# Emperor Shenzong of Song

> 6th emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty

**Wikidata**: [Q7483](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7483)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Shenzong_of_Song)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/emperor-shenzong-of-song

## Summary
Emperor Shenzong of Song, born Zhao Xu, was the sixth monarch of the Northern Song Dynasty in China, reigning from 1067 until his death in 1085. As a member of the human species and a hereditary aristocrat, he is historically defined by his role as a ruler who implemented significant reforms during his tenure. His full posthumous title honors his contributions as the "Shen Zong" emperor, marking him as a central figure in the Song dynasty's imperial history.

## Biography
- **Born**: May 25, 1048
- **Nationality**: Chinese (Citizenship: Song dynasty)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Serving as the 6th emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty and implementing major state reforms
- **Employer(s)**: Song dynasty (as the reigning monarch)
- **Field(s)**: Imperial governance, Monarchy, Aristocracy

## Contributions
Based strictly on the provided source material, specific concrete outcomes such as published papers, founded companies, or patented inventions are not detailed. The source material identifies his primary contribution as his role as a **ruler** and **monarch** of the **Song dynasty**. His reign is the central fact of his biography, characterized by his leadership of the state during the Northern Song period. The source lists his full posthumous honorific title, **紹天法古運德建功英文烈武欽仁聖孝皇帝**, which serves as a formal recognition of his imperial achievements and legacy within the dynasty.

## FAQs
**Who was Emperor Shenzong of Song?**
He was the sixth emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty, a former imperial dynasty of China. Born as Zhao Xu, he held the title of monarch and ruled over the region during the late 11th century.

**What are the key dates associated with his life?**
Emperor Shenzong was born on May 25, 1048, and passed away on April 1, 1085. These dates mark the beginning and end of his life and his period of rule.

**What titles and names is he known by?**
He is widely known as Emperor Shenzong of Song or simply Shen Zong. His personal name was Zhao Xu, and he is also referred to by the alias Zhao Zhongzhen. His full posthumous title is 紹天法古運德建功英文烈武欽仁聖孝皇帝.

**What is his historical classification?**
He is classified as a human, a monarch, a ruler, and an aristocrat. He was a member of the unique extant species of the genus Homo and held hereditary titles granted by the imperial system.

## Why They Matter
Emperor Shenzong of Song matters because he served as the sixth head of state for the Northern Song Dynasty, a pivotal era in Chinese history. As a monarch and ruler, his decisions directly influenced the governance and direction of the Song dynasty, which existed from 960 AD. His reign represents a specific chapter in the lineage of Chinese emperors, connecting the aristocratic structures of the time to the broader historical narrative of the region. Without his leadership during his specific tenure, the continuity of the Northern Song imperial line would have been interrupted, altering the historical record of the dynasty.

## Notable For
- Being the 6th emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty.
- Holding the posthumous title: 紹天法古運德建功英文烈武欽仁聖孝皇帝.
- Serving as a monarch and ruler of the Song dynasty.
- Being a member of the aristocracy with hereditary titles.
- Living from 1048 to 1085, a period of 37 years.
- Being identified by the Chinese name 赵顼 (Zhao Xu).
- Holding the Wikidata identifier Q116, Q1097498, Q2478141 for his occupation.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
Emperor Shenzong of Song is fundamentally categorized as a human, belonging to the unique extant species of the genus Homo. In terms of social and political structure, he is defined as a monarch, serving as the person at the head of a monarchy. He also fits the definition of a ruler, a person who reigns over a certain region or country, specifically the territory governed by the Song dynasty. Furthermore, as a member of the imperial family, he is classified as an aristocrat, a person who possesses hereditary titles granted by a monarch or is related to such people. His citizenship is tied to the Song dynasty, a former imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 AD.

### Vital Statistics and Chronology
The timeline of Emperor Shenzong's life is precisely recorded in the source data. He was born on May 25, 1048, marking the start of his existence. His life concluded on April 1, 1085, indicating a lifespan of approximately 36 years. These dates are critical for placing his reign within the broader context of the Northern Song Dynasty. The source material provides specific identifiers for these dates, ensuring accurate historical referencing.

### Names and Titles
Emperor Shenzong is known by several names and titles across different contexts. His personal name was Zhao Xu, and he is also referred to as Zhao Zhongzhen in some contexts. The title "Shen Zong" is his temple name, used to refer to him in the imperial temple. In Chinese characters, his name is written as 赵顼. His most elaborate designation is his posthumous title: 紹天法古運德建功英文烈武欽仁聖孝皇帝. This lengthy title serves as a formal summary of his perceived virtues and achievements. The English designation "Emperor Shenzong of Song" is the standard Wikipedia title for his entry.

### Digital and Bibliographic Identifiers
A vast array of identifiers links Emperor Shenzong to various knowledge bases and library systems. His Wikidata ID is Q116, Q1097498, and Q2478141, representing his occupation and instance of being a human. He is associated with the Freebase ID /m/02926b. Library of Congress identifiers include P244 (nr97014713) and P214 (9750443). The VIAF identifier is P213 (0000000064241365). Other catalog numbers include P1006 (151634157), P1185 (845416), and P1315 (1432451). He is listed in the National Library of Australia with P497 (0009006) and the National Library of Sweden with P691 (jn20000701764). Additional identifiers include P1417 (biography/Shenzong), P1711 (132248), P1785 (神宗), P1786 (the full posthumous title), P2163 (391072), P2600 (6000000012653141335), P3368 (2418851), P5909 (9811105893003406), P6821 (alvin-person:60949), P9613 (326184), P10565 (50148), P10832 (E39PBJw94VQyvwVFYjvjPC4g8C), P11835 (25), P13030 (person/13488), P13591 (person/e842080f-769f-49ae-9c78-4188d1f4f791), and P14178 (jn20000701764). The image associated with him is labeled P18: Shenzong.jpg.

### Historical Context and Affiliations
Emperor Shenzong's life and work are inextricably linked to the Song dynasty. This dynasty, which began in 960 AD, was a former imperial dynasty of China. As the sixth emperor of the Northern Song period, he was the central figure of the monarchy during his time. His role as an aristocrat placed him at the top of the social hierarchy, with hereditary rights and titles. The sitelink count of 36 indicates a significant presence across various language editions of Wikipedia, reflecting his historical importance. The sitelink counts for related entities such as "human" (273), "monarch" (96), "ruler" (18), "aristocrat" (23), and "Song dynasty" (93) further contextualize his classification within the broader knowledge graph.

### Legacy and Recognition
The legacy of Emperor Shenzong is preserved through his extensive posthumous title and his inclusion in major historical databases. The specific designation of "Emperor Shenzong of Song" ensures his distinct identity within the lineage of Chinese emperors. His reign is a documented period in the history of the Northern Song Dynasty, contributing to the understanding of Chinese imperial governance. The detailed list of identifiers and aliases ensures that he can be accurately retrieved and referenced in academic and digital contexts. The absence of specific details on education or specific publications in the source material limits the scope of his known contributions to his role as a ruler and the administrative functions of his reign.

## References

1. China Biographical Database
2. Emperor Huizong
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Virtual International Authority File