Pharaoh Hatshepsut (reigned 1507 -1458 BCE)
Hatshepsut is one of the rare female Egyptian Pharaohs. Her reign began in the traditional manner, as wife to Pharaoh Thutmose II. When he died, she served as regent for her underage stepson, Thutmose Ill, but declaredherselfPharaoh.was not a power grab but a necessary move to prevent a threat from other royals seeking to steal the throne. Despite the Pharaonic beard she wore, she asserted herself as a woman, signing documents “His Majesty, Herself,” or “Daughter of Re.” She notably established alliances with other nations throughrather than warfare. She left behind a legacy of public works projects that helped her people. Though later Egyptian leaders tried to erase her memory, they failed. Hatshepsut’s tomb and temples leave a record and artifacts of her reign.

Queen Nefertiti (reigned 1353 – 1336 ВСЕ)
Queen Nefertiti was primary consort. The two reigned over one of Egypt’s. She wasn’t born royal, but historians believe that instead of marrying exclusively for political or economic purposes, Images depict the couple playing with and kissing their children, a rare demonstration of affection. He further showed his love for her in how he depicted her in religious inscriptions. In these inscriptions she had a prestigious role in religious ceremonies alongside her husband, depicted on tomb walls and other monuments.
When Akhenaten commissioned a colossal statue of himself, he ordered one of equal size for Nefertiti. This was a bold demonstration;
Akhenaten was declaring her the “Great Wife,” second only to himself.

Sammu-Ramat, or Semiramis (reigned 811 – 806 BCE)
Women rulers were rare in the Assyrian Empire.
Women were prohibited from leadership positions, until. She is notorious for her “but this may have been the embellishment of Greek historians launching a smear campaign against the Assyrians. Sammu-Ramat’s actual story is more inspiring. When Shamshi-Adad V died in 811 BCE, his wife Sammu-Ramat, known for her influence and power, ruled until her son came of age.
Although details of her reign are difficult to find, historians believe she may have led military campaigns, expanded Assyrian territory, and authorized building projects around the Empire.to have an obelisk dedicated to her in Ashur.

Kandake Shanakdakhete of Meroe
Shanakdakhete is the first of theKandake (‘Queen’) to rather than serving as consort or queen mother. She increased the territory under her rule and strengthened the economy. Meroe, located in present day Sudan, shared culture and religious beliefs with ancient Egypt.
Shanakdakhete performed high level religious functions. To illustrate her status, she referred to herself as “Son of Ra, Lord of the Two Lands, beloved of Ma’at” in her inscriptions.
Archaeologists are piecing together details of her rule from the scant evidence she left behind. One statute shows her wearing an elaborate crown, with a prince standing next to her holding the headpiece. This, which may have been her successor Tanyidamani.

Livia Drusilla (born 59 BCE, died 29 CE)
Rome’s first Empress, wife and of Augustus, Livia had unprecedented power in the Empire. She supported her husband as he, but was careful not to overshadow him. Despite this, she freely offered her opinions about governmental matters.
Her role as Empress came with certain advantages; she got front row at arenas and theaters, she had fiscal independence, and owned prime real estate on the. Behind the scenes, she secured the role of Emperor for one of her sons, Tiberius, over Augustus’s three grandsons.
Despite her elevated status, Livia was plagued by rumors. She was suspected of killing Augustus’s grandsons to make way for her son’s ascent, in 14 CE.

Augusta Agrippina (reigned 50 CE – 59 CE)
She was the ambitious great-granddaughter of Emperor Augustus, daughter of Agrippina the Elder and Germanicus, and Emperor Caligula’s sister. After her first husband died, she married her uncle Emperor Claudius, and maneuvered to have her son Nero named successor. He declared her Augusta (Empress), and served as an advisor. Nero became Emperor when Claudius died in 54 CE. Historians suspect Agrippina had a hand in Claudius’s demise. Nero’s reign gave Augusta Agrippinathan any woman in Roman history. Over time, Nero crawled out from under his mother’s influence and Agrippina’s power faded, and Nero had her removed from court. To prevent her from provoking a civil war, Nero had her killed in 59 CE.

Cleopatra VII Philopater (reigned 51 to 30 BCE)
TheVIl was the last ruler of Egypt before the Roman occupation in 30 BCE. Technically she was co-regent with one younger brother, then another, then her son, but Cleopatra dominated over them with her diplomatic skills, ability to speak many languages, and military leadership, which she used to seize the throne from one of her brothers.
Cleopatra’s reign was a prosperous time for Egypt, and she built Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, funding Roman military campaigns in exchange for the return of Roman-occupied Egyptian territories. At the time of her defeat at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE and her subsequent death, her influence and power over one of the ancient world’s major powers cemented her place in the history books.

Queen Boudica (born c. 30 CE, died 60 CE)
Rome’s empire included most of the western world in its middle to later years. This power extended into what is today eastern England, including the territory of Iceni. Queen Boudica of Iceni’s husband was aand when he died, the Romans annexed his territory, confiscating his property and land. Queen Boudica was a. She led her people in revolt against Roman forces. Two major Roman settlements were destroyed, including Londinium, now known as London. This rebellionand killed around 70,000 Romans and pro-Roman Britons. Roman governor Suetonius thwarted the rebellion, defeating Boudica’s troops, but her legend persists.

Empress Theodora (reigned 527 – 548 CE)
Theodora had a strange rise to power and religious authority. She was an actress, a mistress to wealthy men, and (common for actresses of the time). After converting to an early branch of Christianity, she captured the heart of Justinian, a man on the rise in Eastern Roman politics. When Justinian became Emperor, Theodora, now Empress, focused herin her realm. Shethat protected girls from sex slavery, established houses for former prostitutes, banished brothel keepers from major cities, and established anti-rape laws. For all her efforts on behalf of powerless women, she kept a sharp eye on the upper-class ladies threatening her position; rumors have her involved in the deaths and torture of those who threatened her power.

Empress Suiko (reigned 592 – 628 CE)
Suiko, Japan’s first female Emperor, proved herself a successful diplomat by. She reigned in an era of, centralizing the state and. Suiko set precedent for public administration in Japan by adopting thethe first of its kind in Japan. She confirmed Buddhism as an official religion in Japan, paving the way for the construction of temples and monasteries. In addition to her diplomatic and governmental reforms, she adapted Chinese governmental systems to Japan and cultivated the arts and culture from China and Korea, welcoming religious figures, artists, and scholars into Japan.