Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
WOMEN IN POWER 
BCE 4500-1500
Leaders and women in other positions of political authority
of independent states and
self-governing understate entities

Ca. 4530-3240 Legendary Queen Eyleuka of Ethiopia
Also known as Dalukaha, and according to legend she was one of the rulers before the Antediluvian (the flooding). She succeeded king Borsa, who had ruled for 67 years, and herself ruled for 45 years.  

Around 2952-after 2939 Pharaoh Meritneith of Egypt
According Manetho, it was during the reign of Neteren that it was decided that women might occupy the throne. However evidence has convinced some historians to believe that Meritneith (or Meryet-Nit) was the successor of Zir and thereby the third ruler of the 1st Dynasty. She has her own tomb in the kings' cemetery of Abydos, suggesting she may have ruled for some years, possibly as regent for her son, Den.

Around 2720 Regent Dowager Queen Ni-Maat-Hepi of Egypt
She was the first Dowager Queen of Egypt that is known with certainty to have acted as regent for her son, Djoser (Zoser), during the 3rd dynasty. Some consider her to have been reigning Pharaoh in her own right. There are several theories on her origin, but she had the titles of Great Royal Wife, and Mother of the Kings Children. She also carried the titles of Heiress (Wrt' Hts).

Ca. 2585-2145 Legendary Queen Nehasset Nais of Ethiopia
According to legend, she reigned for 30 years sometime after the flooding

2580-ca. 2510 Controller of the Affairs of the Kiltwearers Queen Hetepheres II of Egypt
She ran the civil service and, as well as overseers, governors and judges. She was daughter of Egypt's first pyramid builder, Pharao Khufu and his sister-wife Merityetes II, and first married to the crown prince Kawab who seems to have died at the end of Khufu's reign. It is believed that after Kawab's death Redjedef married Hetepheres II to strengthen his claim to the throne in 2580. It has also been suggested that Hetepheres II was married to Khafre. Hetepheres II probably lived under five kings of the Fourth Dynasty and died when she was well over 70 years old. She was mother of five children (d. ca. 2510)

2570- ca. 2530/10 Politically Influential Queen Meresankh III of Egypt
Daughter of Kawab and Hetepheres II, and married to Khafre as second wife, although continuing to assert her claims by her title "King's Daughter" and "Beholder of the Horus and Seth", even though her father was never pharao. It seems that she was not content to remain in the background. Both she and her mother became prominent at court, on sculptures and inscriptions. Her eldest son eventually became superior lector priest and vizier. She was probably around 55 when she died.

2530-10 Politically Influential Queen Khamerernebti II of Egypt
Married to Pharaoh Menkau-Ra, and mother of Pharaoh Shepses-Kaf and Queen Khent-Kaues I. Her statue shows that she was no mere wife. Her position and gestures should be interpreted as signaling her legitimization of Menkaure as Pharaoh. She is shown in the act of presenting him, indicating to the world that he is the man whom she is identifying and establishing as Pharaoh. Her pose, in fact, deliberately imitates that of the goddess Hathor in the triad statues and with whom she is clearly intended to be identified. The statue itself is a representation of this act of confirmation, and perhaps even a record of part of an actual confirmation ceremony.

Around 2500 Possible Queen Khent-Kaues I of Egypt
Daughter of Menkau-Ra during the 4th dynasty, and married her brother Shepses-Kaf who succeeded his father to the throne. After his death, Khent-Kaues possibly became ruling queen. Her tomb at Giza is unlike any other – in part a mastaba, in part a two-step pyramid. This tomb has many features usually associated with kings, and leads to speculation that Khent-kaues may have ruled independently as king. The inscription on the tomb reads: "Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt. The mother Queen and the daughter of the god". She married one of the Ra priests, who never became king, and the throne was passed to her three sons who formed the 5th dynasty. Khent-Kaues claimed that she has conceived her sons from the god Ra himself. Her daughter, Chamaat, was High Priestess of Ptah in Memphis.

Around 2500 Queen Ku-baba Azag-bau of Kis (Iraq)
According to the King's List, she was the founder of the Third Dynasty, and appears to have reigned for hundred years, as she is the only ruler listed in this period. According to the earliest Sumerian records, she was originally a tavern keeper, she became the leader of the Mesopotamian City State's war for independence from Uruk. She was later deified, and worshipped in Northern Iraq as the goddess Kubaba. 

Around 2500 Co-Ruler Pu-Abi of Ŭr (Iraq)
The Sumerian Dynasty of Ur was located on the Euphrate River. There are several surviving indications of her importance. Her name is only one of two with the title "nim" (Queen) inscribed on a cylinder seal of lapis lzuli in the Royal Cemetery of Ur. She was the wife of an unknown king, and is buried in a way that indicates more than kingship - and she might have been considered a god, or at least that she represented a god on earth. Also known as Puabi or Shubad.

Ca. 2459-2401 Governor of Markellashi in the Elam District (Iraq)
Daughter of King Dungi of Ur (2450-01) in the Mesopotamian Area - today's Iraq.

Ca. 2420 Queen Su-bad of Ŭr (Iraq)
Ur was a Mesopotamian City State, which was one of the first village settlements founded (circa 4000 BCE) by the so-called Ubaidian inhabitants of Sumer. Before 2800 BCE, Ur became one of the most prosperous Sumerian city-states. According to ancient records, Ur had three dynasties of rulers who, at various times, extended their control over all of Sumer.

Around 2400 Political Influential Queen Baranamatara of Lagasz (Iraq)
She was the wife of king Lugalanda. She managed Baba's temple in Lagasz, and very active in diplomacy.

Ca. 2389 High Priestess Lipusha of the Moon Temple at Ur (Iraq)
Granddaughter of King Karam-sin of the Sumerian Dynasty.

Ca. 2334 High Priestess Enheduanna of the Moon Temple at Ŭr (Iraq)
Daughter of King Sargon of the Sumerian Dynasty.

After 2295–2250 Vizier, Judge and Magistrate Nebet of Egypt
Pharaoh Pepi I apparently appointed her to the office - the right hand "man" of the Pharaoh - but it is thought that her husband performed the duties of this role. Other women managed to become stewards and treasurers. According to some sources only two women were ever appointed Vizier.

After 2295–2250 Political Influential Princess Chui of Egypt
It seems that Pharaoh Pepi I gave her the titles of "duke" and "count". Her sister was the Vizier Nebet. 

Around 2295 Regent Dowager Queen Iput of Egypt
She was probably the daughter of King Unas who was the last king of the 5th Dynasty, and historians believe that she is the one that gave him the royal power, legitimizing his rule. She is buried in her own pyramid near Teti's at Saqqara. After around 12 years Teti died, and she became regent for son their, Pharaoh Pepi I.

Ca. 2254-2218 High Priestess Enmenanna of the Moon Temple at Ŭr (Iraq)
Daughter of the Sumerian High Priest Naram-sin.

Around 2250-45 Regent Dowager Queen Ankhesenmeryre I of Egypt
Together with her sister, Ankhesenmeryre II, she was married to Pepi I, and mother of king Merenre (2250-2245). She was the sister of Vizier Djau, and came from a prominent family at Abydos. It is possible that her mother was the woman vizier, Nebet. 

Around 2245-50 Regent Dowager Queen Ankhesenmeryre II of Egypt
Also known as Ankh-Meri-Ra. Like her sister, Ankhesenmeryre I, she was married to Pepi I. When her nephew, King Merenre died, her own son, Pepi II, became king at the age of six or seven, and ruled for at least 90 years, with her in charge of the government for about ten years. Despite her non-royal origins, she is depicted wearing the royal uraeus, the cobra goddess who protected the kings of Egypt. A famous statue shows her holding the young king on her lap. 

Ca. 2180 Queen Nitocris of Egypt
She was daughter of Pepi II in the 6th dynasty, and became Queen, while her husband Meren-Ra II was not the Pharaoh, at least for some time. Manetho described her as "the noblest and loveliest of the women of her time", and to Herodotus is owed the story of here suicide after her vengeance on the Egyptians who murdered her brother to put her in his place. Her name is written as either the second or the third Pharaoh after Pipit II, but she was only mentioned in the Turin Canon, but not in the Abydos Kings' List.

Ca. 2168-54 High Priestess Nannepadda of the Moon Temple at Ŭr (Iraq)
Daughter of King Ensi Ur-Baba of Lagas in the Kingdom of Agade/Akkad.

2107-89 High Priestess Enniragalanna of the Moon Temple at Ŭr (Iraq)
She was the daughter of Ur-nammu, High Priest of Ur.

2094-2047 Politically Influential Queen Shulgi-shimti of Ŭr (Iraq)
During her marriage to King Shulgi of the Ur-III dynasty, she was very influential when it came to the economic affairs of the royal court and country as a whole.

2089-41 High Priestess Ennirzianna of the Moon Temple at Ŭr (Iraq)
Daughter of Silgi.

2065-2016 or 2016-2008 De-facto Co-ruler Queen Neferukayet in Upper Egypt
Married to Pharaoh Inyotef II (2065-2016 ) or Inyotef III (2016-2008) of 11th Dynasty. Both men were titular kings of Lower and Upper Egypt, but they ruled only in Upper Egypt. The plate of clerk Reduchnum from Dendera tell, that she reorganised the system of organisation in Upper Egypt.

2023-1999 The High Priestess of the Moon Temple at Ŭr (Iraq)
Daughter of king Ibbi-sin of Ur.

Ca. 2025-2001 High Priestess and Ruler of Isin (Iraq)
Her name has been lost, but she was daughter of King Isbi-Irra of Larsa, a rival kingdom.

1939/38-1909 God's Wife of Amun Queen Neferu of Egypt
The consort and Queen of Pharaoh Amenemhat I. It is not known if she was of royal blood, but it is probable that Amenemhet married to strengthen his claim to the throne since he was acommoner of partial Nubian descent who usurped the throne after the death of the king that he served as vizier. She must have been an heiress of considerable domain to give him the power and position that he needed. She had a small pyramid that was built for her near the king's tomb.

