Wu Zetian proclaims the Zhou dynasty
The only woman ever to rule China as emperor
In 690 Wu Zetian, who had ruled for decades in the name of her husband and sons, took the throne herself and proclaimed a new Zhou dynasty. She patronised Buddhism and promoted officials through the examinations; in 705 she was deposed and the Tang restored.
Wikipedia (Russian) · Wikipedia (English) · 7th century
Meanwhile around the world (±25 years)
Europe
- 680 Battle of Ongal — 10 years earlier
- 711–718 Umayyad conquest of Hispania — 21 years later
Middle East
- 680 Battle of Karbala — 10 years earlier
- 691 Dome of the Rock — 1 year later
Africa
- 698 Fall of Carthage and the Arab conquest of the Maghreb — 8 years later
- c. 700 The rise of the Kanem Empire — 10 years later
Alive at the time
- Wu Zetian (aged 66)
- Lady Six Sky (aged 8)