Significant People Of Ancient CHina
Learn about the significant people of Ancient China who shaped its culture today. From legendary empress, Wu Zetian to Chinese warrior, Xiang Yu. Find how they meandered their way into Chinese history and culture through battle and politics.
WU ZETIAN
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/9/8/40981309/1415947293.png)
Birth: 624BC
Death: 705BC
Profession: The first and only Empress in Chinese History to ascend the throne and rule the empire for over half a century.
Although Confucian beliefs which were dominant during her dynasty (Tang Dynasty) were opposed to having a woman ruler, Wu Zetian broke all precedents and founded her own dynasty, called the Zhou which interrupted the Tang Dynasty.
Before Empress Wu became the empress regnant she was wound up in political affairs and exercised her political opinion and strategies when her husband and later her sons reign for over thirty years. During the regime, Zetian reinforced centralisation and attached great importance in agricultural development. She launched a campaign to elevate the position of women in order to challenge Confucian beliefs that stated women can't rule. She also encouraged talented people to take part in her government. She ordered a monument to be built without words to have herself judged by her successors. In spite of her ruthless rise and reign, Empress Wu was a competent ruler throughout her reign.
Death: 705BC
Profession: The first and only Empress in Chinese History to ascend the throne and rule the empire for over half a century.
Although Confucian beliefs which were dominant during her dynasty (Tang Dynasty) were opposed to having a woman ruler, Wu Zetian broke all precedents and founded her own dynasty, called the Zhou which interrupted the Tang Dynasty.
Before Empress Wu became the empress regnant she was wound up in political affairs and exercised her political opinion and strategies when her husband and later her sons reign for over thirty years. During the regime, Zetian reinforced centralisation and attached great importance in agricultural development. She launched a campaign to elevate the position of women in order to challenge Confucian beliefs that stated women can't rule. She also encouraged talented people to take part in her government. She ordered a monument to be built without words to have herself judged by her successors. In spite of her ruthless rise and reign, Empress Wu was a competent ruler throughout her reign.
Xiang Yu
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/9/8/40981309/8580142.jpg?225)
Birth: 232 BC
Death: 202 BC
POB: Xiaxiang (In today's Jiangsu province)
Profession: Prominent military leader and politician in the late Qin Dynasty period.
A leader in of the famous Huiji rebellion against the Qin Empire, he is the embodiment of bravery in Chinese military history.
Following Xiang Liang (His uncle), Xiang Yu introduced and started the Kuaiji Rebellion to fight against the Qin. He led the Chu rebel forces to destroy the man forces of the Qin armies at the Battle of Julu (207 BC). Following the fall of the Qin Dynasty, Xiang Yu proclaimed himself as the "King of Western Chu" and ruled an area of land that spanned over nine counties of Liang and Chu along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River which were situated in parts of today's Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangsu, whilst Pengcheng (Today's Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province) was the capital.
Following this, Xiang Yu was engrossed in the struggles known as the Chu-Han contention period, for power with Liu Bang (The founder of the Han Dynasty). Liu Bang defeated Yu which caused him to commit suicide on the banks of the Wujiang River (In today's Anhui Province) in 202 BC.
Death: 202 BC
POB: Xiaxiang (In today's Jiangsu province)
Profession: Prominent military leader and politician in the late Qin Dynasty period.
A leader in of the famous Huiji rebellion against the Qin Empire, he is the embodiment of bravery in Chinese military history.
Following Xiang Liang (His uncle), Xiang Yu introduced and started the Kuaiji Rebellion to fight against the Qin. He led the Chu rebel forces to destroy the man forces of the Qin armies at the Battle of Julu (207 BC). Following the fall of the Qin Dynasty, Xiang Yu proclaimed himself as the "King of Western Chu" and ruled an area of land that spanned over nine counties of Liang and Chu along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River which were situated in parts of today's Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangsu, whilst Pengcheng (Today's Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province) was the capital.
Following this, Xiang Yu was engrossed in the struggles known as the Chu-Han contention period, for power with Liu Bang (The founder of the Han Dynasty). Liu Bang defeated Yu which caused him to commit suicide on the banks of the Wujiang River (In today's Anhui Province) in 202 BC.