Wu Zetian was the only female emperor in Chinese history. As one of the country's most effective and controversial monarchs, Wu Zetian was feared and revered in equal measure.
The empress ruled with an iron grip, dispatching opponents swiftly and mercilessly. But she's also remembered for embarking on a series of political and social reforms that broke with tradition and elevated the role of women to previously unheard of heights.
So, how exactly did a lone woman become the only undisputed female sovereign in the history of China, and what precipitated her downfall? To find out, click on and continue reading.