reason that an emperor should pass the throne to someone of the same clan. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Wu Sansi (武三思 (d August 7, 707) formally Prince Xuan of Liang (梁宣王 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty However, Di Renjie, who by now had become a trusted chancellor, was firmly against the idea and instead proposed that Li Zhe be recalled. He was supported in this by fellow chancellors Wang Fangqing and Wang Jishan, as well as Wu Zetian's close advisor Ji Xu, who further persuaded the Zhang brothers to support the idea as well. Wang Fangqing (王方慶 (d 702 formal name Wang Lin (王綝 but went by the Courtesy name of Fangqing formally Duke Zhen of Shiquan (石泉貞公 Wang Jishan (王及善 ( 618 - August 28, 699) formally Duke Zhen of Xing (邢貞公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Ji Xu (吉頊 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving briefly as chancellor. In spring 698, Wu Zetian agreed and recalled Li Zhe from exile. Soon, Li Dan offered to yield the crown prince position to Li Zhe, and Wu Zetian created Li Zhe crown prince, and soon changed his name back to Li Xiǎn and then Wu Xian. ^[36]

Meanwhile, as per the peace treaty with Eastern Tujue, Wu Zetian sent her grandnephew Wu Yanxiu (武延秀) to Eastern Tujue to marry one of Ashina Mochuo's daughters -- but Ashina Mochuo had no actual intention to cement the treaty with a marriage; instead, when Wu Yanxiu arrived, he detained Wu Yanxiu and then launched a major attack on Zhou, advancing as far south as Zhao Prefecture (趙州, in modern Shijiazhuang, Hebei) before withdrawing. Shijiazhuang ( literally "The Stones' Village" is a Prefecture-level city and the Capital of Hebei province, China ( Postal map spelling: Hopeh) is a northern province of the People's Republic of China. ^[36]

In 699, however, at least the Tufan threat would cease. Events By Place Asia Umayyad general Hajjaj suppresses a rebellion by Ibn al-Ash'ath The Tufan king 'Dus-rong Mang-po-rje, unhappy that Lun Qinling was monopolizing power, took an opportunity when Lun Qinling was away from the capital Lhasa to slaughter Lun Qinling's associates. ˈDus-rong Mang-po-rje or Tridu Songtsän (༷༷༷༷ Tibetan:འདུས་རོང་མང་པོ་རྗེ་ Wylie: ˈDul srong mang po Lhasa, ( in English l̥ʰásə or in Tibetan; Chinese: 拉萨 Pinyin: Lāsà sometimes spelled Lasa, is the administrative capital of the He then defeated Lun Qinling in battle, and Lun Qinling committed suicide. Lun Zanpo and Lun Qinling's son Lun Gongren (論弓仁) surrendered to Zhou. After this, Tufan was under internal turmoil for several years, and there was peace for Zhou on the Tufan border. ^[36]

Also in 699, Wu Zetian, realizing that she was growing old, feared that after her death, Li Xian and the Wu clan princes would not be able to have peace with each other, and she made him, Li Dan, Princess Taiping, Princess Taiping's second husband Wu Youji (a nephew of hers) the Prince of Ding, and other Wu clan princes to swear an oath to each other. Wu Youji (武攸暨 (d July 17, 712) formally Prince Zhongjian of Ding (定忠簡王 was an imperial prince of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty ^[36]

Late reign

Estimated territorial extent of Wu Zetian's empire.

As Wu Zetian grew older, Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong became increasingly powerful, and even the princes of the Wu clan flattered them. She also increasingly relied them to handle the affairs of state. This was secretly discussed and criticized by her grandson Li Chongrun the Prince of Shao (Li Xian's son), granddaughter Li Xianhui (李仙蕙) the Lady Yongtai (Li Chongrun's sister), and Li Xianhui's husband Wu Yanji (武延基) the Prince of Wei (Wu Zetian's grandnephew and Wu Chengsi's son), but somehow the discussion was leaked, and Zhang Yizhi reported this to Wu Zetian. Li Chongrun (李重潤 ( 682 - October 8, 701) né Li Chongzhao (李重照 formally Crown Prince Yide (懿德太子 was an imperial She ordered the three of them to commit suicide. ^[38][39]

Despite her old age, however, Wu Zetian continued to be interested in finding talented officials and promoting them, and individuals that she promoted in her old age included, among others, Cui Xuanwei and Zhang Jiazhen. Cui Xuanwei (崔玄暐 (638-706 né Cui Ye (崔曄 formally Prince Wenxian of Boling (博陵文獻王 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Zhang Jiazhen (張嘉貞 ( 666 - September 19 729) formally Marquess Gongsu of Hedong (河東恭肅侯 was an official of the Chinese ^[37]

