论武周时期的酷吏

武周时期曾出现过不少酷吏。关于武周酷吏的定位 ,不仅影响到对武则天的评价 ,而且关系到如何认识武周社会。武则天是个铁腕人物 ,为了打击政敌 ,巩固地位 ,不惜重用酷吏 ,制造冤狱 ,但不能就此认定其生性残忍 ,“阴鸷好杀”。同时 ,酷吏是上层统治者之间矛盾和斗争的产物 ,他们只是制造了统治阶级内部一系列混乱 ,并没有影响到武周社会的安定与繁荣。

On the Merciless Officials in WU Ze-tian''''s Reign

In WU Ze tian's reign, there were quite a number of merciless officials whose evaluation affects that of the former and the understanding of the society then. WU Ze tian was a forceful figure. In order to reinforce her power, she used a lot of merciless officials; but it can not be said that she was born merciless. Meanwhile, the merciless officials were the product of the conflicts in the ruling class and their existence brought only confusion but did not affect the stability and flourishing of society of her times.