Known For: First and only female emperor of China
Dates:

A.H.: 3 - 86
C.E.: 625 – 705

Faith: Buddhism
Country: China

About

Wu Zetian became the ruler of China during the notably peaceful and socially diverse Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD), during which women had many more freedoms compared to other periods in Chinese history. Wu, born into the nobility, grew up with instruction in music, writing, and reading. By age 13 she entered the court of Emperor Tai Tsung, and was soon considered his favorite concubine. After his death the emperor was replaced by his son, Kao Tsung, who also took Wu as his preferred concubine. She gave birth to desired sons and grew in power, removing Kao Tsung’s wife by accusing her of killing her newborn daughter. Trusting her, Kao Tsung left his wife to marry Wu and made her empress.
     
Five years later Kao Tsung had a devastating stroke, which led to Wu taking control of the court’s administrative tasks, a duty that have her equal status to the emperor. She formed an underground police force to investigate her opposition, arresting or killing any suspected enemies. After Kao Tsung died she bypassed her older sons to place her youngest son in power. She ultimately ruled, by giving him direction.
   
Contesting Confucian beliefs against women’s capacity to rule, Wu promoted female advancement by decreeing that scholars of the day write biographies of notable women. She also elevated the status of her mother’s clan by giving her relatives high positions in court.
   
When Wu’s youngest son resigned from office in 690, she became official emperor of China. Despite her merciless route to power, she ruled with benevolence, justly recruiting and operating the government. During her rule Wu instated Buddhism over Daoism as the country’s preferred religion, organizing the construction of Buddhist temples and cave sculptures; Chinese Buddhism flourished the greatest under her reign.
   
In her later years Wu lessened the power of her underground law enforcement but grew superstitious. In 705 the court pressured her to succeed the throne to her third son. During the same year, Wu died tranquilly at the age of 80.