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Emperor Gaozong of Tang
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| Emperor Gaozong of Tang 唐高宗 | |||||||||||||
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| Huangdi 皇帝 Khan of Heaven 天可汗 | |||||||||||||
 Qing dynasty illustration of Gaozong | |||||||||||||
| Emperor of the Tang dynasty | |||||||||||||
| Reign | 15 July 649 – 27 December 683 | ||||||||||||
| Coronation | 15 July 649 | ||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Emperor Taizong | ||||||||||||
| Successor | Emperor Zhongzong (Under regency of Empress Zetian) | ||||||||||||
| Regent | Empress Wu | ||||||||||||
| Prince of Jin | |||||||||||||
| Reign | 631 – 30 April 643 | ||||||||||||
| Crown Prince of the Tang dynasty | |||||||||||||
| Reign | 30 April 643 – 15 July 649 | ||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Li Chengqian, Prince Min of Hengshan | ||||||||||||
| Successor | Li Hong, Emperor Xiaojing | ||||||||||||
| Born | 21 July 628[1] Lizheng Palace, Chang'an, Tang China | ||||||||||||
| Died | 27 December 683 (aged 55)[2] Zhenguan Palace, Luoyang, Tang China | ||||||||||||
| Burial | |||||||||||||
| Consorts | Empress Wang (dep. 655) Empress Wu (m. 651–683) | ||||||||||||
| Issue | Li Zhong Li Xiao Li Shangjin Li Sujie Li Hong Li Xian Emperor Zhongzong Emperor Ruizong Princess Jincheng Princess Gao'an Princess Taiping | ||||||||||||
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| House | Li | ||||||||||||
| Dynasty | Tang | ||||||||||||
| Father | Emperor Taizong | ||||||||||||
| Mother | Empress Wende | ||||||||||||
| Tang Gaozong | |||||||||||
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| Chinese | 唐高宗 | ||||||||||
| Literal meaning | "High Ancestor of the Tang" | ||||||||||
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| Li Zhi | |||||||||||
| Chinese | 李治 | ||||||||||
| Literal meaning | (personal name) | ||||||||||
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Emperor Gaozong of Tang (21 July 628[1] – 27 December 683[2]), personal name Li Zhi, was the third emperor of the Chinese Tang dynasty, ruling from 649 to 683; after January 665, he handed power over the empire to his second wife Empress Wu (the future Wu Zetian), and her decrees were carried out with greater force than the decrees of Emperor Gaozong's. Emperor Gaozong was the youngest son of Emperor Taizong and Empress Zhangsun; his elder brothers were Li Chengqian and Li Tai.
Emperor Gaozong's reign saw the primacy of Empress Wu, who became the effective power behind the Tang rule. Emperor Gaozong was aided in his rule by Empress Wu during the later years of his reign after a series of strokes left him incapacitated. Emperor Gaozong effectively after January 665 delegated all matters of state to his strong wife; after that Empress Wu acted as the power behind the emperor, "hanging the curtain and listening to politics" (Chuílián tīngzhèng 垂簾聼政). Gaozong's personal illness, over-affection and trust of Wu led to her wielding a great deal of power in affairs of state until the end of his reign while exerting her influence on him. Empress Wu was partially in control of power from November 660 and then totally from January 665 to December 683; there was an equality of power between Gaozong and Wu, which caused them to be called "two saints" (二聖, Er Sheng, literally two emperors) both inside and outside. After Emperor Gaozong died in December 683, power fell completely and solely into the hands of Empress Wu, acting as Empress Dowager-regent, "presiding over court and issuing edicts" (lin chao chengzhi 臨朝稱制); she subsequently became the only empress regnant in Chinese history. After his death, he was interred at the Qian Mausoleum along with Wu Zetian.
During the first part of his reign, Tang territorial gains, which started with his father Emperor Taizong, continued, including the conquest of Baekje, Goguryeo, and the Western Turkic Khaganate, but throughout the 670s, much of those gains were lost to the Tibetan Empire, Silla, Khitans, and Balhae. Further, territory previously conquered that belonged to both the Göktürks and the Western Turkic Khaganate were subjected to repeated rebellions.
- ^ a b According to Tang Taizong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, Li Zhi was born on the gengyin day in the 6th month of the 2nd year of the Zhen'guan era of Taizong's reign. This corresponds to 21 Jul 628 in the Gregorian calendar. [(貞觀二年)六月庚寅，皇子治生] Old Book of Tang, vol. 2
- ^ a b Volume 203 of Zizhi Tongjian recorded that Gaozong died in the night of the dingsi day of the 12th month of the 1st year of the Hongdao era of his reign. This date corresponds to 27 Dec 683 in the Gregorian calendar. [(弘道元年)十二月，丁巳，...。是夜，....，上崩於貞觀殿。] Zizhi Tongjian, vol.203.
- ^ Given in 684.
- ^ Given in 754.
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