Emperor Gaozong of Song
The emperor who lost half his kingdom but saved a dynasty, presiding over a brilliant cultural renaissance from a southern capital.
1107–1187 (age 80)·Emperor of China from 1127 to 1162·Birthday: June 12
Biography
Zhao Gou's ascent was born of catastrophe. As the Jurchen Jin armies sacked the Song capital and captured his father and brother, the young prince was a distant, fortunate survivor. Thrust onto the throne as Emperor Gaozong, he presided over a desperate retreat south of the Yangtze River, establishing a new capital in Lin'an (modern Hangzhou). His reign is a study in paradox: he stabilized the Southern Song dynasty, fostering an era of unprecedented economic prosperity and artistic flourishing, yet he is often criticized for opting for a negotiated peace with the Jin over decisive reconquest. Under his rule, the Southern Song became a powerhouse of commerce, innovation, and refined culture, with Hangzhou growing into one of the world's greatest cities. Gaozong eventually abdicated in favor of a adopted heir, but continued to wield influence from behind the scenes for over two decades, his long retirement a testament to his political cunning in securing a dynasty that would endure for another century.
#1 When Emperor Was Born
The biggest hits of 1107
Emperor's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1107Born
1112Started school
1120Became a teenager
1123Could drive
1125Could vote
1128Turned 21
1137Turned 30
1147Turned 40
1157Turned 50
1167Turned 60
1177Turned 70
1187Turned 80
Key Achievements
- Re-established the Song dynasty in southern China after the fall of the northern capital, founding the Southern Song period which lasted 152 years.
- Presided over the economic and cultural zenith of the Southern Song, with the capital Lin'an becoming a global center of commerce and the arts.
- Oversaw significant advancements in maritime trade and technology, including the strengthening of the Chinese navy.
- Commissioned and supported major historical and artistic projects, including a revised edition of the Confucian classics.
Did You Know?
He was an accomplished calligrapher, and his distinctive style was widely imitated during his reign.
His chosen heir, Emperor Xiaozong, was not his biological son but a distant relative from the Song imperial clan, selected to ensure succession.
The Yue Fei Temple in Hangzhou, dedicated to a general who advocated fighting the Jin, stands as a complex counterpoint to Gaozong's legacy of peace.
He ruled as emperor for 35 years and then as retired emperor for 25 years, a remarkably long period of political influence.
“We must secure the south and rebuild, for the ancestral altars demand it.”