Ca. 1875-56 Queen Kasiopo of Kush (Sudan)
The kingdom by the south of the Nile was closely related to the Egyptian culture, and later evolved into the kingdom of Meroe.

Ca. 1834-23 High Priestess En-an-e-du of the Moon Temple at Ŭr (Iraq)
Daughter if the Sumerian King Warad-sin of Larsa.

Around 1800 Ruler of Elam (Mesopotamia)
Her name has been lost, but she was sister of Silhalla, a mother of the dynasty.

Around 1800 Politically Active Queen Sabitu of Mari (Egypt)
Also known as Szibitu, she acted as a regent during her husband, king Zimri-lim's numerous wars.

Ca. 1790-1745 Mayor Kirum of Khaya-Sumu's City in Ilansura (Mesopotamia)
One of the many daughters of King Zimri-Lim of Mari, she was married to Khaya-Sumu of Ilansura and her father appointed her Mayor of Khaya-Sumus' city. She not only administered the city, but also dispensed political advice to her father. This displeased her husband, who also married her sister, Shimatum, creating a bitter rivalry, and in the end she returned back to her father.

1763-59 Pharaoh Sebekneferu of Egypt
Also known as Sebek-Nefru or Sebekneferu-Ra, she succeeded her father, Amenemhat III, as the last ruler of the 12th Dynasty. Kingship in ancient Egypt was a male role, and in Egyptian art, ruling Queens were typically represented as male Pharaohs. Sebekneferu was the exception and appears as female in all her statues- though she was portrayed wearing the royal headcloth and kilt over her otherwise female dress. 

1594-after 1550 Politically Influential Queen Tetisheri of Egypt
The commoner wife of Pharaoh Senachtenre (1594-1592) of the 17th Dynasty in Thebe, she has been called the "mother of the New Kingdom" because of her influence over its founders, her son Seqenenre Ta'a II ( 1592-56) and her grandsons, Kamose (1556-50) and Ahmose I (1550-25). From the palace at Deir el-Ballas, she raised the warriors who would oust the Asiatics from the Delta. She lived to be 70 years old, and decrees were issues concerning her service to the nation. Ahmose granted her a great estate and tomb with priests and servants to conduct mortuary rituals in her honor, and a cenotaph was made for her at Abydos.

Around 1590 Co-Regent Tawananna Harapscheki of the Hitite Kingdom (Turkey)
Married to King Hantili. The Queens, Tawannas, are believed to have been a kind of co-regents to their husbands and they possessed considerable influence. The dates of this period are not accurate. 

Ca.1570-ca. 1548 Queen Ahhotep I of Egypt
Among her numerous titles was that of "Mistress of the Lands (Upper and Lower Egypt) and Lady of the Northern Isles. She was wife of Seqenenre Ta'a II and an inscription on the doorway Buhen suggests that she was joint regent with her sons Kamose and Ahmose I, who is generally given credit for founding the 18th Dynasty. It was during the turbulent times when the kings were engaged in a war of liberation to get rid of the Hyksos invaders, and she played a crucial role in safeguarding the kingdom in the south. A stele in Karnak Temple honors her with the words: "She is one who has accomplished the rites and cared for Egypt; she has looked after Egypt's troops and she has guarded them; she has brought back the fugitives and collected the deserters; she has pacified Upper Egypt and expelled her rebels."

1530/1539-... Regent Queen Ahmose Nefertari of Egypt
1504/ 1514 - .... Regent Dowager Queen
The daughter of Ahotep I and Sekenenra Tao II, she seems to have been very influential during the reign of her husband and brother Ahmose I (from 1548), and after his death, she was a regent to her son Amen-Hotep I and later for grandson Totmes. She is depicted a black woman, and mentioned on an inscription depicting the honors being given to Queen Tetisheri, her grandmother, and her name is listed in the Sinai and on the island of Sai in inscriptions. She was popularly celebrated in a posthumous mortuary cult in the necropolis, and the first Queen, who hold the important office of God's Wife of Amun and she was also had the titles of Mistress of the Lands, Mistress of Foreign Countries, Lady of the Two Lands etc.

Around 1472 Joint Reigning Queen Jopes Cassiopeia of Jaffa (Israel)
She ruled the state established by the hoenecians of Sidon jointly with king Cepheus.

1467-1445 or 1479-1458 Pharaoh Hatshepsut of Egypt
Married her half-brother the Pharaoh Totmes II and was the real power behind the throne of Egypt, and assumed supreme power when she took over the government as Regent for her husband's six year old son by a concubine. Hatshepsut surrounded herself with men of outstanding administrative and intellectual ability, and manipulated the council and strengthened her own position by marrying the boy to her own daughter. Hatshepsut renounced the regency when her position was strong enough, and successfully declared herself Pharaoh. Her reign was devoted to peace and prosperity, though she mounted at least one military campaign during her reign. She initiated a number of impressive building projects, including her superb funerary temple at Deir el-Bahari. She encouraged agriculture and trade, establishing new sea trade routes to replace the long overland journeys. Arts and especially architecture flourished. On her death, her half-nephew/stepson/son-in-law, finally became Pharaoh and he systematically smashed all her statues and hid or erased her name from monuments in an attempt to belittle her. She held the titles of Lady of the Land to its Limits, Lady of the Two Lands, Lady of All the Lands, Wife of the God, Great Mother of the King, Mother of the God, Wife and Sister of the King, Sister of the Regent, Chief of the South and North, Mistress of the Two Lands, The Great One, Mistress of the Land, Mistress of the Foreign Countries, Great Wife of the King as well as a large number of priestely titles.

1458 /1470... Joint Queen Regnant Itey the Corpulent of Punt (Somalia)
Sometime in the 15th century she ruled the kingdom of Punt together with king Parahu. The state was placed in the northeastern corner of the country, and today it forms part of the self-proclaimed republic of Puntoland.

1440-20 De-facto Ruler Queen Asmunikal of the Hittite Empire (Turkey)
When her husband, Arnuwandash I came to power between 1440-1420 she managed the affairs of state.

1413-1388 or 1426-1400 Politically Influential Queen Meritamen II of Egypt
Also known as Merytamun, she was the daughter of Totmes III and Hatshepsut II. She is shown on reliefs at Deir el-Bahri with her father, and was married to her ca. 20 years younger brother Amenhotep II. Before her marriage Ahmose's titles read: "Kings Daughter, The Kings Sister, The Gods Wife and Hand, Sweet in Love, (Ahmose Meritamen), Living like Re, The Mistress of the Two Lands".

Before 1400 Queen Mumazes Moso of Ethiopia
Ruled for four years in succession to her father, Tsawente Benu.

1388 Regent Dowager Queen Mutemwia of Egypt
After the death of her husband, Amenophis II (possibly around 1401), she became regent for son Amenhotep III. Amung her many titles were thoes of Lady and Noblewoman, lady of the Two Lands and Mistress of the Two Lands.

1388-79 or 1400-1390 God's Wife of Amun Queen Tiaa of Egypt
Totmes IV followed the fashion of the dynasty and himself depicted as the result of a divine union between Amun-Re and his mother Tiaa. Throughout her son's rule Tiaa was referred to with the titles the King's Mother, and Great Royal Wife at monuments dating to the reign of Totmes IV. She also held the titles of her many titles were thoes of Lady and Noblewoman, lady of the Two Lands and Mistress of the Two Lands, Amung others.

1379-1327 or 1390- 1340 Politically Influential Queen Tiye of Egypt 
Also known as Tiy, she was the power behind the throne during the reign of her husband, Amenhotep III, and mother of several sons and daughters, who all were influential players on the Egyptian scene. Her husband built a palace called Malcata for her as well as a lake for her to sail her barge. When the king was away at his own palace entertaining his women, Tiye was left to run the affairs of state. Several foreign kings mentioned her in their correspondence, signifying the power she wielded. Her son Amenhotep IV or Ikhnaton led a religious revolution and for a time the Queen stayed with him continuing her influence. Her official title was " The Ruleress of Both Countries", and she lived (around 1400-1327/40)

Around 1358 Queen Helena of Ethiopia
She reigned 11 years. 

1353- after 1336 Politically influential Queen Nefertiti of Egypt
Ca. 1336 Possibly Reigning Pharao
Among other she held the titles of Lady of the Two Lands, Lady of All the Lands and Mistress of the Lands, and also held various priestly officies. Her name is enclosed in a royal cartouche, and there are in fact more statues and drawings of her than of her husband, Akhenaten (1351-34), and some have even claimed that it was her who instigated the monotheistic religion of Aten. After 15 years of reign, she mysteriously disappears from view. It could be that she died, although no indication of this exists to this date. Some scholars think that she was banished for some reason, and lived the rest of her years in the northern palace. On the other hand, she is shown wearing kingly regalia, executing foreign prisoners and, as some Egyptologists believe, ruling independently as king following the death of her husband ca.1336 . She had six daughters, but it is possible that Akhenaten's successors - Smenkhkare and Tutankhaten - were his children by another royal wife called Kiya who became his principle Queen for a short while after year 12 of his reign. 

1336-1335 Queen Meritaton of Egypt
The eldest daughter-wife of Amenhotep IV Ehnaton. After 1336 her husband Semenchkare, became Pharaoh and later her son, Meritaton-tasherit succeeded to the throne.

1309-1305 or 1323-1319 Joint Ruler Queen Ankhesenpaaton Ankhesenaun of Egypt
The daughter of Amenhotep IV and Nefertiti, she held the titles of Lady of the Two Lands, Lady of the All the Lands and Mistress of All the Lands. She was politically influential during the reign of her brother-husband, Pharaoh Smenchkare (ruled 1324-1319). Her third husband, Tutanchanon, succeeded her brother as Pharaoh. After his death in 1309, she send a messenger to the King of the Hittits (Anatolia) asking for a son of his she could marry. When he arrived in Egypt he was murdered. She then married her grandfather, Eje, and reigned jointly with him. Pharaoh Horemheb killed her in 1319/05.

