Wu Zetian

 

Wu Zetian

Empress Wu Zetian (624-705) of Tang Dynasty (618-907) was the only female empress in Chinese history to ascend the throne and ruled the empire for over half a century.

Although Confucian beliefs which was dominant at that time were against a woman ruler, she broke all precedents and founded her own dynasty in 690, the Zhou (interrupting the Tang Dynasty).

Before Empress Wu became the empress regnant, she had been heavily involved in the political affairs and showed her political views and strategies when her husband and later her sons reign for more than thirty years. During her regime, Wu Zetian reinforced centralization and attached great importance to agricultural development. She launched a campaign to elevate the position of women to challenge Confucian beliefs against rule by women and encouraged talented people to take a post in her government. She had ordered to erect a monument without words to have herself judged by her successors.

In spite of her ruthless rise and reign, Empress Wu proved to be a competent ruler and throughout her reign the legacy of prosperity was left.