Gaozu, Wade-Giles romanization Kao-tsu, personal name (xingming) Li Yuan (born 566, Chang’an [now Xi’an, Shaanxi province], China—died 635, Chang’an), temple name (miaohao) of the founder and first emperor (618–626) of the Tang dynasty (618–907).
Although Gaozu claimed to be of Chinese descent, his family was intermarried with nomadic tribes of North China. As an official of the Sui dynasty (581–618), Li Yuan was expected to suppress peasant revolts and prevent incursions of Turkish nomads into North China. With the Sui dynasty about to disintegrate, Li Yuan—urged on by Li Shimin (later the emperor Taizong), his ambitious second son—rose in rebellion in 617. Aided by Turkish allies, Li Yuan captured the capital at Chang’an. The next year, he proclaimed the Tang dynasty. Thereafter, he worked to reform taxation and coinage, while Li Shimin finished eliminating rival claimants to the throne. In 626 Li Yuan abdicated to Li Shimin, who had meanwhile destroyed his rival brothers.