Chinese Emperors And Leaders Codexery

Emperor Gaozong of Tang

Third Tang emperor who ceded rule to Empress Wu.

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Emperor Gaozong of Tang

Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China · CC0

Emperor Gaozong of Tang, personal name Li Zhi, was the third emperor of the Chinese Tang dynasty, ruling from 649 to 683.[1] From January 665 onward, Emperor Gaozong transferred control of the empire to his second wife, Empress Wu, whose directives were enforced more strictly than his own.[1][2]

Life and work

Emperor Taizong considered Li Zhi kind but weak in character and secretly discussed replacing him as crown prince with Li Ke.[3] Emperor Taizong died on 10 July 649, and Li Zhi was so mournful he could not act.[4] After a series of strokes left him incapacitated, Empress Wu aided him in rule.[2]

What the cited sources add

The same source notes a lively debate among historians about whether Wu exerted undue influence or they were equal partners.[5] Rothschild also records that from November 660 Wu was partially in control, and from January 665 to December 683 there was an equality of power, causing them to be called "two saints."[5] The Britannica account states that during the first part of his reign, Tang territorial gains continued, including conquests of Baekje, Goguryeo, and the Western Turkic Khaganate.[6] Much of those gains were lost in the 670s to the Tibetan Empire, Silla, Khitans, and Balhae.[6]

According to Rothschild's 2008 book, Gaozong's own illness, affection for Wu, and trust in her caused her to hold extensive authority in state matters until the conclusion of his reign.[5] Following Gaozong's death in December 683, Empress Wu assumed total control, eventually becoming the sole empress regnant in Chinese history.[5]

References

  1. Wikipedia, "Emperor Gaozong of Tang" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: According to Tang Taizong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, Li Zhi was born on the gengyin day in the 6th month of the 2nd year of the Zhen'guan era of Taizo; Volume 203 of Zizhi Tongjian recorded that Gaozong died in the night of the dingsi day of the 12th month of the 1st year of the Hongdao era of his reign. This d; "Gaozong Reign, China, Buddhism", Britannica.com, 1 January 2025 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia, "Emperor Gaozong of Tang" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Rothschild, N. Harry (2008). Wu Zhao: China's Only Woman Emperor (1st ed.). Pearson Education.; Rothschild, N. H. (2005). Wu Zhao's remarkable aviary. Southeast Review of Asian Studies, 27, 73.; Rothschild, N. Harry (2008). Wu Zhao: China's Only Woman Emperor (1st ed.). Pearson Education. p. 203. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  3. Wikipedia, "Emperor Gaozong of Tang" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: ( ) New Book of Tang, vol.80 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  4. Wikipedia, "Emperor Gaozong of Tang" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: According to Taizong's and Gaozong's biographies in the Old Book of Tang, Taizong died on the jisi day in the 5th month of the 23rd year of the Zhenguan era of (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  5. Wikipedia, "Emperor Gaozong of Tang" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Rothschild, N. Harry (2008). Wu Zhao: China's Only Woman Emperor (1st ed.). Pearson Education. pp. 50. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  6. Wikipedia, "Emperor Gaozong of Tang" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Gaozong Reign, China, Buddhism", Britannica.com, 1 January 2025 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org

Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Emperor Gaozong of Tang (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.

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Sources

Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.

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