Changes

Under Wu Zetian, the bureaucracy was expanded, along with the [[Chinese imperial exams|exams]] system. In theory, the exams and the bureaucracy were opened up to people from a wider range of ethnic and economic status backgrounds, but in practice, since the final level of the exams was based on appearance, poise, and speech, the system still very much favored those from an elite upbringing. Further, many used family connections or bribes to help secure government positions.

Under Wu Zetian, the bureaucracy was expanded, along with the [[Chinese imperial exams|exams]] system. In theory, the exams and the bureaucracy were opened up to people from a wider range of ethnic and economic status backgrounds, but in practice, since the final level of the exams was based on appearance, poise, and speech, the system still very much favored those from an elite upbringing. Further, many used family connections or bribes to help secure government positions.

The Tang (or, technically, the Zhou) reached its greatest heights of power and extent of geographic control under Empress Wu. Numerous conflicts with [[Tibet]] allowed for gradual expansion of Tang territory, and in the east, though China did not seek to take over Korea, it lend aid to the kingdom of [[Silla]] in its efforts to dominate the peninsula.

The Tang (or, technically, the Zhou) reached its greatest geographic extent under Empress Wu. Numerous conflicts with [[Tibet]] allowed for gradual expansion of Tang territory, and in the east, though China did not seek to take over Korea, it lend aid to the kingdom of [[Silla]] in its efforts to dominate the peninsula.

In [[693]], the empress declared herself the traditional great ruler of Buddhism, and banned fishing and the slaughter of animals; the following year, she declared herself to be an incarnation of [[Miroku|Maitreya]]. This was yet another action intended to help strengthen her claims of legitimacy as a female ruler, but may in fact represent the first of many rumors, or activities, associated with her lack of virtue as a ruler, eventually leading to her downfall. Following on the heels of various rumors about her sexual proclivities and activities, Empress Wu was overthrown in a palace coup in [[705]]. Her son Emperor Zhongzong, for whom she had served as regent from 683-690, retook the throne and restored the Tang Dynasty to power.

In [[693]], the empress declared herself the traditional great ruler of Buddhism, and banned fishing and the slaughter of animals; the following year, she declared herself to be an incarnation of [[Miroku|Maitreya]]. This was yet another action intended to help strengthen her claims of legitimacy as a female ruler, but may in fact represent the first of many rumors, or activities, associated with her lack of virtue as a ruler, eventually leading to her downfall. Following on the heels of various rumors about her sexual proclivities and activities, Empress Wu was overthrown in a palace coup in [[705]]. Her son Emperor Zhongzong, for whom she had served as regent from 683-690, retook the throne and restored the Tang Dynasty to power.