By 703, Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong had become resentful of Wei Yuanzhong, who by now was a senior chancellor, for dressing down their brother Zhang Changyi (張昌儀) and rejecting the promotion of another brother Zhang Changqi (張昌期). Events Births An Lushan, military leader during the Tang Dynasty (d They were also fearful that if Wu Zetian died, Wei would find a way to execute them, and therefore accused Wei and Gao Jian (高戩), an official favored by Princess Taiping, of speculating on Wu Zetian's old age and death. They initially got Wei's subordinate Zhang Shuo to agree to corroborate the charges, but once Zhang Shuo was before Wu Zetian, he instead accused Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong of forcing him to bear false witness. Zhang Shuo (張說 (663-730 Courtesy name Daoji (道濟 or Shuozhi (說之 formally Duke Wenzhen of Yan (燕文貞公 was an official As a result, Wei, Gao, and Zhang Shuo were exiled, but escaped death. ^[37]

Removal and death

In fall 704, there began to be accusations of corruption levied against Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong, as well as their brothers Zhang Changqi, Zhang Changyi, and Zhang Tongxiu (張同休). Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Zhang Tongxiu and Zhang Changyi were demoted, but even though the officials Li Chengjia (李承嘉) and Huan Yanfan advocated that Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong be removed as well, Wu Zetian, taking the suggestion of the chancellor Yang Zaisi, did not remove them. Huan Yanfan (桓彥範 (653-706 Courtesy name Shize (士則 formally Prince Zhonglie of Fuyang (扶陽忠烈王 briefly known during the reign of Yang Zaisi (楊再思 (d 709 formally Duke Gong of Zheng (鄭恭公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Subsequently, charges of corruption against Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong were renewed by the chancellor Wei Anshi. Wei Anshi (韋安石 (651-714 formally Duke Wenzhen of Xun (郇文貞公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian ^[37]

In winter 704, Wu Zetian became seriously ill for a period, and only the Zhang brothers were allowed to see her; the chancellors were not. This led to speculation that Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong were plotting to take over the throne, and there were repeated accusations of treason. Once her conditions became better, Cui Xuanwei advocated that only Li Xian and Li Dan be allowed to attend to her -- a suggestion that she did not accept. After further accusations against the Zhang brothers by Huan and Song Jing, Wu Zetian allowed Song to investigate, but before the investigation was completed, she issued a pardon for Zhang Yizhi, derailing Song's investigation. Song Jing (宋璟 ( 663 - November 21, 737) formally Duke Wenzhen of Guangping (廣平文貞公 was an official of the Chinese ^[37]

Commemorative stele at Qianling Mausoleum, where Wu Zetian and her husband Emperor Gaozong were buried. The Qianling Mausoleum ( is a Tang Dynasty (618&ndash907 tomb site located in Qian County, Shaanxi province China, and is 85 km (53 miles

By spring 705, Wu Zetian was again seriously ill. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Cui and Huan, as well as Zhang Jianzhi, Jing Hui, and Yuan Shuji, planned a coup to kill the Zhang brothers. Zhang Jianzhi (張柬之 (625-706 Courtesy name Mengjiang (孟將 formally Prince Wenzhen of Hanyang (漢陽文貞王 was an official of the JIng Hui (敬暉 (d 706 Courtesy name Zhongye (仲瞱 formally Prince Sumin of Pingyang (平陽肅愍王 was an official of the Chinese Yuan Shuji (袁恕己 (d 706 formally Prince Zhenlie of Nanyang (南陽貞烈王 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu They convinced the generals Li Duozuo, Li Dan (李湛, note different character than the former emperor), and Yang Yuanyan (楊元琰) and another chancellor, Yao Yuanzhi, to be involved. Li Duozuo ( Hangul: 이다조 (d August 7, 707) formally the Prince of Liaoyang (遼陽王 was an ethnically Mohe general of Yao Chong (姚崇 ( 650 - September 28, 721) né Yao Yuanchong (姚元崇 known 700s-713 by the Courtesy name of Yuanzhi With agreement from Li Xian as well, they acted on February 20,^[40], killing Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong, and then had Changsheng Hall (長生殿), where Wu Zetian was residing, surrounded. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment They then reported to her that the Zhang brothers had been executed for treason, and then forced her to yield the throne to Li Xian. On February 21, an edict was issued in her name that made Li Xian regent, and on February 22, an edict was issued in her name passing the throne to Li Xian. On February 23, Li Xian formally retook the throne, and the next day, Wu Zetian, under heavy guard, was moved to the subsidiary palace Shangyang Palace (上陽宮), but was nevertheless honored with the title of Empress Regnant Zetian Dasheng (則天大聖皇帝). ^[37] On March 3,^[41] Tang Dynasty was restored, ending Zhou. Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian ^[42] She died on December 16,^[2] and, pursuant to a final edict issued in her name, was no longer referred to as emperor, but instead as Empress Zetian Dasheng (則天大聖皇后). Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion ^[42] In 706, Wu Zetian's son Emperor Zhongzong had Wu Zetian interred in a joint burial with his father Emperor Gaozong at the Qianling, located near the capital Chang'an on Mount Liang. Events By region July 2 - In China, Emperor Zhongzong of Tang had the remains of his mother and recently-deceased ruling empress Background Li Xiǎn was born in 656 as the seventh son of his father Emperor Gaozong and the third son of his mother Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress Wu Background and life as Prince of Jin Li Zhi was born in 628 He was the ninth son of his father Emperor Taizong, and the third son of his mother Emperor Taizong's wife The Qianling Mausoleum ( is a Tang Dynasty (618&ndash907 tomb site located in Qian County, Shaanxi province China, and is 85 km (53 miles Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. Emperor Zhongzong also buried at Qianling his brother Li Xián, son Li Chongrun, and daughter Li Xianhui (李仙蕙) the Lady Yongtai (posthumously honored as the Princess Yongtai) — victims of Wu Zetian's wrath. Li Xian (李賢 (653&ndash684 Courtesy name Mingyun (明允 formally Crown Prince Zhanghuai (章懷太子 named Li De (李德 from 672 Li Chongrun (李重潤 ( 682 - October 8, 701) né Li Chongzhao (李重照 formally Crown Prince Yide (懿德太子 was an imperial

