4.+The+Second+Zhou+Dynasty+(690-705)

The Zhou dynasty, while very short in the scope of Chinese history, is also very unique. Not only did it interrupt the power of the Tang dynasty at its peak, but it also set many firsts. Empress Wu Zetian was the first and only Empress Regent of China. She assumed power under the Second Zhou Dynasty for 80 years. This strange, and short lived empire appeared in the middle of the Tang’s control of China. She ruled from 665-690 by taking power from her family, and then decided that was not enough. She attempted to recreate the Zhou Empire, the long lasting empire in Chinese history, and named herself the ruler. Known as Sacred and Diving Empress Regent, she went so far as to invent and spread Buddhist texts that predicted her reign and absolute divinity. This was a great rise from her rather humble beginnings as a concubine to emperor Taizong, and then consort to Emperor Gaozong. By casting untrue suspicion on her rivals, and eventually having them killed, she became sole empress. In the subsequent years, she killed her daughter, and framed Empress Wang, and her son, so she could grab complete power. She exiled the rest of her children save one, who acted as emperor after the death of her husband. She controlled this child so completely that no one was in doubt of who was really in control. Her unpopularity was widespread at this point, but not universal. Her rise to power was bringing the beginning of equality of the sexes to China. After her death, the movement ceased completely for the next few centuries, but her name, and her power obsessed dynasty, was never forgotten.

ABOVE: Statue of Empress Wu Zetian