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Wu Zetian (February 17, 624 - December 16, 705) or Wu Zetian, often called Empress Wu or Empress Tian, was a concubine in the harem of Emperor Taizong of Tang Li Shimin, later became the second Empress of Emperor Gaozong of Tang Li Zhi, later became Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty which interrupted the Tang Dynasty. She was the mother of two successive emperors, Emperor Zhongzong of Tang Li Xian and Emperor Ruizong of Tang Li Dan.
Together with her title of Empress Dowager and Emperor Gaozong of Tang, the two co-reigned for a long time and were both called the Two Sages. After Gaozong of Tang died, Empress Dowager served as Empress Dowager for the reigns of Zhongzong of Tang and Ruizong of Tang, and finally became the sole Emperor of the Wuzhou Dynasty, which she founded and lasted from 690 to 705. With no woman before or after her being recognized as an Emperor, Wu Zetian became the only recognized Empress in Chinese history. However, the Old Book of Tang and the New Book of Tang still referred to her as "Empress Dowager" even after she declared herself emperor, due to the problem of not recognizing her status in the old era.
During her 15-year reign under the title of Shengshen Huangdi, Wu Zetian expanded China's territory, reaching into Central Asia, but in the later period, her China lost much territory in Manchuria and the Liaodong Peninsula due to the establishment of the Balhae Kingdom in 698 and Little Goguryeo in 699. Many Chinese territories in the northwest were also lost to the Later Turkic Khanate during her later reign. The secession of the Khitans in the area around Yingzhou (present-day Beijing) and the invasions of the Later Turkic Khanate also posed a great threat to her government. She encouraged the development of Buddhism domestically, focused on socio-economic development, and maintained domestic stability. However, due to the deeply rooted male-female ideology in feudal society, coupled with the cruel and harsh nature of governance, many former Tang Dynasty officials were not convinced. At the end of her life, she had two male favorites, her cousins Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi, who were promiscuous in the palace. Because she favored her two brothers, she indulged them in their tyranny, causing many ministers to be discontented. In 705, the reigning Prime Minister Zhang Jianzhi and his ministers launched a coup, forcing Empress Wu to abdicate and put Emperor Zhongzong of Tang on the throne for the second time. She was imprisoned in Shangyang Palace in Luoyang until her death not long after, at the age of 82. She also became one of the three longest-lived Chinese emperors, alongside Emperor Wu of Liang Xiaoyan (87 years old) and Emperor Gaozong of Qing, Qianlong (89 years old).
Her rise to power was strongly criticized by Confucian historians, who often compared her to Empress Lu of the Han Dynasty for her tyranny and cruelty, commonly known as Lü Wu. When assessing Chinese history in general, Wu Zetian and the other two "Empresses without a Crown", Empress Lu and Empress Dowager Cixi, were the three women with the highest power ever to appear in the feudal courts of China. They were considered by the people to be cruel and inhumane women even to their relatives, causing the country to collapse. However, historians since the 1950s have assessed her more balancedly. Wu Zetian had some bad points such as cruelly killing many relatives, and being harsh and terrifying to the people, but she knew how to value talented people, reward and punish them strictly, and the people living under her reign had enough to eat and wear, and lived in peace and prosperity.
Legendary Commander only obtained in KVK event
Extremely versatile, a good early, mid and even late game champion.
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Jadwiga Review:
Legendary cavalry commander, garrison leader.
Build excellent talents and skills for the garrison.
The first commander of Rise of Kingdoms specializes in defending garrison using cavalry units.
His command roles in both the Main and Sub positions were excellent, he performed as a unique commander in his own style, thanks to the efficiency he achieved in any situation or mission we assigned him.
Jadwiga Skills:
Passive skill 3
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Flavius Belisarius was a Byzantine general who lived during the 6th century AD. He is often considered one of the greatest generals of the Byzantine Empire. Belisarius is known as one of the “Last Romans” – one of the last individuals to embody the virtues of the Roman Empire.
Flavius played a key role in Emperor Justinian's plans to reconquer the Mediterranean territories previously controlled by the Western Roman Empire, leading imperial armies against the Sasanian (Persian) Empire, the Vandal kingdom of North Africa, the Ostrogothic regime of Italy, and the barbarian tribes invading Constantinople.
Initially a member of Justinian's guard, Flavius came to the emperor's attention at an early age and was appointed his first commander at the age of 25. Not much is known about Belisarius' personal life, but there were two main motivations that guided his actions; loyalty to the emperor and love for his wife, Antonina. Despite the inconsistent treatment he received from Justinian, Belisarius' loyalty never wavered and his loyalty has gone down in history as one of the noblest elements of Justinian's reign.
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Aliénor of Aquitaine (1122 or 1124 – 1 April 1204) was one of the most powerful and wealthy women in Western Europe during the High Middle Ages, a member of the Ramnulfid dynasty (also known as the House of Poitiers, the ruling family of southwestern France). She became Duchess of Aquitaine as a child, ruling independently of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. She later became Queen of France (1137–1152) and Queen of England (1154–1189). She was a patron of writers such as Wace, Benoît de Sainte-Maure, and Bernart de Ventadorn.
Aliénor's inheritance of Aquitaine made her the most prestigious bride in Europe. Three months after becoming Duchess, she married Louis VII of France, son of Louis VI of France, her protector. As Queen of France, her husband had gone on the Second Crusade. She later sought an annulment, but it was rejected by Pope Eugene III. However, after the birth of their second daughter Alix, Louis agreed to a divorce because they had not had a son after 15 years of marriage. They were formally annulled on March 11, 1152, with their daughters remaining legitimate and Louis retaining custody of them, while Aliénor's lands were restored to her.
Soon after the divorce was granted, Aliénor became engaged to Henry, Duke of Normandy and Count of Anjou, who became King of England in 1154. Henry was related to her, and was nine years her junior. Their wedding took place on 18 May 1152, about eight weeks after Aliénor's annulment, in a church in Poitiers, France. Over the next 13 years, she bore Henry eight children: five sons and three daughters. However, Henry and Aliénor later became estranged. Henry imprisoned her in 1173 for helping her son rebel against the king. She was not released until 6 July 1189, when the king died and their son, Richard I, became King of England.
When Richard I went on the Third Crusade, Aliénor remained in the Kingdom and acted as regent, but when the king returned he was arrested and imprisoned by her. John, her youngest son, succeeded him as King of England and she remained the ultimate regent.
She is considered the richest and most powerful woman of the entire Middle Ages until the 17th century. In addition, she lived the longest of all the queens of England, second only to Elizabeth. Previously, Emma of Normandy was also considered the queen with the longest life span.
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