Evaluation

Although short-lived, the Zhou Dynasty, according to some historians, resulted in better equality between the sexes during the succeeding Tang Dynasty. Social equality is a social state of affairs in which all people within a specific society or isolated group have the same status in a certain respect Sexism is the belief or attitude that one Gender or Sex is inferior to or less valuable than the other and can also refer to a Hatred or distrust towards

Considering the events of her life, literary allusions to Wu Zetian can carry several connotations: a woman who has inappropriately overstepped her bounds, the hypocrisy of preaching compassion while simultaneously engaging in a pattern of corrupt and vicious behavior, and ruling by pulling strings in the background. An allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference or representation of or to a well-known person place event literary work myth, or work of art Hypocrisy (or the state of being a hypocrite) is the act of preaching a certain belief religion or way of life but not in fact holding these same virtues oneself Compassion is a profound human Emotion prompted by the pain of others Political corruption is the use of governmental powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain For many centuries, Wu was used by the Chinese establishment as an example of what can go wrong when a woman is placed in charge. Such sexist opposition to her was only lifted during the late 1960s, when Mao Zedong's wife Jiang Qing rehabilitated Wu as part of a propaganda campaign to suggest herself as a successor to her ailing husband. Mao Zedong ( 26 December 1893 – 9 September 1976) was a Chinese Military and political leader who led Jiang Qing ( March 14, 1914 May 14, 1991) is the Pseudonym that was used by Chinese leader Mao Zedong 's last wife In his biography Wu, British author Jonathan Clements has pointed out that these wildly differing uses of a historical figure have often led to schizophrenic and often hysterical characterisations. Jonathan Clements (born July 9, 1971) is a British author and scriptwriter Many alleged "poisonings" and other incidents, such as the premature death of her daughter, may have rational explanations -- for example, Empress Wang did smother the child -- but have been twisted by later opponents. Clements also notes the changing status of Wu Zetian in Chinese historiography -- modern TV drama and movies about her (of which there are many) usually present her as a Cinderella-figure for the entertainment of a female audience, and not the bugbear of old. Cinderella ( French: Cendrillon, Slovak: Popoluška, German: Aschenputtel, Spanish: Cenicienta

The traditional Chinese historical view on her was generally mixed -- admiring her for her abilities in governing the state, but villifying her for her actions in doing so. Typical was a commentary by the Later Jin Dynasty historian Liu Xu, the lead editor of the Book of Tang:^[43]

The year that Lady Wu declared herself regent, heroic individuals were all mournful of the unfortunate turn of events, worried that the dynasty would fall, and concerned that they could not repay the grace of the deceased emperor [i. Note that there are four periods of Chinese history using the name "Jin" (see clarification here. The Book of Tang ( or the Old Book of Tang (舊唐書/旧唐书 is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. e. , Emperor Gaozong] and protect his sons. Soon thereafter, great accusations arose, and many innocent people were falsely accused and stuck their necks out in waiting for execution. Heaven and earth became like a huge cage, and even if one could escape it, where could he go? That was lamentable. In the past, the trick of covering the nose^[44] surprised the realm in its poisonousness, and the disaster of the human pig^[45] caused the entire state to mourn. In order to take over as empress, Empress Wu strangled her own infant daughter; her willingness to crush her own flesh and blood showed how great her viciousness and vile nature was, although this is nothing more than what evil individuals and jealous women might do. However, she accepted the words of righteousness and honored the upright. Although she was like a hen that crowed, she eventually returned the rightful rule to her son. She quickly dispelled the accusation against Wei Yuanzhong, comforted Di Renjie with kind words, respected the will of the times and suppressed her favorites, and listened to honest words and ended the terror of the secret police officials. This was good, this was good.

Second Zhou Dynasty (690 - 705)