Late 1300s Queen Ninurmahmes of Ayalon (Israel)
Ayalon was a principality near Jerusalem. 

Around 1279-1255/54 Politically Influential Queen Nefertari of Egypt
She was married to Pharaoh Ramses II. She was active in diplomacy, and corresponded politically with Queen Puduhepa of the Hitite Kingdom. She may have accompanied her husband to many of his battles, most notably, his victory over the Hitittes at Kadesh in the early part of his reign. From the many surviving inscriptions we know that her titles included: Mistress of the South and the Nort and Lady of the Two Lands. There are many monuments remaining in her honour, built by her husband. Mother of 10 children.

Around 1279 Queen Merytaun of Egypt
The Daughter and wife of Pharaoh Ramses II, she held the title of Mistress of the Two Lands, indicating a role as co-ruler.

Around 1279 Queen Bananit I. of Egypt
Also daughter and wife of Pharaoh Ramses II, she also held the title of Mistress of the Two Lands.

Around 1279 Queen Nebettauy of Egypt
Another daughter and wife of Pharaoh Ramses II, who was Lady and Mistress of the Two Lands, among other titles.

Ca. 1275-ca. 1250 Co-Regent, The Tawananna Puduhepa of the Hittite Kingdom (Turkey)
Pudu-Heba was the daughter of a priest, and was educated in litterature, and became a priestess herself before her marriage to Hattusilis III, who became king of the Hittites after deposing his nephew. They reconstructed and reoccupied the capital at Hattusa (Bogazköy) and shared the rule. She participated in the state administration together with her husband, and made women participate in the state administration equally with men. She co-signed the treaty of Kadesh, and her seal is placed next to that of her husband.

Ca. 1224-ca. 1184 Judge and Queen Debrah of Judeah (Israel)
The term "judge" implied chieftainship, military leadership, and religious duties as well as the dispensing of justice. Deborah, wife of Lapidoth, became known for both wisdom and prophecy, and is the only woman known from biblical and Jewish tradition who was elevated to political power by popular consent. With the help of Barak, a noted military leader, she led a major army of resistance against Sisera, a Canaanite general, in an attempt to stop persistent raids against Israel carried out by the Canaanite king, Jabin. In the aftermath of Deborah and Barak's military victory, Sisera was famously slain by a woman named Jael. Deborah, who was also a prophet and singer, celebrated the defeat of Canaan in "The Song of Deborah." 

Around 1200 Legendary Queen Camilla of Lathium (United Kingdom)
Ruled of one of the British tribes.

Around 1199 Royal Consort and General Fu Hao in the Hunan Province of China
She is referred to in The Oracle Bones as one of the consorts of Wu Ding, twenty-first king of the Shang. The texts, which specifically refer to Fu Hao as a general, indicate that she participated in several military campaigns, including one in which she led 13.000 troops against the Qiang. It also appears that she was responsible for important rituals and controlled her own estate. Her tomb was found in 1976.

1194 – 1192 Joint Regent Queen Tausret of Egypt
1192-1186 Pharaoh
After the death of her brother and husband, Seti II, she became co-regent to their son Ramses-Si-Ptah (later Merne-Ptah-Si-Ptah). After his death a Syrian officer brought a young man, Siptah, to the throne, and married him to Tausert. After Siptah's death in 1192 she ruled alone for 6 years as king. The throne was probably usurped by Selnakht in 1200. Also know as Sitre'-meryAmun Twosre'-Seteptenmut, she also had the names Merymaat-nbtanemnisutmiAmun, Geregkemetuafkhasut and Satre-merenAmun. She was the last member of the 19th Dynasty and throughout her life she carried different titles: King’s Great Wife, Lady of the Two Lands and Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt, Pharaoh, Hereditary Princess, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Protectress of the Pharaoh.

Around 1145 Queen Titi of Egypt
She was the daughter, sister, wife and mother of unknown king, but she is known to have lived around the end of the 21st Dynasty and had the titel of Lady and Mistress of the Lands etc.

After 1145-after 1117 Divine Adoratrix and Gods Wife of Amun Isis IV at Thebes (Egypt)
By bewtowing his daughter with both titles Pharaoh Ramses VI turned it into a political post. From then on it was held by the king's daughter, who therefore became a celibate priestess, barred from marrying, and probably having much political power. Instead they adopted a successor, preferably the daughter of the next king, to ensure the office stayed where the power was. The office now held great religious and political responsibility and prestige in Thebes and was a means for the king to ensure this power, and at the same time prevent an elder daughter from marrying possible claimants to the throne. This made the God's Wife the highest ranking of Amun's 'concubines', which were all virgins and all with adopted successors. Isis was still in office at the end of the first decade of Ramses IX’s reign, but how much longer and whether she was succeeded is unknown. Also held the title of Mistress of the Lands.

1076 -1055 Politically Influential Queen Nodzhmet of Egypt
She was the daughter of High Priest of Amun Pianchi and Hereret and a wife of High Priest of Amun and Pharaoh Herhor (ruled 1080-74). Nodzhmet was a grand-grand – mother of Pharaoh Pinodzhem I (1070-55).

Around 1070-55 God's Wife of Amun Princess Maatkare I Mutemhet at Thebes (Egypt)
Daughter of Pharaoh Pinodzhem I (1070-55) and Henuttaui, and also bore the title of Mistress of the Two Lands and Lady of the Two Lands.

Around 1045- 992 God's Wife of Amun Princess Isetemachbit III in Thebes (Egypt) 
The daughter of Pharao Psusennes I and Queen Wiay and the wife of Menkheperre (High Priest of Amun) at Thebes. She was mother of Queen Isetemachbit IV, pharao Pinodzhem II and Smendis II. From the 21st Dynasty on, the title was always held by an unwed daughter of either the king, or the High Priest of Amun. These included Maatkare, the daughter of the Priest and King, Pinudjem I, and Isetemachbit III, the daughter of King Psusennes I. (b.1050)

Ca. 1005-965 Queen Makeda of Sheba
She is believed to have reigned either in Yemen or an Ethiopian principality. Legends of the Queen of Sheba are common throughout Arabia, Persia, Ethiopia and Israel. In Arabian tradition, Balkis/Balqis ruled with the heart of a woman but the head and hands of a man. Islamic stories portray Solomon as marrying the Queen. In contrast to the Bible, they portray her abandoning her own Gods and converting to the God of the Israelites. According to Ethiopian legend she was born in Ophir, and educated in Ethiopia. Her mother was Queen Ismenie; her father, chief minister to Za Sebado, and succeeded him as King. One story describes that as a child Sheba (called Makeda) was to be sacrificed to a serpent god, but was rescued by the stranger 'Angaboo. Later, her pet jackal bit her badly on one foot and leg, leaving lasting scars and deformity. When her father died in 1005 BCE, Sheba became Queen at the age of fifteen. Contradictory legends refer to her as ruling for forty years, and reigning as a virgin Queen for six years. In most accounts, she never married. She lived (ca. 1020-ca. 965)

Around 993 Queen Nodjemet of Egypt
She was daughter of Amenhotep and Hrere and perhaps married to Herihor and possible mother of Smendes, and among others held the titles of Mistress and Lady of the Lands.

990-969 Governor of Foreign Countries Queen Nesihonsu of Egypt, Vicereine of Nubia
She was politically influential in Egypt during the reign of her husband and uncle, Pharaoh and High Priest of Amun Pinodzhem II of Egypt (Pindudjem) who appointed her Vice-Queen and Chief of Foreign Countries - both cerimonial titles. She was daughter of High Priest of Amun and Pharaoh Smendes II.

990-before 969 Politically Influential Queen Isetemachbit IV of Egypt
Daughter of High Priest of Amun Mencheperre and Isetemachbit III. She was co-wife of her brother Pharaoh and High Priest of Amun Pinodzhem II. She also held many priestely titles and was very rich. She talked a divorce with her brother .Mother of Pharaoh and High Priest of Amun Psusennes II. (d. 969).

981 Regent Dowager Queen Ishaq of Thama (Arabia)
An Assyrian Vassal.

Around 984 Queen Duat-Hathor Henuttauy II of Egypt
The daughter of Smendes and Tentamun, she was married to Pinudjem I, mother of the God's Wife Maatkare I, and holder of the titles of Lady and Mistress of the Lands etc.

873-843 De-facto Co-Ruler Queen Jezebel of Israel
Chief Advisor of her husband, King Achab. She was in charge of the official correspondence, and introduced various forms of Phoenician luxury hitherto unknown in the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Samaria. She also prevailed upon her husband to establish the worship of the Phoenician gods and goddesses, and was a bitter foe of prophet Elijah. After the death of her husband, she continued to exercise a strong and baneful influence over her two sons Ochozias (Ahazia) and Joram (Jehoram), and through her daughter Athalia who married King Joram of Juda, she was also influential there until she was killed by Jehu in 843.

Ca. 870-40 High Priestess and God's Wife of Amun Karomama-Meritmut I at Thebes (Egypt)
In the first half of the 11th century a tehenu (Libyan) named Buyuawa lived at Herakleopolis. His son became father of the local God Hershef and great chief of the Meshwesh. This position was inherited by his descendents. One of these, Sheshonq, married a widowed Queen. During the time of Pinedjem II he was recipient of an oracle from Amen at Thebes in favour of a mortuary cult for his father and good fortune for himself and the army. His grandson, Sheshonq I, became founder of the 22nd Dynasty at Bubastis with the support of the army and consolidated his reign by marrying his son Osorkon to a daughter of Psusennes II. The Libyans accepted Egyptian culture in a superficial way, retaining their separate group identity and militaristic outlook.  She also held the titles of Mistress of All the Land and Mistress of All Appearances.

Around 870-40 High Priestess and God's Wife of Amun Tashaenkheper at Thebes (Egypt)
Her background is not known, but she has been associated with Osorkon III.

