武周政權成立の前提 (特集 唐代史の諸問題)

Abstract

In the political and social uneasiness as the result of the declining land distribution system Empress Wu (武后) emerged as a powerful sovereign to destroy the power of the T'ang (唐) imperial clan by marriage. The empress who was supported by the growing class of landlords and big merchants came into conflict with the aristocracy, and adopted a strong policy to put the empire under her own control, taking advantage of the revolts of Li Ching-yeh (李敬業) and Prince Cheng Yueh (越王貞). The establishment of Empress Wu's power was due to weakening of the aristocracy and the pressure of the growing landlord and merchant classes, but this does not mean that Empress Wu's rule represented the interest of the landlord class. It should be recognized at least that Empress Wu played an extremely important role in the growing power of the landlord class and in destroying the land distribution system.