Chancellors during reign

• Cen Changqian (690-691)
• Wu Chengsi (690-692, 697)
• Xing Wenwei (690)
• Wu Youning (690-691, 691-692, 698^[46]-699)
• Fu Youyi (690-691)
• Shi Wuzi (690-691)
• Zong Qinke (690)
• Le Sihui (691)
• Ren Zhigu (691-692)
• Ge Fuyuan (691)
• Ouyang Tong (691)
• Pei Xingben (691-692)
• Di Renjie (691-692, 697^[46]-700)
• Yang Zhirou (692)
• Li Youdao (692)
• Yuan Zhihong (692)
• Cui Shenji (692)
• Cui Yuanzong (692-694)
• Li Zhaode (692-694)
• Yao Shu (692, 694-697)
• Li Yuansu (692, 694-696)
• Wang Xuan (692)
• Lou Shide (693-696, 697^[46]-699)
• Wei Juyuan (693-694, 700)
• Lu Yuanfang (693-694, 699-700^[46])
• Doulu Qinwang (693-694, 697-698, 699-700)
• Su Weidao (693-694, 698-704)
• Wang Xiaojie (693-696)
• Wei Shifang (694)
• Yang Zaisi (694-699, 704-705)
• Du Jingjian (694, 697-698)
• Zhou Yunyuan (694-695)
• Sun Yuanheng (696)
• Wang Fangqing (696-698)
• Li Daoguang (696-698)
• Wang Jishan (697-699)
• Zong Chuke (697-698, 704)
• Wu Sansi (697, 698^[46]-700^[46])
• Yao Chong (698-704, 704-705)
• Li Jiao (698-700, 703-704)
• Ji Xu (699-700)
• Wei Yuanzhong (699-703)
• Zhang Xi (700-701)
• Wei Anshi (700-705)
• Li Huaiyuan (701)
• Gu Cong (701-702)
• Li Jiongxiu (701-704)
• Zhu Jingze (703-704)
• Tang Xiujing (703-705)
• Wei Sili (704)
• Cui Xuanwei (704-705)
• Zhang Jianzhi (704-705)
• Fang Rong (704-705)
• Wei Chengqing (704-705)
• Yuan Shuji (705)