842-37 Queen Athaliah of Southern Judeah (Israel)
She was the daughter of Achab Jehoram and Jezebel, and after the death of her son King Ahaziah, she seized power, ruling alone for six years. She is said to have massacred all the male members of the royal house, except for a baby son of Ahaziah, Jehoash, who was concealed by her stepdaughter Jehosheba. Some years later Jehosheba and her husband, the priest Jehoiada, organized a successful coup to place Jehoash on the throne. Ataliah was killed. Her story is told in the Old Testament in II Kings, II Chronicles.

814-813 Legendary Queen Elissa Dido of Chartago (Tunis)
According to legend she was the founder of Chartago but the city is much older.

811-806 Regent Dowager Queen Sammuramāt of Assyria
Ruled in the name of her son Adad-nirai III and might have continued as his co-ruler or they ruled different parts of the kingdom until 787/783. She was legendary for her efficient rule, where she managed to expand the kingdom. She lived (ca. 844-787/783).

754-14 High Priestess and God's Wife of Amun Shepenupet I Merytmut at Thebes (Egypt)
At the time Egypt was divided into three parts: The Delta ruled by the Pharaohs, the Middle Egypt and Upper Egypt ruled by the Priestess of Amun and Wife of God. She was daughter of Pharaoh Osorkon III and Karoaczet. In ca. 735 she adopted and appointed her successor, Princess Amenirdis I, and her official title was " The Ruleress of Both Countries". During the 25th and 26th dynasties (747-525) the office of God's wife of Amun was at its height politically and economically and was often combined with that of the chief of the priestesses of Amun at Thebes and in southern Egypt. It was during this time held by princesses from the ruling family in Tanis in Lower Egypt, as a means to secure peaceful relations with the Delta area. It included an 'oracle' function, through which political decisions were sanctioned as coming from God.

Ca. 745-27 Queen Zaire of Higaz (Arabia)
She payed tribute to king Tiglatilesaris III of Assyria (745-27).

Ca. 738-33 Queen Zabibe of Kedar (Jordan)
An Assyrian Vassal, she commanded armies containing large numbers of women. Succeeded by Queen Samsil.

Ca.736-690 High Priestess and God's Wife of Amun Amenirdis I at Thebes (Egypt)
The daughter of Kashta and Pebtama, she was sister of Piye, who proclaimed himself king of Egypt and "of all lands" by joint authority of Amun of Thebes and Amun of Napata. Her installation as High Priestess of Amun at Karnak gave him political constrol of Southern Egypt.

Ca. 733-ca. 10 Queen Samsil of Kedar (Jordan)
In 734 King Ahaz of Judah asked the help of Tiglath-pileser III, who had taken over the New Assyrian Empire (745-27), to help defend against a coalition of the forces of Rezen of Damascus and Pekah of Israel. Tiglath-pileser obliged by first demolishing Israel’s forces and then, in 732 marching against Damascus and killing king Pekah. She was forced to pay tribute to Tiglatpilesars III (745-27) in return for the use of the harbor of Gaza, which was in his control. She also paid tribute to his successor, Sargon II (722-05). Also known as Samsjja and was succeeded by Queen Yatie.

Ca. 730 Queen Mout of the Sudan
She is mentioned in accounts of the life her son, the Egyptian commander Taharqa, who led the Egyptian forces into Asia against the Assyrian Senachririb. She was married to king Piankhi of Sudan, who laid the foundation for his brother, Shabka to found the 25th Egyptian Dynasty by invading and subduing the various rebel forces in Lower Egypt.

Around 730-716 Queen Abar of Egypt
Daughter Kashta, she was the Sister-Wife of Pharaoh Pije (Piye) she among others held the titles of Lady of the Two Lands and Mistress of the Lands.

Around 716-702 Queen Qalhata of Egypt
The Mistress of the Land, she was married to Shabaka possibly as his Sister-Wife.

710-650 High Priestess and God's Wife of Amun Schepenupet II at Thebes (Egypt)
Daughter of Pharaoh Pije (Piye) and Peksater/Pekeresko. She adopted Amenirdis II and was joint ruler with her from 670, and also held the titles of Mistress and Lady of the Two Lands. As High Priestess she was the leader of the female music-makers who were regarded as the god’s harem and were identified with the goddess Hathor, who was associated with love and music. From the Twenty-third Dynasty and afterwards the priestesses were practically rulers of the theocracy, their duties centering around the reverence of Isis, and many other female and male goddesses and gods.

Ca. 730 Queen Yatie of Kedar (Jordan)
Also known as  Iati'e, she succeeded Queen Samsil as ruler of the nomadic Arabic tribe, living in the deserts of eastern Syria and Jordan. She was succeeded by Queen Te'el-hunu.

Ca. 705-690 Queen Nikauta Kadake of Ethiopia
Her successor, Basyo, reigned for seven years and was succeeded by Queen Akawakis Candace, who reigned for 10 years.

Ca. 690-ca. 67 Queen Telhunu of Kedar (Jordan)
Also known as Te'el-humu, she succeeded Queen Yatie she reigned jointly with King Kaza'il.ca. 690-ca. 675 and then with her successor, Queen Tabua.

Around 690-664 Queen Naparaye of Egypt
The daughter of Piye, she was the sister-wife of Taharka and held the titles of Lady of the Two Lands and Noblewoman of All the Lands, etc.

689 Regent Queen Naqi’a of Assyria
There is some confusion over the identity of the builder Queen whom Heroditus called Nitocris. Naqi’a was the wife of Sennacherib, who ruled (705-681), when, according to the biblical account (II Kings 19:37), he was murdered in Babylon by two of his sons. There is evidence that she acted as regent during his absence on military campaign. Her name indicates that she was of Jewish or Armenian origin.

Ca. 680-67 Queen Iskallabu of Arabia
Co-ruler with King Haza (ca. 680-69). She was Assyrian and placed on the throne by King Asarhaddon, of whom she was a vassal. 

Ca. 678-ca. 675 Queen Tabua of Kedar (Jordan)
The last of five Queens, she first reigned jointly with Queen Telhunu, who reigned from ca. 690. Tabua was succeeded by king Uaite ben Kaza''el.

670-640 High Priestess and God's Wife of Amun Amenirdis II at Thebes (Egypt)
She was daughter of Pharaoh Taharka. She was adopted by Schepenupet II but may never acctually have functioned in the office of the Wife of the God. She later adopted Nitocris I.

656-586 High Priestess and God's Wife of Amun Nitocris I Merymut at Thebes (Egypt)
Daughter of Pharaoh Psametyk I (Psammetichus), who reigned 656-640, and joint ruler with Amenirdis II until 640. She adopted Anchnesneferibre as God's Wife of Amun - 595-25, and as High Priestess 595-60.

598-97 Regent Queen Dowager Nehusta of Southern Judeah (Israel)
In charge of the government for her son, Jehoiachin, who reigned for 3 months. She was daughter of Elnatan of Jerusalem, and is mentioned in the Old Testament, II Book of Kings, 24th Chapter. 

595-25 High Priestess and God's Wife of Amun Ankhesenneferibre at Thebes (Egypt)
She was daughter of Pharaoh Psametyk II and Tachuit and adopted Nitocris II and also held the titles of Lady of the Lands, Lady of the Horus, Judge and Female Horus.

Around 600 Kandake Nensela of Kush (Sudan)
The mother of king Aspelta.

590-59 Legendary Ruler Adela of Friesland (The Netherlands and Germany)
After the murder of Frana in 586 BCE, the people wanted the "borugh maid" Adela to be their new Earth Mother, but she refused because she wished to resign from her citadel and marry, which she did. For the next thirty years no Mother could be elected because each state supported the its own Maiden. More land was lost to the Magy of the Finns and Magyars but not by conquest of arms. He used propaganda on children and bribes on the nobles, promising them permanent hereditary offices with special privileges. These were long term plans that undermined the very foundation of Friesland society. During Adela’s unofficial reign, nobles were then being mentioned but the meaning of such offices was changing. A count took the public inventory; he counted, initially the market sales which were taxed and the profits of the ships which were shared and later on, the military levy of armed men. It eventually became a position of privilege, even an hereditary one. A duke was a hearer of disputes like a local judge and it has already been mentioned that a king was an elected short-term commander.

552 Regent Priestess Addagoppe of Babylon (Iraq)
Also known as Adda-Goppi, she was Priestess of the sun god Sin in Haran, when she moved to Babylon and managed to have her son, Nabu-naid named king (555-39). He spend little time in Babylon, leaving the government in her hands. In order to strengthen the security of the city, she altered the course of the Euphrates and constricted tall embankments on each side. She also built a footbridge across the river. It seems that when her son left Babylon to reside in Taima in north-eastern Asia, and she seems to have continued to act as regent for grandson Bel-shar-usur when he was absent from the city. This might explain why she was buried in Harar with all the honors reserved for a Queen. The Historian Herdodotus wrote of her, but erroneously called her Nitrocris mistakenly had her married to king Labynetus of Assyria. But it seems to be a fact that she died at the age of 104, After her death, Nabu-naid appointed his daughter to be high priestess of the God Sin. Addagoppe lived (647-ca. 547).

Around 529 Queen Tamyris of the Massagatae Tribe (Iran)
According to legend, Cyrus the Great (559-30) wanted to marry her to acquire her portion of Persia (Iran) that she controlled as head of the Massagetae tribe. She refused and gathered an army to stop him. When he son died in battle, she took his place and led her troops to victory. So many accounts of warrior women appear in legends and traditional accounts that one must assume they were more common in battle than most modern historians credit them.

526-515 Regent Queen Dowager Pheretime of Cyrene of Salamis (Libya)
She took care of the government-business from Bule while her son, Arkesilaos III (526-510), re-conquered Cyrene. He was murdered and Egypt helped her take revenge.

525 High Priestess and God's Wife of Amun Nitocris II at Thebes (Egypt)
Daughter of Pharaoh Psametyk II.  She was the last High Priestess and God's Wife of Amun. In 525 king of Persia Kambyses II occupied Egypt and abolished the post of High Priestess and God's Wife of Amun who had been rulers of the theocracy from the 23rd Dynasty around 900.

