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NOTE ON NAMES: Each Emperor at birth received a given name identical in structure to that of ordinary Chinese: a surname followed by the personal name. For example, the surname of Taizong is Li and his personal name was Shi-min. At the accession of the Emperor the personal name became taboo. He would simply be referred to as The Emperor. After the death of an Emperor, court historians devised a posthumous name to be employed in Confucian religious rites. This is called the temple name, and it is the name most often used by historians. Reign Temple Name Personal Name Comments 618-626 Gaozu Li Yuan Was persuaded to rebel against the Sui dynasty by his son Li Shi-min who led and organised the military campaigns. Although Li Yuan was the official founder of the Tang dynasty, it was really his son Li Shi-min who did all the work 627-649 Taizong Li Shi-min A wise and able ruler, and was as well-versed at politics as he was at military affairs. During his reign China flourished, seeing a population explosion, an economy boom, a flowering of the arts and culture and the expansion of her borders. 650-683 Gaozong Li Zhi A well-meaning but weak man who allowed his domineering wife Wu Zetian to run the state and become the power behind the throne. 684-685 Zhongzong Li Xian A puppet emperor, influenced by his consort: Empress Wei. Was removed from the throne after only 54 days by his mother: Wu Zetian. 685-690 Ruizong Li Dan Another puppet emperor, controlled by his mother Wu Zetian. Abdicated in favor of his mother in 690 AD 690-705 Wu Zetian Click for Wu Zetian Timeline Wu Zhao The only woman to rule as "Emperor" in 5000 years of Chinese history. Although depicted as a wicked woman by most Chinese scholars she was actually wise and capable. She instituted the imperial examination system and governed China ably. 705-709 Zhongzong Li Xian In the last year of Wu Zetian's life, Li Xian took a chance to coup, regained the power and recovered the name "Tang". The court was dominated by Empress Wei while he was Emperor. 710-712 Ruizong Li Dan After Zhongzong's death, Ruizong's sister (Princess Taiping) and his son (Li Longji) killed Empress Wei and seized power, putting Ruizong on the throne. One year later, he abdicated the throne to Longji. 713-755 Xuanzong or "Tang Ming Huang" Li Long-ji This was a period of cultural flourishing. The brilliance of the art, literature, and poetry during this period attests to an unparalleled and glorious flowering of creativity. However in Xuanzong's later life, he became infatuated with the concubine Yang Gui-fei, and neglected state affairs. Incursions by barbarians became more common and the Chinese army and economy declined in strength due to bureaucratic corruption. Later, a big rebellion broke out, that began the slow decline of the Tang. 756-762 Suzong Li Heng During the rebellion of An Lushan, Xuanzong abdicated to his son Li Heng. After putting the rebellion down, the time that eunuches domineered began. 763-779 Daizong Li Yu 780-804 Dezong Li Shi 805-805 Shunzong Li Song 806-820 Xianzong Li Chun An intelligent emperor who was murdered by several eunuches. 821-824 Muzong Li Heng 825-826 Jingzong Li Zhan Killed by the eunuches when he was just 18 827-840 Wenzong Li Ang A wise emperor, but since Event of Dew (a plan to eliminate the eunuches who controlled the government) failed, he was put under house arrest and died in despression. 841-846 Wuzong Li Yan 847-859 Xuanzong Li Zhen 860-873 Yizong Li Cui 874-888 Xizong Li Yan The biggest rebellion in the Tang broke out. The leaders were Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao. Although the rebel was put down at last, the Tang dynasty was on the edge of ruin. 889-903 Zhaozong Li Yi 904-906 Aidi Li Zhu