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History
Empress Wu 25 Jan 2007
Palace ladies of the Tang Dynasty
Wu – the Chinese Empress who schemed, seduced and murdered her way to the top.
Regarded by some as the most evil woman in the history of China – the Empress Wu lived in the 7th century, and has been accused of killing her mother, her own child, and countless rivals in her bid for power. Yet she set up orphanages, enhanced the position of women, and made it possible for lower classes to advance in Government – so who is the real Wu, and what should we make of her today?
Jonathan Clements, has written a biography of this remarkable woman - he joins Sheila to explain why she’s been misunderstood.

Photograph Courtesy of Johnathan Clements


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