Emperor Gaozong of Tang

history of imperial China, The Tang dynasty Empress Wu Zetian occupies a unique place. She is the only one Empress that ruled a dynasty in China with its thousand years of history. For almost 50 years she enjoyed the supreme power, first she was in partnership with Tang Gaozong, a ruler usually considered weak and ineffectual, later as de facto regent for her youngest son and finally, from 690 to 705 A.D., as China’s sole female emperor. Her rise from the obscurity of Tang Taizong’s harem was dramatic

be answering the question “To what extent was Empress Wu Zetian successful during the Tang Dynasty?” This question is significant and worthy of investigation because not many people know how much she has effected during that period till now. It should also be researched about because this period of time was when China was still a disbanded civilisation, and was when industrialisation began to advance in the Tang Dynasty under Wu Zetian. Writing this essay can result to finding answers historians may

Chinese history to rule as Emperor. Although for centuries, she was painted as a brutal and remorseless person due to her inhumane actions, Empress Wu remains as the most influential and mysterious woman in Chinese history. Born into a wealthy family in 624 A.D., Empress Wu was taught how to write, read Chinese classics and to play music. At the age of fourteen, she became a concubine to Emperor Taizong who favoured her knowledge of literature and history. In 649 A.D., the Emperor died and he was succeeded

history of imperial China, The Tang dynasty Empress Wu Zetian occupies a unique place. She is the only one Empress that ruled a dynasty in China with its thousand years of history. For almost 50 years she enjoyed the supreme power, first she was in partnership with Tang Gaozong, a ruler usually considered weak and ineffectual, later as de facto regent for her youngest son and finally, from 690 to 705 A.D., as China’s sole female emperor. Her rise from the obscurity of Tang Taizong’s harem was dramatic

In this paper we’ll discuss about how Wu Zetian became China’s only female Empress. She reigned during the Tang dynasty, first as Empress consort and later after her husband’s death as a supreme ruler in her own right and referred to herself as the Huangdi. She also propelled a short-lived dynasty, the Zhou Dynasty after the death of Emperor Gaozong. This title has only ever been used by men and she took it upon herself to proclaim that she is no less than a man. She took over the position of supreme

good education. At the age of 14, she was selected to be Emperor Taizong's Cai Ren (a kind of Tang concubine) because of her beauty and intelligence. During that period, her literary talents impressed Emperor Taizong who permitted her to assist as a secretary. This enlarged Wu's insight and knowledge of state affairs. It was also then that Wu began to attract the attention of Prince Li Zhi who later became Emperor Gaozong. In 649 when Emperor

woman became the Emperor, holding power absolutely could not be possible. The men chauvinism affected deeply in the root of each generations, each classes in the society which is heavily feudal as China. But Wu Zetian, from a very normal woman, with her intellect, cunning and also cruelty, she rose to be the Emperor and till now, she was the only female Emperor in Chinese history. I. Introduction Wu Zetian (624-705), the Empress of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, was the only female Emperor in the history

Rothschild, N. Harry. 2008. Wu Zhao: China’s Only Woman Emperor. New York: Pearson Longman Historical, political and social background: Wu Zhao belonged to the Tang Empire, which according to the author which “…was a true empire, encompassing many lands, many peoples, and many ideologies. Multi ethnic and cosmopolitan, Tang China was perfectly suited for the ascent of a historical anomaly like Wu Zhao…” (Rothschild, 2008, p. 11) In a sense, there was a conflict of traditional Confucian values

Even though Tang Empress of China Wu Zetian, and the last Pharaoh of Egypt Cleopatra, both infamous female leaders of diverse cultures and time periods, their life and leadership consisted of both different and similar approaches to gaining, and later, ruling their empire. Similarly, both women renowned for their feminine appeal, which Empress Wu used to aid her rise to power. Cleopatra, well-known for her beauty and lustful behaviors, likewise used her womanly charm for political survival. Few other

Empress Wu ultimately assumed the title of emperor for herself in 690, becoming perhaps the first “dragon lady” and the lone woman to act thus in Chinese imperial history. During her reign, she proved herself the equal of any male emperor in terms of ruthlessness,