521-before 515 Politically Influential Queen Atossa of Persia (Iran)
Also known as Hutaosâ, she was first married to her brother, Kambyses II (529-22). Afterwards she was forced to marry Magian usurper Smerdis, who had seized power in March 522. In September 522, Darius, a member of the younger branch of the royal family, the Achaemenids, staged a countercoup and became king. To improve his claim to the throne, Darius married both Atossa, her sister Artystone and her niece Parmys. There may have been another important element: the name Atossa is Zoroastrian, and it may be that she belonged to a family with conntection in the Persian religious establishment. There are indications that she died before 515 and that Herodotus' statement that she helped her oldest son, Xerxes become king therefore is unlikely to be true. The same applies to Aeschylus' play "The Persians", in which she is presented as a widow. She lived (before 545-before 515).

Ca. 520-ca. 480 Political Advisor Queen Gorgo of Sparta (Greece)
According to Herodotus she acted as an informal political advisor to her father, Cleomenes I, and her husband, Leonidas I.

Before 512 Queen Hypsipyle of Lemnos (Greece)
In the ancient realm of myth there is the account that in prehistoric times the island Lemnos was only inhabited by women. This island was called gynaikokratumene, which means reigned by women. In the Greek myth about the Argonauts, a group of men comes to this island on their way to the land of Colchis (in the East of the Black Sea), which was ruled by Hypsipyle. These women of Lemnos lived as self-confident Amazons on this island, their aim of life was not focused on fighting against men. It is likely that this myth reflects former matriarchal life on this island.

Ca. 480 Queen and Admiral Artemisia I of Caria-Harlikarnassos and Kos (Turkey)
As a vassal of Persia, Artemisia was obliged to recruit her own small force when Xerxes invaded Greece - in fact, Artemisia commanded five ships in her own right. Artemisia alone of his commanders advised Xerxes against a naval battle with the Greeks but Xerxes, however, chose to follow the advice of his male advisors, and met the Greeks on the sea in the channel of Salamis on 20th September 480 BCE. Artemisia was aboard one of her ships, commanding their movements. After the initial confusion, the Persians took the offensive. Though she only had one ship left, Artemisia herself disabled the ship of King Damasithymus of Calynda. At a council, Artmesia spoke her mind - she had opposed the war from the beginning and opposed its continuation. She advised Xerxes to leave his trusted commander Mardonus to pursue the Greeks whilst Xerxes himself return home, and would still maintained his dignity whether in victory or defeat. For her wisdom, Xerxes entrusted Artemisia with the care on his sons, and returned home to a kingdom racked by rebellion and conspiracy, to which he ultimately became a victim. Her kingdom prospering from her good relations with Persia. 

465-ca. 440 Politically Influential Queen Amestris of Persia (Iran)
The Greek historian, Therodotus, describes her as a cruel despot. Herodotus reported that she sacrificed children of Persians to the Gods. After the death of her husband, Xerxes I, she was politically influential during reign her son, Artaxerxes I Makrocheir. During the reign of her son Artaxerxes I (465-424), another son, Achaemenes, was killed by Egyptian rebels. They and their Athenian allies were defeated by the general Megabyzus, who offered terms to the rebels to shorten the war. According to the historian Ctesias, Amestris was enraged because Megabyzus had not punished the murderers of her son. Initially, Artaxerxes did not allow her her revenge, but after five years (around 449), he permitted her to crucify the Egyptian leader, Inarus, and kill several captives. She lived (before 486-ca. 440).

Before 440-429 Politically Influential Aspasia of Milos in Athens (Greece)
She was born in the Ionian Greek colony of Miletus (in what is now Turkey), but at some point travelled to Athens, where she became a hetaira - a high-class entertainer (or courtesan), which ment that she was highly educated, independent and payed paying taxes. As a foreigner she was legally forbidden to marry her lover Pericles, but after his divorce they lived together. After his two sons from his first marriage died, their common son obtained Athenian citizenship. Their house became an intellectual centre in Athens, attracting the most prominent writers and thinkers, including the philosopher Socrates. She was known not only to beautiful, but intelligent and skilled in writing and speech; moreover, she was believed to have great political influence. She was openly credited by writers such as Plato with making a significant contribution to Pericles' oratory, especially his famous funeral oration. Her political influence also brought her unpopularity; she was said, for example, to be responsible for the Samian revolt of 440, and for the Peloponnesian War with Sparta (431-404). She was not only attacked by the comic playwrights, but was actually accused of impiety by Hermippus, a comic poet, though Pericles was able successfully to defend her. Plato was so impressed by her intelligence and wit that he is thought to have based his character Diotima on her. After Pericles' death in 429 BCE, Aspasia married the democrat Lysides, with whom she had another son. She lived (ca. 469–ca. 406).

424-405 Joint-Ruler Queen Parysatis of Persia (Iran)
Daughter of Xerxes I (486-66), who was murdered by his chamberlain and succeeded by her brother, Xerxes II, who was assassinated after only 45 days by his half brother, Secydianus, but Parysatis and her husband and brother Darius II conspired against him and had him deposed after only 6 months. She was co-ruler during her husband’s reign, and among other things secured the appointment of her son, Cyrus as Satrap of Lydia, Cappadocia and Phrygia (all in western Turkey) in In 408 or 408. At the same time, he was appointed as commander in chief of Asia Minor, when he was only 15-17 years old. He succeeded to the throne in 404.

Around 401 Joint Ruler Queen Epyaxa of Cilicia (Turkey)
She is known from references to her in Xenophon's Persian Expedition, where she gives considerable aid to the rebel Cyrus. The comments about her do not explicitly state that she was a co-ruler with Syennesis III, simply that she was "Queen" - but she acted in a very independent fashion.

Years 400 Military Leader Telessilla, of Argos (Greece)
A warrior poet, she rallied the women of the besieged city of Argos with war hymns and chants and led them in defending the city against the invading forces.

Around 400 Queen Batnoam of Byblos (Lebanon)
Succeeded king Paltibaal as ruler of the ancient port today known as Jubayl.

Before the 300s Legendary Queen Opoin of the Scytians (Ukraine)
A wide-ranging group of horse nomads who emerged out of central Asia to displace the Cimmerians in the Ukraine during the 8th and 7th centuries BCE. They were among the first people to completely master the art of horsemanship, and their ferocity and mobility became legendary because of it. Superb mounted archers, they also maintained a brilliant and artistically gifted culture whose artifacts can be appreciated in museums around the world. Information about them is fragmentary; much of it derives from the Greek historian Herodotos, who is said to have visited them.

390-80 Queen Hadina Za Hadena of Ethiopia
Her successor, Bayo reigned for 7 years and was succeed by Queen Akawa Candace, who reigned for 10 years.

360-50 Queen/King Nikaula Candace of Ethiopia
The gender of this ruler is not known, but is believed to have been a woman.

Ca. 353-50 Queen Artemisia II of Caria, Rodhos and Harlikarnassos (Turkey)
Also Satrap of Asia Minor or Vice-Reine of the Persian King. Ca. 377-53 she had been co-ruler with her husband and brother, King Mausolos of Caria and Rodhos, who died 353. After Mausolos' death in 353, she became ruler in her own right, and constructed the 49 meters high monumental tomb "Mausoleum" at the center of the city which is a magnificent piece of art in the Hellenistic world and one of the Seven Wonders of the antique era.

345-332 Queen Candace of Meroe (Sudan)
One of the earliest references to the kentakes (Candacs) comes from 332 when Alexander the Great set his sights on the rich kingdom of Nubia. The presiding kentakes, known in history as "Black Queen Candace of Nubia", designed a battle plan to counter Alexander's advance. She placed her armies and waited on a war elephant for the Macedonian conqueror to appear for battle. Alexander approached the field from a low ridge, but when he saw the Black Queen's army displayed in a brilliant military formation before him, he stopped. After studying the array of warriors waiting with such deadly precision and realizing that to challenge the kentakes could quite possibly be fatal, he turned his armies away from Nubia toward a successful campaign in Egypt.

344-30 Regent Queen Cleopatra of Macedonia of Epirus (Greece)
Sister of Alexander the Great, Married to Alexander of Epirus. In 309 she was murdered. 

343-33 Queen Akawkis Candace of Ethiopia
Succeeded king Basyo.

340-35 and 334-20 Queen Ada I of Caria (Turkey)
Co-ruler with her brother and husband Idrieus in succession to their sister, Artemissa II. After his death she ruled alone for three years until her younger brother, Pixadarus (341-335), deposed her. She moved to her fortress Alinda, where she held out for several years. His daughter, Ada II, married a persian nobleman, Orontobates, who became satrap of Caria. Even after the death of Pixodarus, her son-in-law kept her a prisoner in Alinda. Seizing the opportunity afforded by Alexander’s invasion, Ada I opened negotiations with him offering the surrender of all of Caria if she were placed upon her rightful throne. She further offered to adopt him as her son making him at once the legal heir to the throne of Caria by Carian law. Alexander turned inland to face the armies of Orontobates and Memnon who stood ready to defend Halicarnassus. The siege was a short one as Alexander’s army was joined by the Carian forces loyal to their Queen and with Ada at the head of her armies given the honor of taking the acropolis. Though Orontobates and Memnon escaped by sea, Ada sat again on the throne of Halicarnassus and stayed there until her death sometime after the death of Alexander.

334-ca. 323 Regent Princess Barsine of Persia of Pergamon (Turkey)
Ruled in the name of her and Alexander the Great's son Herakles. She was the daughter of king Artabazos IV of Syria. Barsine was married to Mentor, her second husband was her brother Dariusz Memnon, since 333 she was the wife of Alexander the Great.

