Empress Wu

Definition

Empress Wu, also known as Wu Zetian, was the only female emperor in Chinese history, ruling during the Tang Dynasty from 690 to 705 CE. She is a significant figure due to her unprecedented rise to power, transforming the imperial structure and policies of ancient China while promoting Buddhism and her own family's interests.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Empress Wu began her political career as a concubine of Emperor Gaozong before becoming empress and eventually taking control of the throne.
2. She is credited with implementing significant political reforms, including expanding the civil service examination system, which helped create a more merit-based bureaucracy.
3. Empress Wu was a patron of Buddhism, helping to promote the religion in China and commissioning numerous temples and statues during her reign.
4. Her rule faced opposition from Confucian scholars who believed that a woman should not hold power; however, she effectively silenced her critics through political maneuvering and purges.
5. Empress Wu established the Zhou Dynasty for a brief period, declaring herself emperor and changing the name of the dynasty from Tang to Zhou before it reverted back after her death.

Review Questions

• How did Empress Wu's rise to power challenge traditional gender roles in ancient China?
  • Empress Wu's rise to power challenged traditional gender roles by breaking the norm of male dominance in political leadership. She moved from being a concubine to the most powerful figure in China, ruling as emperor. Her ascension demonstrated that women could wield significant political influence, which was especially remarkable in a society deeply rooted in Confucian ideals that emphasized male authority.
• Discuss the impact of Empress Wu's policies on the civil service examination system in ancient China.
  • Empress Wu's policies had a lasting impact on the civil service examination system by promoting meritocracy over aristocratic privilege. She supported expanding the examination process to include more candidates from diverse backgrounds, which helped create a more competent and efficient government. This reform not only strengthened her administration but also laid the groundwork for future bureaucratic practices in China.
• Evaluate how Empress Wu's promotion of Buddhism influenced the political landscape of her reign.
  • Empress Wu's promotion of Buddhism significantly influenced the political landscape of her reign by using the religion as a means to legitimize her rule and consolidate power. By championing Buddhist institutions and aligning herself with Buddhist teachings, she gained support from religious communities, which helped counteract opposition from Confucian scholars. Her efforts led to a flourishing of Buddhist culture in China and demonstrated how religion could intersect with politics to shape governance during her time.

Related terms

Tang Dynasty: A golden age of Chinese civilization from 618 to 907 CE known for its cultural, political, and economic achievements, as well as for being the period during which Empress Wu ruled.

Buddhism:

A major world religion that influenced Chinese culture during Empress Wu's reign, as she actively promoted Buddhist practices and institutions to legitimize her rule.

Civil Service Exam: An examination system established during the Sui and Tang dynasties that helped select government officials based on merit rather than family connections, which Empress Wu supported to strengthen her administration.