Wu

Empress Wu Zetian (624-705 AD) stands as the only woman to have ruled imperial China, rising from a teenage concubine to the powerful sovereign of a new dynasty. Navigating a treacherous court atmosphere marked by intrigue and rivalry, she secured her position through both cunning and ruthless strategies, influencing the Silk Road's zenith. Worshipped and reviled, her legacy as both a feminist icon and a controversial figure in Chinese history endures, prompting Jonathan Clements to explore the complexities of her life and the contrasting perceptions of her reign.