Personal information

• Father
  • Wu Shihuo (武士彠) (d. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Events By Place Asia Empress Gemmei succeeds to the Japanese throne Cen Changqian (岑長倩 (d November 7, 691) briefly known as Wu Changqian (武長倩 during the reign of Wu Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own See 691 (number Events By Place Europe Theuderic III is succeeded by Clovis III as king of Austrasia Wu Chengsi ( Chinese: 武承嗣 Pinyin: Wǔ Chéngsì (d July 22, 698) formally Prince Xuan of Wei (魏宣王 was a nephew of Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Events By Place Asia Emperor Mommu succeeds Empress Jitō on the throne of Japan Xing Wenwei (邢文偉 (d 690? was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the first reign of Emperor Ruizong Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Wu Youning (武攸寧 formally the Duke of Jiang (江公 was an imperial prince during the reign of Wu Zetian and served as chancellor both during her Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own See 691 (number Events By Place Europe Theuderic III is succeeded by Clovis III as king of Austrasia See 691 (number Events By Place Europe Theuderic III is succeeded by Clovis III as king of Austrasia Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Events By Place Asia Umayyad general Hajjaj suppresses a rebellion by Ibn al-Ash'ath Fu Yauwei (傅遊藝 (d August 24, 691) known as Wu Youyi (武遊藝 during the reign of Wu Zetian, was an official of the Chinese Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own See 691 (number Events By Place Europe Theuderic III is succeeded by Clovis III as king of Austrasia Shi Wuzi (史務滋 (d January 2, 691) was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own See 691 (number Events By Place Europe Theuderic III is succeeded by Clovis III as king of Austrasia Zong Qinke (宗秦客 (d 691? was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving briefly as chancellor Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Le Sihui (樂思晦 (d 691 was an official during Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty briefly serving as chancellor. See 691 (number Events By Place Europe Theuderic III is succeeded by Clovis III as king of Austrasia Ren Zhigu (任知古 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving briefly as chancellor. See 691 (number Events By Place Europe Theuderic III is succeeded by Clovis III as king of Austrasia Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Ge Fuyuan (格輔元 (d November 7, 691) was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving See 691 (number Events By Place Europe Theuderic III is succeeded by Clovis III as king of Austrasia Ouyang Tong (歐陽通 (d November 7, 691) formally the Viscount of Bohai (渤海子 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty See 691 (number Events By Place Europe Theuderic III is succeeded by Clovis III as king of Austrasia Pei Xingben (裴行本 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving briefly as chancellor. See 691 (number Events By Place Europe Theuderic III is succeeded by Clovis III as king of Austrasia Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Dí Rénjié ( ( 630 - August 15, 700) Courtesy name Huaiying (懷英 formally Duke Wenhui of Liang (梁文惠公 was See 691 (number Events By Place Europe Theuderic III is succeeded by Clovis III as king of Austrasia Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Events By Place Asia Emperor Mommu succeeds Empress Jitō on the throne of Japan Events By Place North America The Mount Edziza volcanic complex erupts in northern British Columbia, Canada. Yang Zhirou (楊執柔 (d 692? was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving briefly as chancellor. Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Li Youdao (李游道 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty briefly serving as chancellor. Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Yuan Zhihong (袁智弘 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty briefly serving as chancellor. Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Cui Shenji (崔神基 formally the Duke of Qingqiu (清丘公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Cui Yuanzong (崔元綜 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving as a chancellor during Wu Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Li Zhaode (李昭德 (d April 28, 697) was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty and at one point served as chancellor. Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Yao Shu (姚璹 (632-705 Courtesy name Lingzhang (令璋 formally Count Cheng of Wuxing (吳興成伯 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Events By Place Asia Emperor Mommu succeeds Empress Jitō on the throne of Japan Li Yuansu (李元素 (d October 26, 696) was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty, serving twice as chancellor. Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Events Births Deaths Prince Takechi of Japan Map-bms696 Wang Xuan (王璿 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty briefly serving as chancellor. Events By Place Asia The Arabs conquer Armenia. Leontios leading a substantial Byzantine army Lou Shide (婁師德 (630-699 Courtesy name Zongren (宗仁 formally Viscount Zhen of Qiao (譙貞子 was an official and general of the Chinese Events By Place Europe The Portuguese city of Viseu is taken from the Byzantine Empire by the Moors. Events Births Deaths Prince Takechi of Japan Map-bms696 Events By Place Asia Emperor Mommu succeeds Empress Jitō on the throne of Japan Events By Place Asia Umayyad general Hajjaj suppresses a rebellion by Ibn al-Ash'ath Wei Juyuan (韋巨源 ( 631 - July 22, 710) formally Duke Zhao of Shu (舒昭公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Events By Place Europe The Portuguese city of Viseu is taken from the Byzantine Empire by the Moors. Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Events By Place North America The Mount Edziza volcanic complex erupts in northern British Columbia, Canada. Lu Yuanfang (陸元方 Courtesy name Xizhong (希仲 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty twice serving as chancellor. Events By Place Europe The Portuguese city of Viseu is taken from the Byzantine Empire by the Moors. Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Events By Place Asia Umayyad general Hajjaj suppresses a rebellion by Ibn al-Ash'ath Events By Place North America The Mount Edziza volcanic complex erupts in northern British Columbia, Canada. Doulu Qinwang (豆盧欽望 (630?- December 27, 709) né Lu Qinwang (盧欽望 formally Duke Yuan of Rui (芮元公 was an official of the Events By Place Europe The Portuguese city of Viseu is taken from the Byzantine Empire by the Moors. Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Events By Place Asia Emperor Mommu succeeds Empress Jitō on the throne of Japan Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Events By Place Asia Umayyad general Hajjaj suppresses a rebellion by Ibn al-Ash'ath Events By Place North America The Mount Edziza volcanic complex erupts in northern British Columbia, Canada. Su Weidao (蘇味道 (648?-705? was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty twice serving as chancellor Events By Place Europe The Portuguese city of Viseu is taken from the Byzantine Empire by the Moors. Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Wang Xiaojie (王孝傑 (d February 8, 697) formally the Duke of Geng (耿公 was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty Events By Place Europe The Portuguese city of Viseu is taken from the Byzantine Empire by the Moors. Events Births Deaths Prince Takechi of Japan Map-bms696 Wei Shifang (韋什方 (d 695 also known as Wu Shifang (武什方 was briefly a chancellor during Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Yang Zaisi (楊再思 (d 709 formally Duke Gong of Zheng (鄭恭公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Events By Place Asia Umayyad general Hajjaj suppresses a rebellion by Ibn al-Ash'ath Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Du Jingjian (杜景儉 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty twice serving as chancellor during Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Events By Place Asia Emperor Mommu succeeds Empress Jitō on the throne of Japan Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Zhou Yunyuan (周允元 (d January 29, 695) Courtesy name Ruliang (汝良 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty briefing Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Events By Place Byzantine Empire The people of Byzantium revolt against Justinian II. Sun Yuanheng (孫元亨 (d October 26, 696) was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving briefly as chancellor. Events Births Deaths Prince Takechi of Japan Map-bms696 Wang Fangqing (王方慶 (d 702 formal name Wang Lin (王綝 but went by the Courtesy name of Fangqing formally Duke Zhen of Shiquan (石泉貞公 Events Births Deaths Prince Takechi of Japan Map-bms696 Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Li Daoguang (李道廣 courtesy name Taiqiu (太丘 formally Marquess Cheng of Jincheng (金城成侯 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty Events Births Deaths Prince Takechi of Japan Map-bms696 Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Wang Jishan (王及善 ( 618 - August 28, 699) formally Duke Zhen of Xing (邢貞公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Events By Place Asia Emperor Mommu succeeds Empress Jitō on the throne of Japan Events By Place Asia Umayyad general Hajjaj suppresses a rebellion by Ibn al-Ash'ath Zong Chuke (宗楚客 (d July 24, 710) Courtesy name Shu'ao (叔敖 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty Events By Place Asia Emperor Mommu succeeds Empress Jitō on the throne of Japan Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Wu Sansi (武三思 (d August 7, 707) formally Prince Xuan of Liang (梁宣王 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty Events By Place Asia Emperor Mommu succeeds Empress Jitō on the throne of Japan Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Events By Place North America The Mount Edziza volcanic complex erupts in northern British Columbia, Canada. Yao Chong (姚崇 ( 650 - September 28, 721) né Yao Yuanchong (姚元崇 known 700s-713 by the Courtesy name of Yuanzhi Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Li Jiao (李嶠 Courtesy name Jushan (巨山 formally the Duke of Zhao (趙公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Events By Place North America The Mount Edziza volcanic complex erupts in northern British Columbia, Canada. Events Births An Lushan, military leader during the Tang Dynasty (d Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Ji Xu (吉頊 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty serving briefly as chancellor. Events By Place Asia Umayyad general Hajjaj suppresses a rebellion by Ibn al-Ash'ath Events By Place North America The Mount Edziza volcanic complex erupts in northern British Columbia, Canada. Wei Yuanzhong (魏元忠 (d 707 né Wei Zhenzai (魏真宰 formally Duke Zhen of Qi (齊貞公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Events By Place Asia Umayyad general Hajjaj suppresses a rebellion by Ibn al-Ash'ath Events Births An Lushan, military leader during the Tang Dynasty (d Zhang Xi may refer to Zhang Xi (Chinese official Zhang Xi (volleyball, female Events By Place North America The Mount Edziza volcanic complex erupts in northern British Columbia, Canada. Events By Place Europe Wei Anshi (韋安石 (651-714 formally Duke Wenzhen of Xun (郇文貞公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian Events By Place North America The Mount Edziza volcanic complex erupts in northern British Columbia, Canada. