In 690AD, she forced him to step down, declaring herself the founding emperor of a new Zhou dynasty, and taking the name Wu Zetian. But as brutal as her rise to power undoubtedly was ...

The Longmen Grottoes remain one of the most sacred places in China. Which is why they were a perfect place for Wu Zetian, the country's first female ruler, to make a statement about her power.

Seeking to consolidate her grip on the Chinese throne, Empress Wu Zetian embarked on an audacious project: expanding the imperial palace on a scale never before seen in China, or the world.

Here, series presenter Rana Mitter tells the story of Wu Zetian, the female Emperor. Only one woman has ever sat on China’s throne as Emperor in her own right. That woman was Wu Zetian (624-705 ...