Since time immemorial, the world inhabitant has always gotten people that are crowned or appointed as leaders.

When a community, section of a nation, or a country has a leader, the leader is saddled with the responsibility of making vital decision that brings progress to their people. The rulers appointed also enforce laws and sometimes deliver judgment and resolve disputes when there are societal issues. That said, most of the people that have ruled the ancient world are men. At that time, most people believed that men are destined to rule while women are to act as their assistance. As days go by, the world began to have women at the helm of affairs in their nation and community.

Summary of Top Female Rulers of the Ancient World

The table below highlights the points to note about the top female rulers.

Top Ancient World Female Rulers in Detail

These women contributed their quota to the development of their people and nation. However, the population of female rulers was very few compared to that of men. The impact of women at the helms of affairs necessitates the need to discuss the top female rulers in the ancient world. Today, I will be telling you the top female rulers of the ancient world.

1. Cleopatra

As the oldest daughter of the famous Pharaoh Ptolemy XII of Egypt in 69 or 70 BC, Cleopatra is one of the top female rulers that existed in the ancient world. Her mother was Ptolemy XII's stepsister. Her name was Cleopatra V Tryphaena. The native language of Cleopatra was Koine Greek. Hence, she became the first Ptolemaic ruler that was familiar with the prestigious Egyptian language. In Cleopatra's early life, she learned and was able to speak up to 12 different languages. Cleopatra got married to two of her siblings. She also had a romance with the Roman empire's ruler called Julius Caesar. Cleopatra later battled and murdered her siblings to become a ruler in Egypt. During her lifetime, Cleopatra was a prolific author. She wrote a pharmacological and medicinal book titled Cosmetics. Cleopatra eventually died with the cause of her death not known to people. However, people opined that she died of poison.

2. Sobekneferu

Sobekneferu, all called Sebeknefru, is a queen that ruled as king of ancient Egypt. Sobekneferu was referred to as the last ruler of the Egyptian's 12th dynasty. After her father's long reign, Amenemhet III ended, Sobekneferu's half brother was crowned as the Pharaoh of Egypt. The half brother of Sobekneferu eventually died on the throne. Hence, there was a need to crown another male heir to the throne. At this time, there was no male heir in line to the throne. Therefore, Sobekneferu was the closest to succeeding his half brother. Eventually, she was crowned as a full Pharaoh and ruled as king over the Egyptians. During her reign, Sobekneferu maintained her status as a female but was always dressed in royal regalia. Sobekneferu was given masculine titles to appease people that disagree with Egyptian kingmakers appointing a female asking.

3. Neferneferuaten Nefertiti

Neferneferuaten Nefertiti, also called Nefertiti, is the queen of Egypt in the 14th-century BCE. She was also a wife to King Akhenaton, also known as Amenhotep IV. The highly influential queen was born in the city of Thebes in 1370 BCE. She got married at the age of 15 years and gave birth to six daughters within ten years. Hence, she was referred to as a fertility goddess. Neferneferuaten Nefertiti cooperated with her husband to build a beautiful new capital called Amarna. Her husband also enjoyed her full cooperation in worshipping the sun, called god Aton. After her husband's death, it was on record that Neferneferuaten Nefertiti reigned as a co-regent with a Neferneferuaten affixed to her name. Some historians even considered her as the Pharaoh that ruled after the death of Akenaten and renamed herself Smenkhkare. It was also recorded that Neferneferuaten Nefertiti ruled Egypt in the pattern of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, who dressed with a ceremonial false beard. However, the circumstances surrounding her death remain a history of Egypt's existing inhabitants that witnessed her reign as the Pharaoh of Egypt.

4. Theodora

Born in the year 500, Theodora reigned as a queen alongside Justinian, her husband in the Roman empire from 527 to 548. Theodora showcased her leadership quality in her speech in the Nika riots. During these riots, Theodora resolved the political differences and misunderstandings between the Greens and the Blues. The Nika riots who had gone on the rampage and destroyed public properties were convinced to bury their hatchets and embraced peace. Through her powerful and convincing speech, they ended the violence and lived in peace with one another. Theodora also ordered the rebuilding of the city of Constantinople that was earlier destroyed by rioters. The prestigious queen of the Roman empire made a strong campaign for women's rights. Her campaign led to the utmost recognition of women in the Roman Empire. Theodora and her husband had different religious beliefs. While Theodora promoted the Miaphysite monastery, Justinian endorsed Chalcedonian Christianity. The influential queen eventually died of a tumor or ulcer in 548 in the city of Constantinople. After her death, her husband remained loyal to her belief. He integrated the Chalcedonian and the Monophysites subjects to his kingdom throughout his entire reign.

5. Hatshepsut

Born to King Thutmose I, the Pharaoh of Egypt, Hatshepsut was a powerful queen in Egypt. To become a queen, Hatshepsut married Thutmose II, her half-brother, at the age of 12. She had Thutmose III as a stepson. Thutmose III was the heir apparent to the throne. After the death of Thutmose II, she co-ruled with Thutmose III and transformed the Egyptian kingdom. Hatshepsut reigned in Egypt for 20 years. During her reign in Egypt, she rebuilt the major trade routes that were destroyed and opened them for business. After rebuilding the trade routes, Egyptians started trading and exchanging gold, resins, ivory, and other valuable materials with business partners from other lands and climes. Hatshepsut also initiated and completed the construction of fantastic infrastructural projects in ancient Egypt. During the reign of Hatshepsut, Egyptians erected many monuments, artifacts, monoliths, and holy shrines. Hatshepsut died in her mid-40s and was laid to rest in Egypt.

6. Empress Wu Zetian

Empress Wu Zetian, also known as Wu Mei Niang, Empress Consort Wu, Wu Zhao, Mei-Niang, and Wu Hou, was Born in China on 17 February 624 AD in Wenshui, China. The influential and powerful leader was referred to as the first queen of China. Empress Wu Zetian was conferred with several prestigious honorary titles like Empress Consort, Lady, Empress Regnant, Empress Dowager, and many more. During her reign as queen in China, Empress Wu Zetian was the pioneer of the vast majority of Chinese educational and religious reforms. The powerful queen introduced an examination system for people that desire to have government titles. She also gave sermons on Buddhism to the Chinese populace. Empress Wu Zetian advocated for the spread and adoption of Buddhist ideologies among the Chinese populace. The great ruler died on 16 December 705 AD and was buried in Qianling Mausoleum in China.

7. Olga of Kiev

Olga of Kiev is a powerful female ruler that was born in the city of Pskov in Russia. During her reign, Olga of Kiev was considered the most courageous and fierce female ruler in Russia. In 902 or 903, Olga of Kiev got married to Olga of Kiev. Assailants assassinated her husband in Iskoroken in Ukraine. After his assassination, Olga of Kiev took over the throne. She guided and led her son, a minor, and heir to the throne. Olga of Kiev is among the first female leaders in Russia that accepted and endorsed Christianity as the primary religion. The fierce ruler inaugurated and built many religious monuments and places of worship in Russia. Olga of Kiev was also considered an evangelist with a passion for preaching and convincing Russians to accept Christianity as their faith. Olga of Kiev pursued vengeance from the Ukrainian Drevlians community that killed her husband. Olga of Kiev died on 11 July 969 AD in Kyiv in Ukraine.

Conclusion

Female rulers have contributed their quota to their people's economic, religious, educational, and civic development. Today, I have discussed the top female rulers of the ancient world. Please read through and get informed about these great, powerful, influential, and fierce rulers.