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Li Huaiyuan (李懷遠 (d 706 Courtesy name Guangde (廣德 formally Duke Cheng of Zhao Commandery (趙郡成公 was an official of the Chinese Events By Place Europe Gu Cong (顧琮 (d November 4, 702) was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty briefly serving as chancellor. Events By Place Europe Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Emperor Justinian II Rhinotmetus, regains his throne Li Jiongxiu (李迥秀 Courtesy name Maozhi (茂之 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty Events By Place Europe Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Zhu Jingze (朱敬則 (635-709 Courtesy name Shaolian (少連 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian Events Births An Lushan, military leader during the Tang Dynasty (d Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Tang Xiujing (唐休璟 (627-712 formal name Tang Xuan (唐璿 but went by the Courtesy name of Xiujing formally Duke Zhong of Song (宋忠公 was Events Births An Lushan, military leader during the Tang Dynasty (d Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Wei Sili (韋嗣立 (654-719 Courtesy name Yan'gou (延構 formally Duke Xiao of Xiaoyao (逍遙孝公 was an official of the Chinese Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Cui Xuanwei (崔玄暐 (638-706 né Cui Ye (崔曄 formally Prince Wenxian of Boling (博陵文獻王 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Zhang Jianzhi (張柬之 (625-706 Courtesy name Mengjiang (孟將 formally Prince Wenzhen of Hanyang (漢陽文貞王 was an official of the Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Fang Rong (房融 (d 705 was an official of Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty briefly serving as chancellor. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Wei Chengqing (韋承慶 (640?-706? Courtesy name Yanxiu (延休 formally Viscount Wen of Fuyang (扶陽溫子 was an official of the Chinese Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II re-takes the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Yuan Shuji (袁恕己 (d 706 formally Prince Zhenlie of Nanyang (南陽貞烈王 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 635), Duke Ding of Ying, later further successively posthumously honored as the Duke of Zhou, the Prince of Taiyuan, Emperor Zongxiaotai, and Emperor Xiaominggao (with the temple name of Taizu)
• Mother
  • Lady Yang (d. Events By Topic Religion Saint Aidan founds Lindisfarne in Northumbria, England Temple names are commonly used when naming most Chinese, Korean ( Goryeo and Joseon periods and Vietnamese (such dynasties as 670), Wu Shihuo's second wife, honored as the Lady of Rong, Lady of Zuan, Lady of Wei, and finally Lady Zhonglie of Lu, later further successively posthumously honored with titles corresponding to Wu Shihuo's
• Husband
  • Emperor Gaozong of Tang
• Major known lovers
  • Huaiyi, né Feng Xiaobao (馮小寶) (name changed 685), the Duke of Liang (created 688) then the Duke of E (created 690, killed 695)
  • Shen Nanqiu (沈南璆), imperial physician
  • Zhang Yizhi, the Duke of Heng (created 702, killed 705)
  • Zhang Changzong, the Duke of Ye (created 702, killed 705)
• Children
  • Li Hong (李弘) (b. Events By Place Europe On the death of his brother Clotaire Childeric II becomes king of all of the Frankish kingdoms ( Austrasia Background and life as Prince of Jin Li Zhi was born in 628 He was the ninth son of his father Emperor Taizong, and the third son of his mother Emperor Taizong's wife Huaiyi (懷義 (died December 25, 694) né Feng Xiaobao (馮小寶 sometimes referred to as Xue Huaiyi (薛懷義 was a Buddhist Events By Place Byzantine Empire Justinian II succeeds Constantine IV as Emperor of the Byzantine Empire For the submarine see Los Angeles class submarine. ---- Events By Place Europe Emperor Justinian II Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Events By Place Byzantine Empire The people of Byzantium revolt against Justinian II. Zhang Yizhi (張易之 (d February 20, 705) formally the Duke of Heng (恆公 nickname Wulang (五郎 was an official of Wu Zetian Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Emperor Justinian II Rhinotmetus, regains his throne Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Zhang Changzong (張昌宗 (d February 20, 705) formally the Duke of Ye (鄴公 nickname Liulang (六郎 was an official of Wu Zetian Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Emperor Justinian II Rhinotmetus, regains his throne Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Li Hong (李弘 ( 652 - May 25, 675) formally Emperor Xiaojing (孝敬皇帝 literally "the filial and alert emperor" with the 652), originally the Prince of Dai (created 653), later the Crown Prince (created 656, poisoned 675), posthumously honored Emperor Xiaojing with the temple name Yizong
  • Li Xián (李賢) (note different tone than his brother) (b. Events By Place Europe Rodoald succeeds his father Rothari as king of the Lombards. Events Sigeberht II the Good succeeds Sigeberht I the Little as king of Essex. Events By Place Europe Oswiu of Northumbria annexes Mercia Asia The Battle of Events By Place Europe Æthelred succeeds his brother Wulfhere as king of Mercia Frithuwold of Surrey Li Xian (李賢 (653&ndash684 Courtesy name Mingyun (明允 formally Crown Prince Zhanghuai (章懷太子 named Li De (李德 from 672 653), name changed to Li De (李德) 672, changed back to Li Xián 674), originally the Prince of Lu (created 655), later the Prince of Pei (created 661), later the Prince of Yong (created 672), later the Crown Prince (created 675), later demoted to commoner rank (demoted 680, forced to commit suicide 684), posthumously initially honored the Prince of Yong, later honored Crown Prince Zhanghuai
  • Li Xiǎn (李顯) (note different tone than his brother) (b. Events Sigeberht II the Good succeeds Sigeberht I the Little as king of Essex. Events By Place Europe Wamba succeeds Reccaswinth as king of the Visigoths. Events By Place Europe Dagobert II and Theuderic I succeed Childeric II as king(s of the Franks Events By Place Europe November 15 — Northumbrian king Oswiu defeats Mercian king Penda in the Events By Place Europe Perctarit and Godepert become co-rulers of the Lombards, following the death of their Events By Place Europe Wamba succeeds Reccaswinth as king of the Visigoths. Events By Place Europe Æthelred succeeds his brother Wulfhere as king of Mercia Frithuwold of Surrey Events By Place Europe The Bulgars subjugate the country of current-day Bulgaria. Events By Place Asia Wu Ze Tian takes power in China The Ummayad caliph Muawiya II is succeeded by 655), name changed to Li Zhe (李哲) 677, changed back to Li Xiǎn 698, changed to Wu Xian (武顯) 700, changed back to Li Xian 705, initially the Prince of Zhou (created 656), later the Prince of Ying (created 677), later the Crown Prince (created 680), later Emperor Zhongzong of Tang (enthroned 684), later demoted to Prince of Luling (demoted 684), later the Crown Prince (created 698), later emperor again (705)
  • Li Dan (李旦), né Li Xulun (李旭輪) (b. Events By Place Europe November 15 — Northumbrian king Oswiu defeats Mercian king Penda in the Events By Place Byzantine Empire Battle of Syllaeum: An Arab fleet is destroyed by the Byzantines. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Events By Place North America The Mount Edziza volcanic complex erupts in northern British Columbia, Canada. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Events By Place Europe Oswiu of Northumbria annexes Mercia Asia The Battle of Events By Place Byzantine Empire Battle of Syllaeum: An Arab fleet is destroyed by the Byzantines. Events By Place Europe The Bulgars subjugate the country of current-day Bulgaria. Background Li Xiǎn was born in 656 as the seventh son of his father Emperor Gaozong and the third son of his mother Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress Wu Events By Place Asia Wu Ze Tian takes power in China The Ummayad caliph Muawiya II is succeeded by Events By Place Asia Wu Ze Tian takes power in China The Ummayad caliph Muawiya II is succeeded by Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 662), name changed to Li Lun (李輪) 669, changed again to Li Dan 678, changed again to Wu Lun (武輪) 690, changed again to Wu Dan (武旦) 698, changed back to Li Dan 705, originally the Prince of Yin (created 662), later the Prince of Yu (created 666), later the Prince of Ji (created 669), later the Prince of Xiang (created 675), later the Prince of Yu (created 678), later Emperor Ruizong of Tang (enthroned 684), later demoted to Crown Prince (demoted 690), later demoted to Prince of Xiang (demoted 698), later emperor again (710)
  • Unnamed princess
  • Princess Taiping (forced to commit suicide 713)

