**Disclaimer: Explicit language used. We also want to apologise for any mispronounced words or names. We want to strive to be respectful in relation to historical figures identities and names.

Phonetic Pronunciations:

Tang | ”唐" - (Ton-g)

Wu Zetian | “武则天” - (woo tseh-tyen)

Taizong | “太宗” - (tie-dzong or TY-dzawng)

This week Liz presents the astonishing and awe-inducing story of Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty. A woman “ahead of her time” who went from merchant’s daughter, to Royal Concubine, and becoming China’s first and only dynastic woman Emperor. A story so packed with twists, turns, scheming, propaganda and/or possible selective editorialising that Liz has to split it all into two parts! Join the gals to wonder, “is a treacherous fox born or created?” Then nearly immediately discuss and ponder an age-old question: “Would/Do dragons have cloacas?” Episode 7 will continue the story with even more enthralling events during Empress Wu’s reign... Empress Wu: Part II- Electric Boogaloo??

Bibliography/Sources Used ⁠Link⁠

Produced and Hosted by: Liz Ardeen and Desi McChesney

Special thanks

Logo credit: Tori Nelson Instagram (@torinelsonart)

Theme song by: Nick Lennon Instagram (@gothiclemonphoto)

and to listeners like you, thank you.

P.S.: The historical analysis and perspectives shared in this podcast are our own and don't reflect the views of any academic institution. We (the Hystorians) aim to meet academic standards in our research and sourcing, but this is not a peer-reviewed or official scholarly production. It is meant to inform, explore, and entertain.