Emperors of Tang Dynasty

 

Order	Name	Notes	Reign Time (years)
Tang Dynasty (618 - 907)
1	Tang Kao Tsu (Li Yuan)	A chancellor of the Sui Dynasty (581 - 618) who rose in rebellion; the founder of the Tang Dynasty	618 - 626
2	Tang Taizong (Li Shimin)	The second son of Li Yuan; a bold and powerful emperor good at both military strategy and Chinese calligraphy; His reign was called the Zhenguan Reign, which started the glorious period of Tang.	627 - 649
3	Tang Gaozong (Li Zhi)	The 9th son of Li Shimin; considered a weak emperor because he was assisted by Empress Wu Zetian for most of his reign	650 - 683
4	Tang Zhongzong (Li Xian)	Son of Lizhi and Wu Zetian; He was on the throne for two month in 684 before Wu deposed him. After Wu was deposed in 705, he ruled for five years with Empress Wei's interfering in court affairs	684, 705 - 710
5	Tang Ruizong (Li Dan)	The eighth son of Li Zhi and Wu Zetian; the fifth and ninth emperor of the Tang Dynasty; His first ruling period came after Wu deposed Li Xian. His second period of reign began after the coup by his sister Princess Taiping and his son Li Longji (later Xuanzong).	684 - 690, 710 - 712
Zhou Dynasty (690 - 705)
6	Wu Zetian	At first, she was a concubine of Taizong. Later, she became Gaozong's concubine after Taizong died. Finally, she won the power struggle and became the only woman emperor in Chinese history.	690 - 705
Continuation of the Tang Dynasty
7	Tang Shangdi (Li Chongmao)	Son of Zhongzong; was put on the throne by Empress Wei after she poisoned Zhongzong; After ruling briefly, he was forced to give the throne to his uncle Ruizong in a coup launched by Princess Taiping and Li Longji.	710
8	Tang Xuanzong (Li Longji)	Also called Emperor Ming of Tang; son of Ruizong; His reign was the longest in the Tang Dynasty and was known as the Heyday of Kaiyuan because of the unprecedented prosperity. His infatuation with his consort, Yan Guifei caused neglect of duty in his later years.	712 - 756
9	Tang Suzong (Li Heng)	Son of Xuanzong; He spent his reign suppressing the An Shi Rebellion. During his reign, eunuchs began to gain power.	756 - 762
10	Tang Daizong (Li Yu)	Son of Suzong; During his reign, the An Shi Rebellion was successfully suppressed. He believed in Buddhism so he spent lots of money building Buddhist temples, which added a great burden on Tang's national finance.	762 - 779
11	Tang Dezong (Li Shi)	The eldest son of Daizong; known as an industrious and thrifty emperor; During his reign, he tried, but failed, to control the power of the Fanzhen.	780 - 805
12	Tang Shunzong (Li Song)	The eldest son of Dezong; Though his reign was very short, he tried to improve the administration of the Tang court by making some reforms.	805
13	Tang Xianzong (Li Chun)	The eldest son of Shunzong; In his reign, the eunuchs' power became more rampant. Xianzong was murdered by a eunuch.	806 - 820
14	Tang Muzong (Li Heng)	Son of Xianzong; an unwise emperor who neglected duty and allowed the increasing power of Jiedushi (regional military governors)	821 - 824
15	Tang Jingzong (Li Zhan)	The eldest son of Muzong; a teenager emperor who ruled with the real power held by eunuchs and corrupt officials	824 - 826
16	Tang Wenzong (Li Ang)	The second son of Muzong; younger brother of Jingzong; His reign was still controlled by the eunuchs.	826 - 840
17	Tang Wuzong (Li Yan)	During his reign, the central power was under the control of military eunuchs for some time. As an emperor, he was known for the religious persecution of Buddhism.	840 - 846
18	Tang Xuanzong (Li Chen)	One of the most revolutionary emperors in the Tang Dynasty; He encouraged the development of culture and technology.	846 - 859
19	Tang Yizong (Li Cui)	The eldest son of Xuanzong; He was a lazy and unskillful emperor. Starting from his reign, the Tang Dynasty was in decline.	859 - 873
20	Tang Xizong (Li Xuan)	The fifth son of Yizong; In his reign, the Huang Chao Rebellion broke out which weakened the Tang regime.	873 - 888
21	Tang Zhaozong (Li Ye)	The seventh son of Yizong and younger brother of Xizong; With chaos and rebellions, his reign nominally remained the Tang Dynasty.	888 - 904
22	Tang Aidi (Li Zhu)	Son of Zhaozong; the last emperor in the Tang Dynasty; He was poisoned by Zhu Wen (a chancellor in late Tang) who founded the Later Liang Dynasty (907 - 923).	904 - 907