4-Wu Zetian
During its 2,000 years of dynastic rule, a period stretching from 220 BCE to 1911, China had 557 emperors. All but one of these emperors were men. Wu Zetian, the only female emperor to rule China, was born in 624 and was the de facto ruler of the Tang Dynasty from 665 to 705.
However, Wu Zetian’s rise to power was long and complex. As a child, she received a good education so when she was selected to be a concubine of Emperor Taizong at the age of 14, she was able to use her intelligence to advance through the ranks and become his secretary.
Court Ladies Adorning Their Hair with Flowers (late 8th-early 9th century A.D.) by Zhou FangChina Modern Contemporary Art Document
During her ten years working for the emperor, she learned a lot about state affairs. When Taizong fell ill and died in 649, she avoided being exiled to a convent – the traditional fate of former concubines – by acquainting his son, the new Emperor Gaozong.
Mural of Guest Envoys (706) by UnknownChina Modern Contemporary Art Document
Wu Zetian was made a senior concubine, but she had her eyes on a much larger prize. She progressed further through the ranks of concubines, eventually earning the title of huanghou, or empress consort, the highest rank and position a woman could hold in the empire.
A Palace Concert (AD 618-AD 907) by AnonymousNational Palace Museum
Gradually, Wu Zetian became more and more involved in state affairs, gaining huge influence over governance and policy making. When Emperor Gaozong died in 683, Wu became the Empress Dowager and regent. This gave her sole control over the empire.
Picture of Learned Men (907) by Sun WeiChina Modern Contemporary Art Document
Wu Zetian made her youngest son, Ruizong, Emperor. However, in reality, Wu Zetian was the absolute ruler, presiding alone over imperial meetings and forbidding officials from meeting with her son. Eventually, she forced Ruizong to give her the throne, becoming Emperor in 690.
A Lady Playing Chess (Weiqi) (ca. 8th century A.D.) by UnknownChina Modern Contemporary Art Document
During her time in power, Wu Zetian reformed the government, decreased public spending, and reduced bureaucracy. She lowered taxes on rural peasants, helped to disseminate modern agricultural ideas, and opened up civil service exams to people from all social classes.
Court ladies preparing newly woven silk (907) by Zhang XuanChina Modern Contemporary Art Document
Wu Zetian was considered a ruthless ruler and had many of her rivals killed. Some historians even claimed she killed her own children to get ahead, though these rumours didn’t surface until 400 years after her death and may have been an attempt to smear her reputation.
4-Wu Zetian
Wu Zetian died at the age of 81 in 705, shortly after her removal from office. She was succeeded by her son, Emperor Zhongzong. Since Wu Zetian there has not been another female ruler in China... yet.
85199 (1970-09) by John OlsonLIFE Photo Collection
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