Female rulers of the ancient and classical world: queens, pharaohs and empresses who ruled in their own name or who wielded power and influence as queen consorts. Find biographies, some bibliographies and pictures, and links to net resources for these women heads of state. Articles and links from Jone Johnson Lewis, About Women's History Guide.
Though most rulers in the ancient (and classical) world were men, some women ruled power and influence. Some ruled in their own name, some wielded power and influence as royal consorts. Here are some of the most powerful women in the ancient world.
The rulers of ancient Egypt, Pharaohs, were almost all men. The evidence for a few women Pharaohs is sketchy at best. Here is a list of the women most commonly thought to have served as Pharaoh, or to have assumed the power of the Pharaoh as a regent.
Augusta was the title given to a number of women in the Roman empire.
In the 5th century B.C.E., this queen of Halicarnassus helped Xerxes against the Greeks, then helped talk Xerxes out of pursuing his conquest of Greece.
Queen of the Brigantes, she signed a peace treaty with the invading Romans, and ruled as a client of Rome. Then she dumped her husband, and even Rome couldn't keep her in power -- and they ultimately took direct control, so her ex didn't win, either.
Description of the legend of the discovery of silk in ancient China by the Empress Lei-tzu.
A profile of Cleopatra Thea, less well known than her later namesake, a queen of Syria who exercised power after her husband died and before her son succeeded to power. A number of queens in antiquity bore the name Cleopatra.
The story of Elen Luyddog, legendary Welsh princess.
On this Women's History site, a guide to a female ruler of ancient Egypt who reigned nearly 3500 years ago.
The third ruler of the first Egyptian dynasty which united upper and lower Egypt is known only by name and a few objects -- but many scholars believe that this ruler was a woman. We don't know much about her life or her reign.
Olympias, infamous mother of Alexander the Great, ruled as regent for her grandson while trying to defeat a rival claimant to rule Macedonia.
Information on Semiramis - Sammu-Ramat - semi-legendary Assyrian queen.
A biography of the warrior queen of Palymra who led her people in a war against Rome. Contributed by Sue M. Sefscik.
Tracy Marks presents her story of the Queen of Sheba, including an extensive set of links and a bibliography.
A list, illustrated with short descriptions, of royal women who have been heads of state in the covered time period. Includes those who have ruled in their own right and those who have ruled as regents for others.
A list, illustrated with short descriptions, of royal women who have been heads of state in the covered time period. Includes those who have ruled in their own right and those who have ruled as regents for others.
A list, illustrated with short descriptions, of royal women who have been heads of state in the covered time period. Includes those who have ruled in their own right and those who have ruled as regents for others.
