Visual Timeline: Wu Zetian

To navigate the timeline, click and drag it with your mouse, or click on the timeline overview on the bottom.

620 CE 630 CE 640 CE 650 CE 660 CE 670 CE 680 CE 690 CE 700 CE  
 
624 CE - 705 CE: Life of Wu Zhao, Empress Wu Zetian of China.
 
638 CE: Wu Zhao becomes concubine of Emperor Taizong.
 
649 CE: Wu Zhao becomes First Concubine of Emperor Gaozong.
 
652 CE - 653 CE: Wu Zhao gives birth to sons, angers Gaozong's wife.
 
654 CE: Wu Zhao gives birth to daughter who is murdered; Gaozong's wife found guilty.
 
660 CE: Wu Zhao is power behind throne, institutes secret police.
 
666 CE: Wu Zhao leads women to Mount Tai, officiates at religious ceremony.
 
683 CE: Wu Zhao takes power when Gaozong dies.
 
683 CE - 690 CE: Wu Zhao tries to rule through her sons.
 
690 CE - 704 CE: Reign of Empress Wu Zetian in China.
 
690 CE: Wu Zhao proclaims herself Empress Wu Zetian, ruling under her own authority.
 
697 CE: Wu Zetian begins to lose power over court and country.
 
704 CE: Wu Zetian forced to abdicate in favor of her son Zhongzong.
 
705 CE: Death of Wu Zetian, only female emperor of China.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
620 CE 630 CE 640 CE 650 CE 660 CE 670 CE 680 CE 690 CE 700 CE