Empress Dowager Ling of the Northern Wei ruled from 515 to 528, despite her regency being interrupted by a coup from 520 to 525. Historical records suggest she governed independently, using the royal pronoun, "zhen," typically reserved for emperors. Her rule set a precedent for future female rulers in East Asia, though it ultimately ended with her assassination. The article draws from literary sources, including her biography in the Northern Wei chronicle, and highlights her unique role amidst the multiethnic backdrop of the empire's capital, Luoyang.
Empress Dowager Ling, who ruled the Northern Wei from 515 to 528, was a significant figure in history, named for her unique position as a female ruler. Her reign, though short-lived and complicated by a coup d'etat, laid the groundwork for future women in power.
Despite the anticipated temporary nature of her regency, historical records show that Empress Dowager Ling governed in her own right, adopting the imperial pronoun 'zhen' and asserting her authority as a ruler.
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