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 low-ranking concubine of Emperor Taizong, but her intelligence and literacy in classical Chinese quickly set her apart. Her influence grew under his successor, Emperor Gaozong, who she later married.

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 around 660 CE and was unable to rule effectively, Wu seized the opportunity to consolidate her power and became de facto ruler. 

Upon Emperor Gaozong's death in 683 CE, Wu became Empress Dowager and ruled as regent through her sons, continuing as part of the Tang Dynasty. 

From there, she continued to expand her influence, eventually proclaiming herself Emperor of China and establishing her own dynasty, the Zhou Dynasty, which lasted from 690-705 CE.

Wu's ascent to power was not without controversy, however, and she faced opposition from both within and outside the court. She had orchestrated the imprisonment and eventual execution of a previous empress and consort, and deposed her own son in 684 CE when he would submit to her controlling ways.

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 restructured the taxation system, increased the money supply, and promoted trade within China and abroad.

These policies stimulated economic activity and brought greater prosperity to 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. Although she did have some failures as well, including some against the Tibetan Empire.

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

Wu Zetian reformed the imperial bureaucracy by expanding the civil service examination system, increasing access for talented but lower-born scholars, thereby diminishing the traditional power of aristocratic families who had long dominated government positions.

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

These initiatives increased access to education 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 unprecedented decision to proclaim herself emperor sparked widespread criticism and opposition.

Wu Zetian's reign was brought to an end with a coup d'etat in 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 had been 'bewitched' by two of her closest advisers, 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. He restored the Tang Dynasty. 

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. She was buried with Emperor Gaozong in the Qianling Mausoleum, where her tombstone was deliberately left blank—likely as a statement about her controversial rule.

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 and Zhou dynasties.

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, inspiring numerous works of literature and film. 

In recent years, renewed interest in her life and reign has led many Chinese scholars and public figures to reassess her legacy and achievements within a broader historical context.