Wu Chengsi, nephew of Chinese sovereign Wu Zetian

Wu Chengsi

Prince Xuan of Wei

Wu Chengsi, courtesy name Fengxian, formally Prince Xuan of Wei (魏宣王), was a nephew of the Chinese sovereign Wu Zetian and an imperial prince of the Wu Zhou dynasty. He participated in her planning in taking the throne and had wanted to become crown prince after she claimed the…

History of China

The history of China spans several millennia across a wide geographical area. Each region now considered part of the Chinese world has experienced periods of unity, fracture, prosperity, and strife. Chinese civilization first emerged in the Yellow River valley, which along with…

Wu Zetian

Sole empress regnant of China (r. 690–705)

Wu Zetian, personal name Wu Zhao, was empress of China from 660 to 705, ruling first through others and later in her own right. She ruled as empress through her husband Emperor Gaozong and later as empress dowager through her sons Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong, from 660 to 690.…