334-330 Co-Regent Queen Olympias of Epiros (Greece)
330-323 Regent of Epiros
323-16 Regent Dowager Queen of Macedonia (Greece)
Since around 357 she was married to king Philip II of Macedonia, and she later acted as regent for him during his military campaigns. Since 331 she was in exile in Epiros. After her brother's death in 330, with her daughter Cleopatra, she was regent of Epirus for her grandson Neoptolemos. Since 323 she was regent of Macedonia for her second grandson Alexander IV. Murdered during a rebellion and lived (375-316).

Until early the 300's Queen Regnant Tirghetau of Circassia (Russia)
She was head of the region in the foothills north of the Caucasus. Its inhabitants, a sturdy, handsome folk with many often rapacious neighbors, have developed a warrior culture as a response to repeated invasions and slaving raids.

322-317 Politically influential Queen Eurydice II of Macedonia 
319-317 Co-Ruler of Macedonia (Greece)
Daughter of Kynane and Amyntas IV of Macedonia, and influential during the reign of her husband, king Philippos III Arrhidaeus of Macedonia. 319-317 de facto co-ruler of Macedonia with Nicanor. She fought for the power with Olympias. Killed in 317. She lived (337-317).

322-287 Politically influential Queen Phila of Macedonia
294-287 Co-Ruler of Macedonia (Greece)
The daughter of Antipater I, regent of Macedonia. She was influential during the reigns of her husbands Crateros ( 322-319) and Demetrius I (319-287), and was active in diplomacy until she killed herself in 287.

322 Military Leader Kynane in Macedonia (Greece)
The sister of Alexander the Great, married to king Amyntas of Macedonia, she supported the marriage of her daughter Euridike to Filip Arridajos, who became king of Macedonia. Kynane was murdered, and lived (Ca. 357-322).

320-335 Joint Ruler Queen Kumaradevi Licchavi of the Gupta Empire (India)
She was always mentioned jointly with her husband Maharajadhiraj Chandragupta I in seals and proclamations. The Guptas were an obscure clan and it is their alliance with the Licchavi Federation that enabled them to rise to power swiftly. Naturally, the stronger partner in the alliance would insist that their representative hold equal power. It is also emphasized by the fact that their son, Samrat (emperor) Samadragupta is always described in the family list as 'son of Licchavi daughter'.

314-13 Ruler Kratesipolis of Korinthos and Siyon (Greece)
In 308 she handed over Korinthos to Ptolomy I of Egypt.

306-285 Regent Dowager Queen Amastris of Herakleia, Pontica and Pontos (Turkey)
Pontos is also known as or Pontoiraklaia. She was a niece of Dariusz III Kodoman, she was married to tyrant Dionizos, Krateros and since 300 to Lysimachus, king of Thrace and Macedonia, whom she divorced in 298 and returned Herakleia. After her death Lysimachus give Herakleia to Arsinoe II. Amastris lived (?-285). 

Around 306 Politically Influential Dowager Queen Xuantaihou of the Qin Dynasty in China
After the death of her husband, King Wuwang she had a relationship with a King of the Yiqu Statelet in today's northwestern Shenxi Province. She had two sons with him, but had the king killed and incorporated the lands of Longxi (Gansu), Beidi (Yinchuan of Ningxia) and Shangjun (Yulin, Shenxi Prov) in the Kingdom her son, King Zhaoxiangwang of Qin, who ruled 306-251.

Around 300 Queen Kuwerami of the Waytharly Kingdom (Myanmar-Burma)
Succeeded king Rembotepa and was succeeded by Urmasiye. Some historians believe that records about Waytharly kingdom were legendary.

Around 300 Celtic Chiefess in Reinheim (Germany)
Known from her very elaborate grave. 

298/97-95 Regent Dowager Queen Thessalonica of Macedonia (Greece)
Regent for her son Philippos IV.

285-281 Ruler Arsinoe II Piladelphos of Herakleia, Pontica, Kassandria and Ephesos (Turkey)
281-279 Resided in Kassandreia
277-70 Co-Regent Queen of Egypt
The daughter of Ptolemy I Soter, she was married to King Lisymachus of Tracia 299-281. He gave her Herakleia, Pontica, Kassandria and Ephesos. After his death in 281 she resided in Kassandreia. She had been married to her half brother Ptolomy Keraunos of Macedonia, but after he murdered one of her sons in 279 she escaped to Egypt. Before 274 she was wife of and co-ruler of her, brother Ptolomy II Piladelphos. She lived (around 316-270).

284/281-around 274 Queen Arsinoe I of Egypt
She ruled with her husband Ptolemy II Piladelphos, but was found guilty of plotting against him and exiled to Coptos in the 270s, possibly in 274/3. She was daughter of Lysimachus, king of Thrace and Macedonia. Mother of Ptolemy III, Lysimachus and Berenice Phernophorus, and lived (305/295 -?).

Ca. 262-35 Regent Dowager Queen Olympiada of Epiros (Greece)
After the death of Pyrrhus II, she was reigned in the name of Ptolemy (ca. 262-235).

Ca. 260-50 Queen Nikoses Candace of Ethiopia
It is possible that she reigned 240-30.

260-50 Queen Bartare of Meroe (Sudan)
A large number of reigning Queens, known as Kandakes (or Candaces), is recorded in the history of Meroe. This forms a link with the matriarchal traditions of Africa and the high status accorded to women in Nubian culture. Already in the period of the Kushite Dynasty in Egypt, leading social positions, among them that of king, were passed down through the female line. Kings traced their lineage back through their mothers. The successor to a dead king would generally be the son of his sister.

253-246 Queen Regnant Berenike of Pentapolis (Cyrene) (Libya)
246-21 Co-Regent Queen (Berenike II Euergetis) of Egypt
Daugther of King Magas of Cyrene( BCE 308-253) and Apame. Since 246 she was married to Ptolomy III Euergetes I. Mother of 4 children: Ptolomy IV Filopator, Magas, Arsinoe and Berenike. Her son Ptolomy IV killed her in 220. She lived (258-220).

253 Sovereign Lady Laodike III of Egypt of Propontis (Turkey)
247-246 Regent of Syria
Politically active during the reign of her husband-brother (or cousin, King Antiochiaos II of Syria (267/66), and after their divorce, she became Lady of Propontis. Later regent for Seleukos II Kallinikos and after he came of age she remained politically active until she was murdered. She lived (287/84-237/36).

253 Regent Dowager Queen Apama of Cyrene (Libya)
She was a daughter of king Antiochia I Soter of Syria and Statonike.In 274 she married King Magas of Cyrene. She was deposed by daughter, Berenike, married to Ptolomy III of Egypt and the two countries were united. 

250 Regent Dowager Queen Etazeta of Bithynia (Tyrkey)
After the death of her husban, king Nicomedes I, she continued to rule on behalf of their infant sons. Zialas, a grown-up son by an earlier wife, Ditizele, had previously fled to Armenia. Now Ziaelas returned, at the head of some Galatians. Although she was supported by neighbouring cities and Antigonus, Ziaelas conquered first part, then all of Bithynia. Etazeta and her sons, including another Ziboetes, fled to Antigonus’ court in Macedonia.

250-241 Politically Influential Queen Agezystrata of Sparta (Greece)
She was married to king Eudamidas II of Sparta and was the mother of king Agis IV (ruled 244-241). She was very rich and helped her son by country reforms. Agis IV had to convince his mother about his plans because of her authority in the city. She was murderd with son and mother in 241.

248-233 Queen Deidamia of Epiros (Greece)
Ptolemy was king (ca. 262-235). Pyrrhus III succeeded as king in 235.

Before 246 Regent Dowager Empress Xuan of the Qin Dynasty in China
She reigned the state as regent for 41 years even after her son had become an adult. After she became old, it still took him three years’ work to curb her power. She was seen as an astute politician and had laid the base for Qin Shihuangdi to unite China.


246 Regent Dowager Queen Berenice Syra of Syria
The daughter of Ptolemy II of Egypt, and her marriage in 252 to Antiochus II marked a temporary cessation in the wars between the Egyptian monarchs and the Seleucids. After the death of her husband she took over the regency and her army conquered Soloia in Cilicia, but Laodice, the king's divorced first wife, had Berenice and her infant son killed before her brother, Ptolemy III, could arrive. New war resulted.


245 Dowager Tyrant Nikaia of Korinthos and Euboia (Greece)
Married to the uncle of Alexander the Great, Antigonos Gonatas, Governor of Macedonia etc., and was his co-ruler until he was deposed in 250. She then married his son Demetrios II. 

244-224 Politically Influential Queen Agiatis of Sparta (Greece)
She was heiress to the substantial property of her father Gylippus. Until 241 she was married to king Agis IV and supported his reforms in country. Her second husband was king Cleomenes III (235-222), was heavily influenced by her. He sympathized with his wife's devotion to Agis and her remembrance of him. Consequently he often asked about what had happened, and paid careful attention when she explained Agis' purpose and policy. She died in 224.

244-241 Politically Influential Queen Archidamia of Sparta (Greece)
She was very rich and helped her grandson by country reforms. Murdered in 241. She was one of a number of Spartan Princesses who led female troops. She fought against Pyrrhus during the siege of Lacedemon in the 3rd century BCE. The Princess Chelidonis captained women warriors atop the city wall during a siege of Sparta in 280 BCE. Murdered in 241.

 240/230 Queen Nikoses Candace of Ethiopia
Succeeded king Basyo.

233-32 Rani Padmavati of the Maurya Empire (India)
After the death of her husband Ashoka Vardhana or Govindchand she ruled the empire which was the first really large and powerful centralised state inIndia. It was very well governed, with tempered autocracy at the top anddemocracy at the city and village levels. Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador at the court of Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra, had expressed his admiration for the efficient administration of the empire. His book 'Indica' is a collection of comments of other Roman and Greek travelers, and Megasthenes wrote about the prosperity of the Mauryan cities. Since she had no children her her advisors appointed Hariprem Vairagi as king.

231-28 Regent Dowager Queen Teuta of Arcliano (Illyrian State) (Albania)
She had practically been co-ruler with her husband Agron, and after his death in 230 BCE, she was regent for son Pinnes. The state covered Northern Albania and part of Montenegro.

