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Ancient Women Rulers

Queens, Empresses, Pharaohs, Other Women Rulers of the Ancient & Classical World

By Jone Johnson Lewis, About.com

Though most rulers in the ancient (and classical) world were men, some women wielded power and influence. Some ruled in their own name, some influenced their world as royal consorts. Here are some of the most powerful women in the ancient world.

Olympias

Olympias was the wife of Philip II of Macedonia, and the mother of Alexander the Great. She had a reputation both as sacred (a snake handler in a mystery cult) and violent. After Alexander's death, she seized power as regent for Alexander's posthumous son, and had many of her enemies killed. But she didn't rule long.
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Semiramis - Sammu-Ramat

Legendary warrior queen of Assyria, Semiramis is credited with building a new Babylon as well as conquest of neighboring states.
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Zenobia

Image of Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra.From a third century coin.
Zenobia, who claimed Cleopatra as ancestor, defied the Romans, and rode into battle against them, but was eventually defeated and taken prisoner.
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