# Emperor Xuanzong of Tang

> 7th emperor of the Tang dynasty, reigning from 713 to 756 CE

**Wikidata**: [Q9746](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9746)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Xuanzong_of_Tang)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/emperor-xuanzong-of-tang

## Summary
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (685–762 CE) was the seventh emperor of the Tang dynasty, ruling China from 713 to 756 CE. A pivotal figure in Chinese history, he is best known for overseeing the dynasty's golden age, marked by cultural flourishing, military expansion, and the establishment of institutions like the Pear Garden, China's first royal acting and musical academy. His reign, however, also ended in turmoil with the An Lushan Rebellion, which significantly weakened the Tang dynasty.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 8, 685 CE (alternative date: 682 CE)
- **Died**: May 3, 762 CE (alternative date: 767 CE)
- **Nationality**: Tang dynasty (China)
- **Known for**: Reigning as the seventh emperor of the Tang dynasty (713–756 CE), overseeing its cultural zenith, and founding the Pear Garden and Hanlin Academy.
- **Field(s)**: Governance, military administration, poetry, and cultural patronage.

## Contributions
- **Pear Garden (800 CE)**: Founded China’s first royal acting and musical academy, institutionalizing imperial performances and training musicians and actors.
- **Hanlin Academy (800 CE)**: Established a prestigious scholarly institution that advised the emperor and preserved literary and historical works.
- **Military Reforms**: Created the **Youzhou Jiedushi** in 713 CE, a key military district in Hebei, which later became part of the Three Fanzhen system, shaping Tang defense policies.
- **Cultural Patronage**: Actively supported poetry and the arts, contributing to the Tang dynasty’s reputation as a golden age of Chinese literature.
- **Political Legacy**: His early reign (Kaiyuan era, 713–741 CE) was marked by prosperity and effective governance, while his later years (Tianbao era, 742–756 CE) saw decline due to the An Lushan Rebellion.

## FAQs
**Q: When did Emperor Xuanzong of Tang rule?**
A: He reigned from 713 to 756 CE, a 43-year period that included both the peak and decline of the Tang dynasty.

**Q: What institutions did Emperor Xuanzong establish?**
A: He founded the **Pear Garden** (a royal music and acting academy) and the **Hanlin Academy** (a scholarly institution), both in 800 CE.

**Q: Why is Emperor Xuanzong’s reign significant?**
A: His early rule (Kaiyuan era) was a golden age of stability and cultural achievement, while his later years (Tianbao era) were marred by the devastating An Lushan Rebellion, which weakened the Tang dynasty.

**Q: What were Emperor Xuanzong’s aliases?**
A: He was also known as **Tangminghuang**, **Emperor Ming Hwang**, **Emperor Kaiyuan**, and **Emperor Xiantian**, among others.

**Q: How did Emperor Xuanzong contribute to Chinese culture?**
A: As a poet and patron of the arts, he fostered Tang dynasty literature and music, leaving a lasting legacy in Chinese cultural history.

## Why They Matter
Emperor Xuanzong’s reign symbolizes the zenith of Tang dynasty power and culture. His early policies strengthened governance, expanded military control (e.g., Youzhou Jiedushi), and nurtured artistic innovation. However, his later mismanagement—particularly his favoritism toward An Lushan—triggered a rebellion that fractured the dynasty. His cultural institutions (Pear Garden, Hanlin Academy) endured, shaping imperial traditions for centuries. Without his patronage, Tang poetry and music might not have reached their legendary status.

## Notable For
- **Longest-reigning Tang emperor** (43 years, 713–756 CE).
- **Founder of the Pear Garden**, China’s first royal music academy.
- **Establisher of the Hanlin Academy**, a key scholarly institution.
- **Military architect** of the Youzhou Jiedushi district (713 CE).
- **Patron of poetry and the arts**, contributing to Tang cultural legacy.
- **Central figure in the An Lushan Rebellion**, a turning point in Tang decline.

## Body
### Early Life and Ascension
Emperor Xuanzong was born **Li Longji** on **September 8, 685 CE** (some sources cite 682 CE). He ascended the throne in **713 CE** after a period of political turmoil, becoming the seventh emperor of the Tang dynasty. His early reign, known as the **Kaiyuan era (713–741 CE)**, was marked by administrative reforms, economic prosperity, and military expansion.

### Governance and Military Reforms
Xuanzong centralized power and strengthened the empire’s defenses. In **713 CE**, he established the **Youzhou Jiedushi**, a critical military district in Hebei, which later became part of the **Three Fanzhen of Hebei**—a system that shaped Tang military governance. His policies initially secured the dynasty’s borders and internal stability.

### Cultural and Scholarly Legacy
A passionate patron of the arts, Xuanzong founded two enduring institutions:
- **Pear Garden (800 CE)**: A royal academy for music and theater, training performers for imperial court.
- **Hanlin Academy (800 CE)**: A scholarly body that advised the emperor and preserved literary works.

His support for poetry and music cemented the Tang dynasty’s reputation as a cultural golden age.

### Later Reign and Decline
The **Tianbao era (742–756 CE)** saw Xuanzong’s rule deteriorate due to corruption and favoritism. His relationship with **Consort Yang** and trust in the rebellious general **An Lushan** led to the **An Lushan Rebellion (755–763 CE)**, which devastated the Tang dynasty. Xuanzong abdicated in **756 CE** and died on **May 3, 762 CE** (some sources say 767 CE).

### Legacy and Influence
Despite his later failures, Xuanzong’s early achievements left an indelible mark. His institutions (Pear Garden, Hanlin Academy) persisted long after his death, influencing imperial culture and governance. His reign remains a study in both the heights of Tang prosperity and the fragility of power.

## References

1. China Biographical Database
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. Japan Search
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. CERL Thesaurus