How a concubine became the only woman to rule China as Emperor
In short: Wu Zetian rose from a concubine to the throne of Imperial China. This video examines her unconventional upbringing, her strategic ascent within the Tang court, and the ruthless measures she employed to secure her position as the sole female emperor in Chinese history.
Born in 624 CE into a wealthy family, Wu Zetian received an education in literacy, music, and public speaking—skills rarely granted to women at the time. At 14, she entered the court of Emperor Taizong as a concubine. Following Taizong's death, she leveraged her relationship with his son, Emperor Gaozong, to return to the palace as his primary concubine.
Wu eventually claimed the throne for herself, renaming the state from Tang to Zhou, or Tianzhou, signifying a mandate granted by heaven. Her reign was marked by the consolidation of power through the imprisonment of the remaining Tang royal family. Her chosen name, Wu Zetian, reflects her legacy: Wu is linked to military force, while Zetian translates to ruler of the heavens.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Wu Zetian: the First and Only Empress of Imperial China
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