Tombe de tang gaozu biography

Emperor Gaozu of Tang (566-635) was the founder and first emperor of this great dynasty. He was born Li Yuan, and given the courtesy name of Shude. He took the name Gaozu, meaning High Founder or Progenitor, upon establishing the Tang Dynasty in 618.

Early Life

Li Yuan (Gaozu) was born to father Li Bing, Duke Ren of Tang, and mother Duchess Dugu.

Li Yuan inherited the title Duke of Tang when his father died in 572. When Northern Wei fell to the Sui dynasty in 582, Li Yuan retained this title, as he was nephew to the founding emperor’s wife.

Tombe de tang gaozu biography

In the early years of the Sui dynasty Li Yuan was a governor under first Emperor Wen, and later Emperor Yang (Li Yuan’s first cousin). During a period of upheaval in 613 Li Tuan became a military general in charge of operations in the region west of Tong Pass.

He declined to return when Emperor Yang recalled him that same year. During this time Li Yuan gained much military experience and support.

In 615 Li Yuan was in charge