1. An Individual of the Postclassical Period
WU ZETIAN
An Individual of the Postclassical Period
By: Kimaya Padgaonkar
{A Buddha statue that Empress Wu Zetian had carved into the 1000 Buddha Caves at Luoyang, China, bearing resemblance to the empress herself.}

2. Themes/Trends during the Postclassical Era 500-1450 CE
World
China
Expansion/Influence
Trade
Religion
Blending of old and new
Attitudes toward Women
Religion/Favorable Changes
Trade/Demeaning customs
Thirst for Power
Chinese influence on Japan, Korea, and Vietnam which became key parts of a network of interregional trade
Buddhism adapted to Chinese values
Women
Spiritually equal to men
Used as ornaments; practices of footbinding and concubines
People went to unimaginable lengths to gain power; power = success; emperors, cycle of dynasties

3. Facts about Wu Zetian Born in 624 CE to an influential noble
Fluent in the arts of reading, writing, and music
Assigned to the “Cairen” or fifth level of the concubine at age fourteen
Nicknamed “Charming Lady”
Declared emperor in 690 CE during the Tang Dynasty
Only female in Chinese history to rule as an emperor.
Chinese Buddhism achieved its highest development under her reign
Gave up throne in 705 CE and died later that same year

4. A Story
After Emperor Taizong died, causing his concubines to relocate to convent, Wu Zhao must have thought her future had dwindled down to its end. But Wu was in luck as Taizong’s son Emperor Kao Tsung was captivated by her beauty. After she was freed from the convent and released into the clutches of the concubines, Wu’s position was raised from the “fifth grade” to the “second grade.”
Wu’s thirst for power was stimulated right away when she realized that as long as her competition was eliminated, she would have a path clear of obstacles. So she devised a plan. Wu decided to strangle her new born baby daughter and immediately thereafter accused the current empress of murder. The empress had even been witnessed alone with the baby before its death. The emperor banished the empress and the head concubine from his palace and Wu had attained her goal. Later upon receiving title of empress, her name changed from Wu Zhao to the Empress Wu Zetian.

5. Characteristics…evidence
Intelligent…well versed in the arts of reading, writing, and music
Beautiful…welcomed graciously into Emperors Taizong’s and Tsung’s concubines
Cunning…plotted an ingenious and successful plan to rise to power
Malicious…killed her own newborn baby daughter
Driven…stretched beyond typical limits to quench thirst for power
Devious…tricked Taizong into making her empress
Unique… ignored the Confucian belief that a woman ruler would be as unnatural as having a "hen crow like a rooster at daybreak"
Able… ruled China during one of its peaceful and culturally diverse periods as an emperor of the Tang dynasty
Fair…lowered the oppressive taxes against peasants
Productive…strengthened public works and agricultural economy

6. Demonstrated Theme/Trend of the Postclassical Era
Empress Wu Zetian
Demonstrated Theme/Trend of the Postclassical Era
Placed Buddhism over Daoism as the favored state religion; Buddhism adapted to Chinese values
Confined to concubines; women treated as ornaments; never expected to become an emperor
Satisfied her power hunger by killing her daughter, thought of no other alternative, deceived the emperor, gained status ultimately became a successful emperor
Religion/Blending of old and new customs
Attitudes toward Women/Demeaning Customs
Thirst for Power

7. Works Cited http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b3wuempress.htm
Google images