Episode 2: Wu Zetian: The Concubine Who Conquered China

Alex Calder delves into the extraordinary rise of Wu Zetian, the only woman in 4,000 years of Chinese history to rule as emperor in her own right. The episode traces Wu's remarkable journey from fifth-tier concubine to absolute ruler of Tang Dynasty China, examining her ruthless methods for eliminating rivals alongside her surprisingly progressive governance. Alex explores how Wu legitimized her rule through Buddhist propaganda, expanded the civil service examination system, improved conditions for farmers, and strengthened China's defenses during her half-century of effective power. The episode also confronts Wu's complex legacy, from her posthumous vilification by Confucian historians to modern reassessments recognizing her as one of China's most capable rulers, revealing how exceptional women have been subject to different historical standards than their male counterparts.