217-205 Co-Regent Queen Arsinoe III of Egypt
Co-ruler with son Ptolomy IV Philopator. In 217 she participated in the battle by Rapheia, killed after her husband's death. Their son Ptolomy was born earlier the same year. 

Ca. 215-175/76 Co-Reigning Queen Kamasayre Philoteknos of the Bosporanian Realm (Crimean) (Georgia)
Ruled jointly with husband, Pairisades II, who died around 190.

213/212-203 Politically Influential Agathoclea in Egypt
She and her mother had great influence over her lover, king Ptolemy IV, and they were very influential in the royal court together with her brother, Agathocles. Theyt were all killed during an uprising against her brother.

213/212-203 Politically Influential Oenanthe in Egypt
Together with her daughter and son, they were very influential during the reign of king Ptolemy IV.

200's Queen Martia Proba of a Celtic Tribe (United Kingdom)
Her seat of power was in London, and she was holding the reins of government so wisely as to receive the surname of Proba, the Just. She especially devoted herself to the enactment of just laws for her subjects, the first principles of the common law tracing back to her; the celebrated laws of Alfred, and of Edward the Confessor, being in great degree restorations and compilations from the laws of Martia, which were known as the "Martian Statutes".

Late 200s-early 100s Legendary Queen Amage of the Roxolanoia (Russia)
The Roxolanoia tribe was probably deriving their name from the proto-Iranian Raokhshna, or “shining”. The name may also derive from a term meaning, essentially, “The Western Alans”. They were among the most powerful of the Sarmatian tribes, inhabiting much of the region north of the Black Sea. The ruling dynasty of the Bosporan Kingdom (see Crimea) from the end of the 1st century BCE on was Sarmatian in origin, and probably belonged to the Roxolanoi originally.

195-80 Dowager Empress Lü Hou of China
She was married to a former peasant named Gao Zu, whom she had goaded into power and who ruled as the first emperor of the Han Dynasty. She had her son named heir, and acted as regent after the death of her husband. When her son died, she designated another child to succeeded him. When the young emperor began to question her authority, she had him imprisoned and designated a third child-emperor. In 180 one of her late husband's relatives had her put to death, an placed her stepson, Wen-Ti Han (180-157), on the throne.

194 Co-Reigning Queen Stratonike of Assyria (Syria)
Her former husband Seleuklos left the throne and her to his son, Antiochiaos I, her stepson. 

194-176 Joint Reigning Queen Cleopatra I of Egypt
187 Vizier
She had been appointed to the office of Vizier in 187. Daughter of king Antiochiaos III of Syria, and joint regent with husband, Ptolomy V Epifanes. She lived (204-176).

188-180 Empress Oxu of China  
De-facto ruler with a number of nominal emperors from the Han Dynasty.

170-150 Queen Shanakdakheto of Meroe (Nubia)
Her name is carved in a ruined temple where the earliest inscriptions in Meroitic hieroglyphic writing are found. Her pyramid at Meroë is one of the largest ever built for a Kushite ruler. It has a unique chapel with two rooms and two pylons. The chapel is among the most elaborately carved of any known. The scenes in the chapel show military campaigns to the south and the capture of numerous cattle and prisoners.

173-64 and 164-115 Co-Regent Queen Cleopatra II Filometor of Egypt
127 Sole Ruler of Egypt
Daughter of Cleopatra I and Ptolomy V Epifanes and married to her brother, Ptolomy VI, 145 regent for son Neos Philator VII, 144 married to brother Ptolomy VIII, assassinated son and became co-regent again. In 142 her husband married her daughter, Cleopatra and made her co-regent. War between Cleopatra II, her brother-husband and her daughter, 131-27, she was sole ruler in Egypt, 127 exile by daughter Cleopatra Thea of Syria, 124 reconciled with husband and daughter and ruled jointly with them. After Ptolomy's death in 116 she reigned together with daughter and grandson. Cleopatra II was killed 115. She lived (184-115).

153 Queen-Candidate Laodike IV of Syria
The Daughter of Antiochiaes IV, she was presented in the Roman Senate as rival to the throne against Demetrios I.

150-125 De-facto Ruler Cleopatra Thea of Syria
125-121 Queen Regnant of Syria
129-21 Joint Reigning Queen of Egypt
Married to Alexander Balas, 150, Demetrios II 146 and Antiochiaus VII 138-29, Co-ruler with son Antiochiaus VIII. Her husband Demetrius was weak and she was the de-facto ruler. After his death she ruled in her own right, having her other claimants to the throne killed. Her son, Antiochiaus VIII Grypus (121-96) was co-ruler only in name. But in 121 Cleopatra offers a cup of wine to Antiochiaus when he has returned from the hunt. He insisted that she drank the wine herself, which she did - and died.  

141-135 Regent Dowager Empress Dou of China
She reigned in the name of her grandson, Emperor Wu Di, who struggled to build a coalition of support to challenge her influence. Imperial patronage swung back and forth like a pendulum depending on who momentarily enjoyed the upper hand. She wielded her influence by supporting scholars associated with "Daoist" thinking, and when the Confucians tried to bypass consulting with her, the Daoists became enraged and had several Confucians secretly investigated. Afterher death, the Confucians gained the upper hand. She (d. 135).

138-before 127 Regent Dowager Queen Ri-'nu of Parthia (Turkey)
Other versions of her name is Riinu or Rihinu, and she was regent for son Phraates II.

136-131  Joint Reigning Queen Cleopatra III of Egypt
131-129 Co-ruler in Kyros
116-101 Co-ruler of Egypt
Daughter of Cleopatra II and Ptolomy VI. Married to her uncle, Ptolomy (Ptolemy) VIII Euergetes II, while her mother was still his official wife. She had two sons - Ptolemy IX Philometor Soter II (Lathyros) and Ptolemy X Alexander I as well as three daughters, Cleopatra IV, Cleopatra Tryphaena, and Cleopatra Selene. Her husband left the succession to Cleopatra and to whichever son she preferred. The Alexandrians wanted Lathyros, governor of Cyprus to be co-regent. He was was brought back to Alexandria to co-rule and Cleopatra's favourite, Alexander was sent to Cyprus. Lathyros was married to his sister, Cleopatra IV but their mother repudiated the marriage and replaced her with another sister, Cleopatra Selene. Cleopatra IV went to Cyprus where she tried to raise an army and to marry Ptolemy Alexander. She failed and moved on to Syria where she used her army as a dowry and married Antiochiaus IX Cyzicenus who was son of Antiochiaus Sidetes and Cleopatra Thea. Cleopatra III finally succeeded in driving out Lathyros in 107 BCE when she accused him of trying to murder her. He left behind his wife and his two sons. His brother returned from Cyprus and assumed the throne. After the death of Alexander in a naval battle, Lathyros, who was now in his mid-fifties, was brought back to Alexandria to try to put back together the Ptolemaic empire. He died at the age of 62 and left no legitimate heir to the throne as both of his sons by Cleopatra Selene appear to have died at a young age. His daughter Cleopatra Berenice ruled alone for a while after his death. She lived (161-101).

135-23 Regent Dowager Queen Agathokleia of Gandhara (India, Pakistan and Afghanistan)
She took over the regency for her son, Strato I after the death of her husband, Menander (155-135), a Greek general born in India and sucessor to the Indo-Bactrian Empire. His capital Sagala became very important centre of learning and art. He possibly expanded the Empire into the Ganges river plain with help of Panchala king. Menander was well known to Indians as the great King Milinda, who debated Buddhist doctrine with the philosopher Nagasena in a question and answer format. Very little is known about the successors of Menander. There was a mention of Antialcidas and his emissary Heliodorus in the form of an inscription on a pillar Sanchi in India. Agathokleia was born as a Bactian Princess.

135-105 Queen Regnant […]khale of Meroe (Sudan)
The first part of her name has been lost in the incription of her name in the list of Meroean rulers.

130 De Facto Ruler Queen Laodike of Cappadocia (Greece)
The widow of Ararathes V of Cappadocia, she poisoned 5 (step)sons and ruled in the name of the 6th.

130-126 Regent Dowager Queen Nysa of Cappadocia (Turkey)
Widow of Ariarathes V Epiphanes Philipator and regent for their son Ariarathes V (130-116). In 190 her husband had secured that the state became an independent kingdom. Formerly it was a satrapy under the Persian Achaemenid Empire. It was incorporated by Alexander the Great into the Macedonian Empire, and on Alexander's death became a client state of the Selecucid Empire.

125/24 Regent Dowager Queen Ghadani of Iberia (Georgia)  
After the death of her son Rhadamiste I (or Ghadam), she assumed the regency for her  grandson Pharasmenes III (135-185) in the ancient country in Transcaucasia, roughly the eastern part of  present-day Georgia. It was inhabited in earliest times by various tribes, collectively called Iberians by ancient historians, although Herodotus called them Saspirams. The kingdom was allied to the Romans, ruled by the Sassanids of Persia, and became a Byzantine province in the 6th century. She was widow of King Pharasmenes II Kveli (ca. 116-32), and daughter of King Sanatroukes a Parthian King of Armenia. She was (b. ca. 100).

123-111 Politically Influential Queen Cleopatra Tryphæna of Syria
During the reign of her husband, king Antiochiaus VIII Grypos of Syria. She was daughter of Cleopatra III and Ptolomy VIII of Egypt, and was killed in 111.

120-115 Regent Dowager Queen Laodice of Pontus (Turkey)
Following the death of her husband, king Mithradates V, she ruled in the place of her 11 years old son, Mithradates VI. Eupator Dionysos. About 115 BCE, she was deposed and thrown into prison by her son. She was daughter of king Antiochus IV Epiphanes of Syria and Queen Laodice.

116-115  Joint Reigning Queen Cleopatra IV of Egypt 
She was first married to brother Ptolomy IX who divorced her, and then to Antiochiaus IX of Syria, who was murdered in 112 after his fall from power. 

