THE EMPEROR Wu Zhao (Wu Zetian)

A painting of Emperor Wu Zhao wearing a gold headdress and pink and blue patterned robe. — Emperor Wu Zhao, China’s only female Emperor

Over 2000 years of history, China had exactly one female emperor. Wu Zhao (also known as Wu Zetian) rose from fifth-ranked concubine (a glorified maid) to supreme ruler, effectively governing China for over fifty years. Her reign was one of the most peaceful and productive periods of the Tang Dynasty – so why does history remember her as a bloodthirsty, sexually depraved tyrant? Olivia interviews Professor of Chinese History and Wu Zhao biographer, N. Harry Rothschild.

Consultation and voiceover for this episode provided by Dr. Xiao Jing Miao, Research Fellow in Chinese Studies at Oxford University.

A full transcript of this episode is available here.

Wu Zhao as a younger woman, possibly while still only a concubine
public domain

An etching of Wu Zhao / Wu Zetian, aChinese woman in elaborate robe and flat-topped hat, looking downward and to the left. — illustration of Emperor Wu Zhao published c1690 (1000 years after her death)
public domain

A tall Buddha described as looking like Wu Zetianstands in a grotto surrounded by smaller statues — Wu Zhao’s “self-portrait” Bodhisattva statue at Longmen Grottoes near Xi’an
photo by GRN

Wu Ze Tian / Wu Zhao as shown in a 2015 television series — Wu Zhao as portrayed by Fan Bingbing in China’s 2014 series “The Empress of China”
official publicity poster

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a tiered ancient building in modern-day Xi'an — The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Wu Zhao’s Buddhist temple in modern day Xi’an.
photo by Alex Kwok

An uninscribed funeral stelae stands in front of Wu Zetian / Wu Zhao's tomb — Wu Zhao’s uninscribed funeral stelae still stands in front of her tomb outside Xi’an
photo from 猫猫的日记本

Two large tomb buildlings rise on either side of a large paved road, for Gaozong and Wu Zhao / Wu Zetian — Qianling Mausoleum
The tomb of Wu Zhao and Gaozong
photo from 猫猫的日记本

A painting of a Chinese man, Wu Ze Tian's first husband, seated attended by two women. — Emperor Taizong, Wu Zhao’s first husband
public domain

Wu Ze Tian / Wu Zhao's second husband, watercolor and ink portrait — Emperor Gaozong, Wu Zhao’s second husband
public domain

Emperor Zhongzong, Wu Zhao’s 5th son (who eventually deposed her and failed to inscribe anything on her memorial stelae)
public domain

N. Harry Rothschild was a Professor of Chinese History at the University of North Florida and the author of The World of Wu Zhao: Annotated Selections from Zhang Zhuo’s Court and Country, Wu Zhao: China’s Only Woman Emperor and Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers. Dr. Rothschild’s teaching career spanned nearly a quarter of a century, beginning as a K-12 substitute in the hills of western Maine after he graduated from Harvard University in 1992 with a B.A. in East Asian Language and Civilizations and “cleverly decided to write a novel on bronzecasting and kingship in Shang China in his parents’ basement.” From 1988 to 1990, he lived, studied Mandarin, and worked in Beijing. Dr. Rothschild died in December 2021.

THE EMPEROR Wu Zhao (Wu Zetian)

Music featured in this episode included

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