Wu Zetian: China's First & Only Female Emperor | Empress Who Ruled The World | Timeline

Wu Zetian, China's only female emperor, is introduced as a deeply divisive ruler. Historically remembered as a callous tyrant, new archaeological discoveries are challenging this perception, revealing a different picture of her reign and questioning whether she was an evil dictator or a misunderstood leader.

Wu Zetian entered the Imperial court in 637 AD as a 13-year-old concubine. She quickly gained favor with Emperor Taizong and later became Empress to his son, Gaozong. As Gaozong's health declined, Wu gradually assumed real power, eventually declaring herself Emperor in 690 AD. Ancient chroniclers, however, portrayed her rise through brutal acts, including infanticide and extreme cruelty to rivals.

Archaeologists are unearthing new evidence that challenges the traditional, negative narrative of Wu Zetian. Artifacts from her capital, Chang'an (modern-day Xian), including figurines depicting women in men's clothing, suggest a period of greater freedom and opportunity for women under her rule, hinting at a more progressive society than previously thought.

The discovery of the Phoenix crown, a long-lost treasure from the Tang era, provides vital clues about Wu Zetian's China. This intricate headdress, found in the tomb of a minor royal, showcases extraordinary wealth and cosmopolitan trade, with materials from across Asia. This artifact, along with a jade silkworm, demonstrates Wu's ambition to make China the wealthiest empire in the world.

Murals in a tomb near Chang'an depict foreign ambassadors paying homage, suggesting Wu Zetian was a respected international leader who favored diplomacy over warfare. Her strategic securing of the Silk Road through military outposts boosted trade, making her capital a vibrant, multicultural hub. The lasting influence of this trade is still visible in present-day Xi'an.

Wu Zetian expanded the Imperial Palace on an unprecedented scale, building the immense Daming Palace, twice the size of Pompeii and five times larger than the Forbidden City. This colossal structure served as a powerful statement of her authority and allowed her to reinvent herself, distancing her from her humble past.

Wu Zetian cemented her support among the common people by patronizing Buddhism. She commissioned the rebuilding of the Great Wild Goose Pagoda to a staggering 300 feet, making it one of the tallest buildings in the world. She also ordered new Buddhist temples throughout her empire and funded the carving of a massive Buddha statue in the Longmen Grotto Caves, possibly modeled after herself, placing her at the heart of the dominant religion.

New archaeological discoveries of vast granaries designed to store rice reveal Wu Zetian as an efficient administrator. These improved grain stores ensured her people and soldiers were fed, contributing to the stability of her regime. She also implemented radical social reforms, allowing commoners into government administration, encouraging female entrepreneurs, and permitting women to divorce and remarry freely.

Wu Zetian appointed a female prime minister, Shangguan Wan'er. The deliberate destruction of Shangguan Wan'er's tomb by Wu's successor, Empress Wei Zun, suggests an intentional effort by the Confucian patriarchy to erase traces of female power. This destruction likely contributed to the negative historical accounts of Wu Zetian and other powerful women.

While archaeological finds offer a new perspective, some historical tales of Wu Zetian's ruthlessness are corroborated by new texts. Discoveries in Princess Yongtai's tomb suggest Wu, through her close allies, may have orchestrated the death of her own grand-daughter due to political machinations, highlighting her willingness to eliminate rivals, even family, to maintain power.

Towards the end of her life, troubled by her actions, Wu Zetian sought absolution. She commissioned a golden tablet detailing her sins and had it ceremonially cast down Mount Song, a visible act of repentance. Her reign, marked by great achievements in establishing China as a global superpower, empowering women, and fostering prosperity, ended with her abdication at the age of 80.

Wu Zetian was buried in Qianling, a massive mausoleum complex, alongside her husband. Her tomb is marked by a blank stele, inviting historians to write of her achievements. While historical accounts distorted her story for centuries, modern experts acknowledge her as a "maverick" and a powerful leader who proved that a woman could successfully lead in a man's world, leaving her legacy open to interpretation.