Throughout the course of ancient history, many powerful and noteworthy queens made a lasting impression on the world. From the legendary Cleopatra of Egypt to the unforgettable Wu Zetian of China, powerful queens in cultures both old and new have broken regal boundaries to become known for their strength and leadership skills. In this article, let’s break down some of the most famous and powerful queens in ancient history, and marvel at the feats they accomplished.
The Powerful Cleopatra of Egypt
No argument can be made that one of the most famous ancient queens was Cleopatra of Egypt. Before we dive into her remarkable story, let’s first delve into her background and family.
Let’s start with the basics: Cleopatra was the last active pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt, which was a Hellenistic kingdom. She was a direct descendant of Alexander the Great through Ptolemy I Soter and had Greek, Macedonian, and Egyptian ancestry. Her mother was ruler of the Ptolemaic kingdom, and Cleopatra was lucky enough to be bestowed her mother’s legacy when her mother passed away when Cleopatra was only 18.
In terms of her legacy, we know that that Cleopatra was a major innovator in terms of advancing women’s equality in the ancient world. She was the first female ruler to declare herself as a Pharaoh, and she made many impressive strides in terms of her military successes, diplomatic achievements, and her powerful stance in the world. Her relationship with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony has become the stuff of legends, and she ultimately lost her life in a suicide that sparked an eternal sorrow and admiration.
The Pioneering Empress Wu Zetian of China
Another remarkable queen throughout the course of ancient history was Wu Zetian, the only female to ever reign as the Empress of China. Like Cleopatra, Wu Zetian left her indelible mark on both the kingdom of China and the world at large.
Let’s first discuss the history behind Wu Zetian’s rise to power. She was born in 624, and her family was of fairly humble means. Even though Wu Zetian was from a relatively low-ranking family, she was fortunate enough to receive an education and eventually receive the attention of the former Emperor to become his concubine and close advisor.
Naturally, many within the kingdom were skeptical of this “outsider” who suddenly rose to prominence, even before her coronation as Empress. Although Wu Zetian faced cruel discrimination due to gender during this ascension, she managed to quell all of these hostile forces in the way only a powerful leader can.
In terms of her remarkable achievements, Wu Zetian was a trailblazer in terms of her views on governmental policy. During her reign, Wu Zetian was open to advocating and promoting women’s rights as well as segregation of powers and checks and balances rather than censorship-laden rule.
The Fierce Queen Zenobia of Syria
Another remarkable warrior queen of the ancient world was Queen Zenobia of Syria, a woman who is credited as being the first queen in recorded history to lead a fully-fledged military revolt against a Roman emperor.
Queen Zenobia was the queen of the Palmyrene Empire located in modern day Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. As a fierce and fearless warrior, Queen Zenobia led her nation to issue a completely successful military revolt against the Roman Empire. She was especially successful in terms of her wars with the Roman Empire, capturing Damascus as well as multiple other major cities.
Her impression on the world was immense, as Queen Zenobia was a major patriot for her nation and a true believer in Syrian unity. Even though her revolt ultimately failed due to the powerful military might of the Roman Empire, her legacy lives on as a testament to a selfless queen who was willing to put it all on the line to ensure a better life for her people.
The Legendary Goujon of India
Our next amazing queen is the legendary Goujon, who ruled the Mauryan Empire of India many centuries ago.
In terms of her background, Goujon was born to a very powerful family, and attained an unusual degree of political influence due to her father’s high-ranking position in the Mauryan Empire. It’s interesting to note that Goujon was not the typical “virgin-and-mother” depiction of queens often seen throughout the ancient world; from a young age she was known for her strong-mindedness, valiance in battle, and desire for power alike.
Goujon eventually rose to prominence as a leader of her kingdom, and she eventually declared war against the Seleucids, a powerful Greek kingdom in the region. With her impressive military leadership, she was able to drive the Seleucids out of her country and restore peace to her beloved Mauryan Empire. She also implemented many groundbreaking military innovations, such as the introduction of elephants as war machines and the creation of an extensive navy.
Queen Nzinga of Angola
Last but certainly not least, we can’t forget the remarkable Queen Nzinga of Angola, a woman who dedicated her life to protecting the Ndongo and Matamba populations of Angola, which were threatened by Portuguese invaders.
Queen Nzinga was born into royalty, and her presence was felt throughout her kingdom before her ascension to the throne. She was known for her clever diplomat tactics, as she was able to hold off the Portuguese from taking complete control of her region with her own military forces with little to no help from the outside.
Even though the Portuguese were eventually successful in asserting their control over Angola and the region, Queen Nzinga continued to remain as a powerful symbol of resistance in the eyes of her people until her death. Her legacy still lives on in the region, and she is remembered to this day as an example of female agency and power in the midst of an man-driven world.
Throughout history, many powerful and awe-inspiring queens have left an indelible mark on the world. From Cleopatra of Egypt and Wu Zetian of China to Zenobia of Syria and Queen Nzinga of Angola, each of these remarkable women strove to fight for the betterment of their people and ensured that the legacy of their rule would remain in the annals of time. As we honor and remember these amazing queens in ancient history, let us also strive to emulate their courage, strength, and resolve.
