History of Wu Zetian

Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history, was a compelling figure who defied the conventions of her time to rise to power. Her reign, which lasted from 690 to 705 AD during the Tang dynasty, was marked by significant political reform, cultural patronage, and controversial tactics that continue to fascinate historians and scholars to this day.

Born in 624 AD, Wu Zetian, also known as Wu Zhao, was the daughter of a wealthy and noble family in Wenshui, Shanxi province. Her father, Wu Shihuo, was a notable figure in the Tang dynasty court, which afforded Wu Zetian the privilege of education—a rarity for women of her time. From an early age, she exhibited intelligence and ambition, qualities that would later define her rule.

At the age of 14, Wu entered the imperial court as a concubine of Emperor Taizong. Her life in the court offered Wu the chance to observe the inner workings of imperial politics. After Taizong's death in 649 and the customary move to a convent for imperial widows, Wu became involved with Taizong’s successor, his son Emperor Gaozong. It was during Gaozong’s reign that Wu Zetian began to truly exert influence. She was elevated from a concubine to empress consort by 655 after a series of political maneuvers, including allegedly framing Gaozong’s empress at the time, Empress Wang, for infanticide.

With her position secure, Wu Zetian worked to consolidate her power. When Emperor Gaozong's health began to decline, she effectively ruled as the de facto leader alongside him, orchestrating court affairs and making critical decisions. She deftly navigated the intricate world of court warfare, eliminating rivals and rewarding loyalists, a testament to her political acumen.

After Gaozong’s death in 683, Wu’s authority only grew. She initially ruled behind the scenes as regent for her sons, first Emperor Zhongzong and later Emperor Ruizong. However, she found neither son adequately suited to reign according to her standards—or perhaps more accurately, she found the position of regent insufficient for her ambition. In 690, Wu Zetian deposed Emperor Ruizong and declared herself the emperor of a newly established Zhou dynasty, breaking away temporarily from the Tang line.

Wu Zetian's reign as emperor was characterized by substantial political and social changes. Her administration focused on merit over aristocratic lineage, allowing more individuals of lower birth to ascend in the bureaucracy. This effectively weakened the power of the entrenched, noble families who had traditionally held sway in the court. Wu implemented rigorous entrance examinations for government positions, which strengthened the civil service system. Her reformist policies promoted economic recovery and development. She encouraged agricultural advancements, reduced court expenses, and improved taxation systems to suit the empire's needs.

Wu also fostered religious and cultural developments, being a patron of both Buddhism and literature. She commissioned magnificent Buddhist art and established several state-sponsored temples. These actions served not just religious or cultural purposes but also political ones, as they helped consolidate her power and legitimacy by aligning herself with the influential Buddhist establishment.

Despite her achievements, Wu Zetian's reign was not without controversy. Her rule was often criticized for perceived ruthlessness and the elimination of rivals, including members of her own family. Accounts from the Tang dynasty, written after her death and during times when Confucian ideals greatly valued male leadership, often painted her as a usurper and villain, employing traditional gender biases to criticize her unprecedented rule.

Her reign ended in 705 when she was forcibly deposed due to old age and ill health, returning power to the Tang dynasty and Emperor Zhongzong. Wu retired to a convent, the very place where her unlikely journey to power began, and passed away in 705 at the age of 81.

In the years following her death, Wu Zetian's legacy was largely interpreted through a negative lens, her accomplishments overshadowed by her controversial rise to power. It wasn’t until centuries later that historians began reassessing her reign, recognizing the political reforms and stability she brought to an empire fraught with challenges.

Wu Zetian remains a significant figure in Chinese history, a woman who wielded power and navigated a patriarchal society with formidable skill. Her life story is a testament to her lifelong dedication to governance and the relentless pursuit of power, challenging gender norms and setting a precedent that has resonated throughout the centuries. Her reign, shrewd yet often criticized, reveals a nuanced portrait of leadership, reflecting both her capacity for governance and the complexities of maintaining power in medieval China.