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Zhou Dynasty (周 690-705) was the only Chinese dynasty founded by a woman, Empress Wu Zetian (who was also the only empress throughout the history of China). She seized the throne from her puppet emperors of Tang Dynasty, took the name "Zhou" just because Tang's tradition did not allow female ruler, and was forced to return the throne to a Tang royalty while she became very old.

Although it was short-lived, some historians consider the establishment of the dynasty was the result of better equality between the sexes during Tang Dynasty.