Women were given greater respect in Egypt than in most other civilizations of the ancient world. There were female doctors, scribes, business owners, and even rulers. Although kings in ancient Egypt were understood as a reflection of the natural order – since the first monarch, Osiris, was male – there were several queens who made their mark on history.
Collection
Articles & Definitions
Article
Great Female Rulers of Ancient Egypt
Women in ancient Egypt had more rights than in any other ancient culture...
Definition
Nitocris
Nitocris (2184-2181 BCE) is the Greek name for Nitiqret, the last monarch...
Definition
God's Wife of Amun
The position of God's Wife of Amun was one of the most politically powerful...
Definition
Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut (r. 1479-1458 BCE) was the first female ruler of ancient...
Definition
Tiye
Tiye (also known as Tiy, 1398-1338 BCE) was a queen of Egypt of the...
Definition
Nefertiti
Nefertiti (c. 1370 - c. 1336 BCE) was the wife of the pharaoh Akhenaten...
Definition
Ankhsenamun
Ankhsenamun (born c. 1350 BCE and known as Ankhesenpaaten in youth...
Definition
Cleopatra
Cleopatra VII (l. c. 69-30 BCE, r. 51-30 BCE) was the last ruler of...
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External Links
5 ancient Egyptian queens who shape history - EgyptToday
egypttoday.com
The Queens of Egypt
ancient-egypt-online.com
Kings and Queens of Egypt | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
metmuseum.org
The Queens of Egypt: Ancient Egyptian Queens in Order | History Cooperative
historycooperative.org
Egyptian Queens - 13 Most Famous - Have Fun With History
havefunwithhistory.com
Questions & Answers
Who was the first queen of ancient Egypt?
- The first recorded queen of ancient Egypt was Neithhotep during the First Dynasty (c. 3150 - c. 2890 BCE) of the Early Dynastic Period.
Was Nitocris an actual historical queen?
- Nitocris was regarded as a fictional character in the past but is now increasingly understood as the historical last monarch of the Old Kingdom, reigning 2184-2181 BCE.
Did Nefertiti rule Egypt on her own?
- Some scholars have claimed Nefertiti ruled Egypt on her own but, even if she didn't, it is clear she took on the responsibilities of monarch after her husband, Akhenaten, became distracted by his new religion.
Was Cleopatra VII Egyptian?
- No. Cleopatra VII was Macedonian-Greek, the last monarch of the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt.
About the Author
Joshua J. Mark is World History Encyclopedia's co-founder and Content Director. He was previously a professor at Marist College (NY) where he taught history, philosophy, literature, and writing. He has traveled extensively and lived in Greece and Germany.
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