History Of The Day - Li Yuan Becomes Emperor Gaozu of Tang (618 CE)

[TFD]

Emperor Gaozu was the founder of the greatest of China's imperial dynasties, the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE), which ruled over what was then the world's largest empire and initiated a golden age for art, science, and Buddhism. Before becoming emperor, Li Yuan, as he was then known, was governor of a province under the Sui Dynasty. When the Sui emperor, Yangdi, was assassinated in 618, Li Yuan reunited the empire and took power. Why did he later abdicate the throne in favor of his son, Li Shimin? Discuss



Source: The Free Dictionary Encyclopedia.