Titles carried, in chronological order

• Cairen (才人) (15th ranked imperial consort) 637-649
• Zhaoyi (昭儀) (Fourth ranked imperial consort) 650?-655
• Empress (Huanghou (皇后)) 655-683
  • Also known as Tianhou (天后) 674-683
• Empress dowager (Huang Taihou (皇太后)) 683-690
  • Also known as Shengmu Shenhuang (聖母神皇) 688-690
• Emperor (Huangdi (皇帝)) 690-705
  • Shengshen Huangdi (聖神皇帝) 690-693
  • Jinlun Shengshen Huangdi (金輪聖神皇帝) 693-694
  • Yuegu Jinlun Shengshen Huangdi (越古金輪聖神皇帝) 694-695
  • Jinlun Shengshen Huangdi 695
  • Tiance Jinlun Dasheng Huangdi 695-705
  • Zetian Dasheng Huangdi (則天大聖皇帝) 705
• Posthumous empress titles
  • Zetian Dasheng Huanghou (則天大聖皇后) 705-710
  • Tianhou (天后) 710
  • Dasheng Tianhou (大聖天后) 710-712
  • Tianhou Shengdi (天后聖帝) 712
  • Shenghou (聖后) 712-716
  • Zetian Huanghou (則天皇后) 716-749
  • Zetian Shunsheng Huanghou (則天順聖皇后) (final version)

