DDrift

Chapter 05 of 5

The Unmarked Tombstone

How male historians shaped the monster we remember today.

  1. The Aftermath

    A Final Breath

    In 705 CE, a coup forced the 80-year-old Wu Zetian to abdicate. She died shortly after, the only woman to ever officially rule China as Emperor.

  2. The burial

    Qianling Mausoleum

    Wu was buried alongside her husband, Emperor Gaozong. Her final resting place is a massive mountain complex guarded by stone warriors.

  3. The Mystery

    The Blank Stele

    While most emperors left long inscriptions of their deeds, Wu’s 24-foot tall commemorative stone was left completely blank. No words were carved upon it.

17 more cards in this chapter

Could you answer this?

What is unique about the large commemorative stone at Wu Zetian’s tomb?

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👑 Was Empress Wu a Monster?

  1. 01The Lowly ConcubineWu’s entrance into the Tang court and her early survival strategies.
  2. 02The Price of the ThroneDark rumors of infanticide and the elimination of the Empress.
  3. 03The People’s EmpressWu's meritocratic reforms that challenged the old aristocracy.
  4. 04Reign of the Secret PoliceThe terrifying surveillance state Wu built to crush dissent.
  5. 05The Unmarked TombstoneHow male historians shaped the monster we remember today.