List of emperors of the Tang Dynasty
Temple names
Gao Zu
Tai Zong
Gao Zong
Zhong Zong
Rui Zong
Zhou Dynasty
Shang Di
Xuan Zong
Su Zong
Dai Zong
De Zong
Shun Zong
Xian Zong
Mu Zong
Jing Zong
Wen Zong
Wu Zong
Xuan Zong
Yi Zong
Xi Zong
Zhou Zong
Ai Di or Zhaoxuan Di
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Chinese family name and first name
Li Yuan
Li Shimin
Li Zhi
Li Zhe
Li Dan
Wu Zetian
Li Dan
Li Longji
Li Heng
Li Yu
Li Kuo
Li Song
Li Chun
Li Heng
Li Zhan
Li Ang
Li Yan
Li Chen
Li Cui
Li Xuan
Li Ye
Li Zhu
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Period of Reign
618-626
626-649
650-683
684 also(705-710)
684-690 also(710-712)
690-705
710
712-756
756-762
762-779
780-805
805
806-820
821-824
824-826
826-840
840-846
846-859
859-873
873-888
888-904
904-907
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I choose two example emperors in the Tang Dynasty. One is Wu Zetian: She is the first one also the only one emperor in the chinese history.Another one is Tang Taizong. The time under his period is very wonderful. People have happy life, and there are some famous poet and painter in this time. Li Bai is the symbol for the poet. He also create his own styles. Poet at that time also like connect their poetry with the painting.
Emperor Taizong of Tang
Tang Taizong was born in 599 as Li Shimin to the Empress Dou, the second son of Emperor Gaozu. He married EmpressWende. Taizong is his temple name, given posthumously. It means "Supreme Ancestor." He had 14 sons. Before he became emperor, he was known for his military successes under his father. He is described as a man of exceptional character with a keen rational intelligence. He is highly esteemed for his scholarly and administrative qualities. He was well educated in the classics. His reign is described as the epitome of Confucian rule. He was an excellent scholar and calligrapher, attracted able ministers, had close relations with his advisors, accepted criticism and lived frugally. His interests included the arts and natural history.
Wu Zetian
Wu Zetian was the only female emperor in the Chinese feudal dynasties spanning more than 4,000 years.At the age of 14, Wu Zetian was selected into the imperial court by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, thanks to her engaging beauty. But she was not very much in favor with the Emperor. In the imperial harem, she got to know one of the sons of Emperor Taizong-Li Zhi. After the death of Emperor Taizong, Wu Zetian was sent to Ganye Temple to be a nun. When Li Zhi ascended the throne, he recalled her to the imperial court.In the intrigue-filled imperial harem, Wu Zetian was merciless and cruel. She would use clever tricks to make the queen and other concubines out of favor with the emperor.
The stable society and booming economy during her reign laid a foundation for “the Kaiyuan Flourishing Age” later in the Tang Dynasty.In the end, she succeeded in the struggles and became queen.After the death of Emperor Gaozong, Wu Zetian appointed and annulled her sons as emperor for several times. At last, she made herself emperor and changed the title of the Dynasty to “Zhou”.In 705 AD, Prime Minister Zhang Jianzhi reinstated Wu Zetian’s son as Emperor (Zhongzong) in a coup when she was old and sick. In the winter of the same year, Wu Zetian died at the age of 82. The great poet Li Bai of the Tang Dynasty listed Wu Zetian as one of the “Seven Sages” of the dynasty