Wu Tse-t'ien (623-705) was empress of China. A strong-willed and capable ruler, she was the only female sovereign in China's long history.

Wu Tse-t'ien or Wu Chao is often known as Empress Wu. She was the daughter of a general of the first T'ang emperor, Kao-tsu, and was presented to his son, Emperor T'ai-tsung, as a concubine in 638. When T'ai-tsung died in 649, she, along with the imperial concubines, was required to leave the palace and enter a nunnery in the T'ang capital, Ch'angan.

The following year, unusual circumstances made it possible for Wu to return to the palace. Empress Wang, the wife of the new emperor Kao-tsung, felt insecure because she was not her husband's favorite. Hearing rumors that Wu had earlier attracted Kao-tsung, the Empress thought she could strengthen her position by patronizing and controlling Wu. Once back in the palace Wu turned against her benefactor but...