Books

• Empress Wu Zetian in Fiction and in History: Female Defiance in Confucian China by Dora Shu-fang Dien (Nova Publishing, 2003) explores the life of Empress Wu Zetian and the ways women found to participate in public life, despite the societal constraints of dynastic China. Events The regent Grimuald usurps the kingship of the Lombards, driving Perctarit into exile and killing Godepert. For the special unit of the Israel Defense Forces see Unit 669. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The First Arab siege of Constantinople (674-678 ends Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Events The regent Grimuald usurps the kingship of the Lombards, driving Perctarit into exile and killing Godepert. Number of the Beast if you were looking for the For the special unit of the Israel Defense Forces see Unit 669. Events By Place Europe Æthelred succeeds his brother Wulfhere as king of Mercia Frithuwold of Surrey Events By Place Byzantine Empire The First Arab siege of Constantinople (674-678 ends Background Li Xulun was born in 662 as the youngest son of Emperor Gaozong and his second wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian Events By Place Asia Wu Ze Tian takes power in China The Ummayad caliph Muawiya II is succeeded by Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. For the area code see Area code 710. For the Los Angeles-area freeway see Interstate 710. Princess Taiping ( personal name unknown (d August 2, 713) was a princess of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and her mother Wu Zetian ---- Events By Place Byzantine Empire Byzantine Emperor Philippicus is deposed Anastasius II is made emperor Events By Place Europe Battle of Mag Rath Dál Riata influence in Ulster is greatly reduced or ended Events By Place Europe Reccaswinth succeeds his father Chindaswinth as king of the Visigoths. Events By Place Asia The first Chinese Paper money is issued yet these banknotes will not become government-issued Events By Place Europe November 15 — Northumbrian king Oswiu defeats Mercian king Penda in the Events By Place Europe November 15 — Northumbrian king Oswiu defeats Mercian king Penda in the 683 is a prime number Events By Place Americas The reign of Pacal the Great, ruler of Maya state of Palenque Events By Place Europe Dagobert II and Theuderic I succeed Childeric II as king(s of the Franks 683 is a prime number Events By Place Americas The reign of Pacal the Great, ruler of Maya state of Palenque 683 is a prime number Events By Place Americas The reign of Pacal the Great, ruler of Maya state of Palenque Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own For the submarine see Los Angeles class submarine. ---- Events By Place Europe Emperor Justinian II Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Events By Place Europe The Portuguese city of Viseu is taken from the Byzantine Empire by the Moors. Events By Place Europe The Portuguese city of Viseu is taken from the Byzantine Empire by the Moors. Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Events By Place Europe November 9 — Hispano-Visigothic king Egica accuses the Jews of aiding the Muslims Events By Place Byzantine Empire The people of Byzantium revolt against Justinian II. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The people of Byzantium revolt against Justinian II. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The people of Byzantium revolt against Justinian II. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 For the area code see Area code 710. For the Los Angeles-area freeway see Interstate 710. For the area code see Area code 710. For the Los Angeles-area freeway see Interstate 710. For the area code see Area code 710. For the Los Angeles-area freeway see Interstate 710. Events By Place Europe Ansprand succeeds Aripert as king of the Lombards. Events By Place Europe Ansprand succeeds Aripert as king of the Lombards. Events By Place Europe Ansprand succeeds Aripert as king of the Lombards. For the area code see Area code 716 Events By Place Byzantine Empire Theodosius III leads a revolt against Anastasius For the area code see Area code 716 Events By Place Byzantine Empire Theodosius III leads a revolt against Anastasius Events By Place Europe June — Aistulf succeeds his brother Ratchis as king of the Lombards.

• Wu: The Chinese Empress Who Schemed, Seduced and Murdered Her Way to Become a Living God by Jonathan Clements. Jonathan Clements (born July 9, 1971) is a British author and scriptwriter

• The noted French author Shan Sa, born in Beijing, wrote a biographical novel called "Impératrice" (French for Empress) based on Empress Wu's life. Shan Sa (born October 26, 1972) is a French Author. The Girl Who Played Go was the first of her novels to be published outside of It has been translated into English as "Empress" and Japanese as Jotei: Waga na wa Sokuten Bukō (女帝: わが名は則天武后) (trans. "Female emperor: My name is Empress Wu Zetian").

• A fictionalized Wu Zetian appears in Eleanor Cooney & Daniel Alteri's mystery novel "Deception: A Novel of Mystery and Madness in Ancient China"

• Lady Wu, written by Lin Yutang, combines thoroughly researched historical data and storytelling to weave a sensually vicious portrayal of the woman who would be Emperor.

• A fiction novel, titled The Walking Boy, by Lydia Kwa was published in 2005 by Key Porter Books, Canada.

See also

• Chinese sovereign
• Chinese characters of Empress Wu
• Qianling Mausoleum

Notes and references