The incredible life of Wu Zetian: China's only female emperor

Wu Zetian was born in 624 CE in the Tang Dynasty, which was a period of significant cultural and technological advancement in China.

During this time, the country enjoyed relative stability under the rule of the Tang emperors, who fostered trade, diplomacy, and artistic expression.

However, the Tang Dynasty was not without its challenges.

The imperial court was plagued by factionalism and power struggles, and external threats from neighboring powers such as the Tibetan Empire and the Khitan people put pressure on the Tang military.

Wu Zetian first entered the imperial court at the age of 14 as a concubine of Emperor Taizong, but her influence grew under his successor, Emperor Gaozong.

As Gaozong's empress, Wu gained significant power and influence, and she used her position to cultivate a network of loyal supporters among the court officials and military leaders.

When Gaozong fell ill and was unable to rule effectively, Wu seized the opportunity to consolidate her power, using her political savvy and ruthless tactics to eliminate her rivals and secure her position as Empress Dowager.

From there, she continued to expand her influence, eventually proclaiming herself Emperor of China and establishing her own dynasty.

Wu's ascent to power was not without controversy, however, and she faced opposition from both within and outside the court.

During her reign, Wu Zetian oversaw significant cultural, economic, and military developments in China.

One of her most notable accomplishments was the implementation of economic reforms that helped stimulate growth and development in the Tang Dynasty.

She lowered taxes, increased the money supply, and promoted trade and commerce both within China and with other nations.

These policies led to increased economic activity and greater prosperity for the Chinese people.

Wu was also a skilled military strategist and oversaw several successful military campaigns during her reign.

She expanded the Tang Empire's borders and suppressed rebellions in various regions of the country.

These military victories helped to solidify her position as a powerful and capable leader and expanded China's influence and reach.

Education and scholarship were also important priorities for Wu, and she established several institutions of higher learning during her reign.

She promoted the study of Confucianism and Buddhism and encouraged the translation of foreign texts into Chinese.

These initiatives helped to increase access to education and knowledge and contributed to the flourishing of Chinese culture and civilization.

Additionally, Wu was a patron of the arts and oversaw a period of significant artistic and cultural development in China.

She sponsored the construction of several important architectural works, and promoted the development of poetry, music, and dance.

Despite her many accomplishments, Wu's reign was not without controversy and dissent.

Her use of ruthless tactics and manipulation to gain and maintain power alienated many within the imperial court, and she faced several rebellions and uprisings during her reign.

Moreover, her decision to proclaim herself emperor was unprecedented and controversial, sparking criticism and opposition from many quarters.

Wu Zetian's reign was brought to an end with a coup d'etat of 705 CE. In February of that year, a group of officials led by Zhang Jianzhi and Cui Xuanwei staged a palace coup against Wu Zetian and her favorites.

They claimed that Wu Zetian was too old and sick to rule, and that she had been bewitched by two of her closest advisors, known as the Zhang brothers.

The rebels killed the Zhang brothers and their allies and forced Wu Zetian to abdicate in favor of her son Li Xian (Emperor Zhongzong), who had been deposed by her in 684 CE.

Wu Zetian had no choice but to accept the coup, as she had lost the support of most of her ministers, generals, and family members.

She died later that year in December, at the age of 81.

Wu Zetian is remembered as a complex and controversial figure in Chinese history, who made significant contributions to the cultural, economic, and military development of the Tang Dynasty.

Her legacy is a subject of ongoing debate among historians and scholars, with some viewing her as a capable and innovative leader who helped to strengthen China's position on the world stage, while others see her as a ruthless and manipulative ruler who used any means necessary to achieve her goals.

Despite the controversy surrounding her reign, Wu remains a prominent figure in Chinese history and culture, and her story has been the subject of numerous works of literature, film, and other forms of art.

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in her life and reign, with many Chinese scholars and public figures seeking to reevaluate her legacy and place her achievements in a broader historical context.