115-110 and 109-07 Joint Reigning Queen Cleopatra V Selene of Egypt
115-69 Politically Influential in Syria
Daughter of Cleopatra III and Ptolomy VIII. She was married to brother Ptolomy IX, to king Antiochiaus VIII Grypos of Syria, to Antiochiaus IX of Syria, and since 95 to king Antiochiaus X Eusebes Filopator of Syria. Mother of two sons. 93-69 she fought for the throne of Egypt for her sons. With Ptolomy IX she had Ptolomy X and Ptolomy XI. She was killed and lived (ca. 135-69).

113-112 Regent Dowager Queen Cu-Thi of Nam Viêt (Vietnam)
Ruled for one year until she and her son were murdered together with son, Trieu Ap Vu'o'ng. Duong Vuong reigned for one year until the Han Emperor Wudi invaded the country and renamed it as Giao Chi prefecture. The Chinese ruled Vietnam until 544 CE.

Around 107-57 Envoy Feng Liao in Western China
During the reign of Emperor Wu Di (BCE 140-86) she companied Princess Xieyou as her lady-in-waiting on her bridal journey to marry the chieftain of the Wusun tribe in the Western Regions. Feng Liao was to remain in the western regions for over 50 years. Acting as the Princess's envoy, she did much to promote unity and friendship between the Hans and the various minority nationalities in the Western Regions. Touring the tribes south of the Tianshan Mountains in the Western Regions, she succeeded in establishing friendly relations with them all. Feng Liao was a student of history, and she avidly studied the policies of the Han court, as well as the customs of people living in the Western Regions. Her political insight, manners and generosity won her the honorable title, "Madame Feng". Another outstanding contribution, that Feng Liao made, was to settle a struggle over power among the Wusun tribal chiefs. Those in power in the Wusun tribe were then splitting into two fiercely contending factions: one being pro-Xiongnu, and the other pro-Han. When the old chieftain died, the Han Princess married his successor Wongguimi, who also had a Xiongnu wife. Wongguimi also died not long after, leaving his son Nimi, born of his Xiongnu wife, in power.

Ca. 102-ca.90 Joint Queen Regnant Anzaza of Elymias (Iraq)
She was joint ruler with Kamnaskares III (ca. 120-ca. 77) of the Helleno-Iranian kingdom located in what is now southeastern Iraq and the Zagros Mountains of Iran. Its name is a Hellenization of "Elam", an ancient state in roughly the same region. Its capital was Susa, the center of the Achaemenid Persian kings.

101-88 Co-Regent Queen Berenike III of Egypt
81-80 Reigning Queen (6 months)
Married to Oheimis Ptolomy X, 88-81 she reigned joinly with father Ptolomy IX, 81 sole ruler, 80 married and co-ruler with step-son Ptolomy XI who had her murdered after 19 days. He was later murdered him self. She lived (120-80).

Years 100 Queen of Pandyan (India)
She was ruler of the Tamil dynasty in the extreme south of India, and first mentioned by Greek authors in the fourth century BCE Megasthenes mentioned that the Pandyan kingdom was ruled by a daughter of Herakles, and credited her with having an army of 4.00 cavalry, 13.000 infantry and 500 elephants. The poetry and heroic ballads that survive from this period indicates that the Cheras, the Cholas and the Pndyas were in constant conflict with each other.

100s Queen Larthia Seianti of the City State of Caere in Etruria (Italy)
Her splendid sarcophauge has lead historians to speculate that she might have been Queen of the City State of Chiuisi or Caere. Even if Caere did not have kings and Queens at this time (as did Rome, or as Caere certainly did in the 5th century), it is clear that society had become sharply differentiated, not only in regard to wealth but also in division of labour. Many scholars hypothesize the existence of a powerful aristocratic class, and craftsmen, merchants, and seamen would have formed a middle class; it was probably at this time that the Etruscans began to maintain the elegant slaves for which they were famous.

Around 100 Ruler Aba of  Olbe (Turkey)
The daughter of Zenofantes, tyrant of Cilicia, and Olbe was a city in this principality.

Ca. 82-65 Joint Ruler Queen Anzaze of the Arskadies and Sasanides (or Elymasis) (Persia)
She ruled together with King Kamnaskires II.

80-57 Co-Regent Queen Cleopatra VI Tryphæna of Egypt
57-56 Reigning Queen
Daughter of Cleopatra V and sister of Cleopatra VII and Berenike IV. She was joint ruler with some members of her family and sole ruler after the death of her father.

76-67 Queen Regnant Salome Alexandra of Israel
She succeeded her husband Alexander Jannaeus and was succeeded by son.

74-67 Joint Regent Dowager Empress Shangguan of China
When her husband, Emperor Zhaodi died at the age of 22, she became regent for her son Emperor Xuan Di, who ruled 74-49. Her maternal grandfather, Huo Guang, was in control. He had her tutored in the Confucian classics.

71-6? Regent Dowager Queen Sayiadat of Molokram (Arabia)
She was regent for Rabb'il from the Nabatean Dynasty.

62-47 Princess Musa Orsobaris of Prusias (Albania)


58-33 Queen Nikotnis Candace of Ethiopia


57-55 Reigning Queen Berenike IV of Egypt
Also known as Bernice, she was the oldest daughter of Auletes (Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos) and ruled for three years during his exile. At the beginning of his exile, she co-ruled with her mother Cleopatra V Tryphaena until the mother's death about a year later. She married Seleucus Kybiosaktes but had him strangled. She then married Archelaus. Her father finally paid out enough money and was brought back to Egypt. Archelaus' army was defeated and Pompey suggested that Auletes be returned to the throne. One of his first acts was to have his daughter executed. She lived (78-55).

51-30 Queen (Joint Ruler) Cleopatra VII of Egypt
37 Princess of Kalkis, Lebanon, Phoenician and Kilika
34 Queen of Kings
Married to brother Ptolomy XIII, he had her exiled in 48, but from the following year, she was co-ruler with second brother Ptolomy XIV and from 44 co-ruler with her and Cæsar's son Ptolomy XV Cesarion after Cæsar deposed Ptolomy XIII. 41 civil war, in 34 she was given title of Queen of Kings and her husband title King of Kings in the World Realm of her other husband Antonius, 33-31 at war with Octavian, deposed and committed suicide in 30.

48-13 CE De facto ruler Queen Chen-chuan of China
First together with husband, Yuan Ti and afterwards with a succession of heirs; first with son Cheng Ti and then with nephew Wang Mang. She (d. 13 CE). 

48 Co-Ruler Arsinoe IV of Kypros 
48-47 Anti-Queen of Egypt
Daughter of Ptolomy XII, after fights with Cæcar in 48 she was sent to Rome but released in 41 on her sister, Cleopatra VIIs request, and was co-ruler with her husband-brother Ptolomy XIV, who divorced her in 47 when he married their sister Cleopatra. Since 47 she was in exile in Rome and then in Efez. Murdered on the request of Antonius, and lived (63-41).

47-42 Reigning Queen Anula of Sri Lanka
She succeeded husband, King Tissa (50-47) and ruled jointly with Vatuka, Darubhatika Tissa and Niliya all in 47 and Kutakanna Tissa, who was king 41-19. She is rumored to have had all her husbands poisoned. 

44-41 Politically Influential Fulvia in Rome (Italy)
Daughter of Mark Fulvius Bamboni and Sempronia. In succession she was married to Clodius Pulcher (murdered in 52), Curio (died 49), Mark Antonio. In 52 she testified against Clodius' murderer (Milo), and may have organized support for him. In 44 Cicero attacked her in speeches against Antonio. 43 Siege of Mutina Antonio was defeated by Octavian. Fulvia canvasses for Antonio, among senators, blocks attempt to declare him a public enemy (against Cicero), lawsuits to strip her property failed. After the forming of the Second Triumvirate Fulvia was accused of profiting from confiscations. In 41 she supposedly controlled affairs at Rome, opposed Octavian, raised troops with L. Antonius, but he was defeated by Octavian by the siege in Perugia in 40. She died of illness in 40.

43-28 Regent Dowager Queen Polemakratia of Asten and Odryseem (Thrakia)(Albania)
Ruled in the name of her son, King Kotys.

41-12 Queen Amanishabheto of Meroe (Nubia)
Also known as Amanishakhete, she repulsed the Roman Army in three battles that Octavius had sent to conquer Nubia 24-21BCE. When the Roman emperor Augustus levied a tax on the Cushites, she and her son, Akinidad, led a fierce attack on a Roman fort at the Egyptian city Aswan. Under orders from Augustus, the Roman general Petronius retaliated but met strong resistance from her and her troops. The two parties agreed to negotiate a settlement. Ambassadors from both sides met at the Greek Island Samos, where the Romans agreed to rescind the tax and return land to the Cushites. She possessed vast wealth and power, considering the pyramid where she lay buried and the treasures that surrounded her in her death. Her mud brick palace is one of the largest identified to date. It measures some 61 meters in length and covers an area of some 3,700 squares meters. The ground floor contained over 60 rooms for various purposes. This palace originally had a second story as the remains of columns found on the ground floor indicate, and this may have contained an atrium, a design feature paralleled elsewhere. She was succeeded by her daughter, Amanitore.

34 Queen Regnant Cleopatra Selene of Cyrene and Libya (Libya)
Daughter of Cleopatra VII and Antonius, who appointed her as Queen. In 20 married to King Luba II of Mauritania.

30-20 Regent The Dowager Queen of Molokram (Arabia)
She was regent for Obodas III from the Nabatean Dynasty.

Around 15 Queen Amanisahte of Meroe (Nubia)
Succeed by husband Queen Amaitere and King Natakamani.

Until BCE 13 and BCE 8-7/8 CE Reigning Queen Dynamis of the Bosporanian Realm (Georgia)
A grandchild of King Mithridatis of Persia, she inherited the country from her father. In 17/16 her first husband, Asander, died. Her second husband was deposed by the third, the king of Pontus. They divorced and she was in exile until his death. Died ca. 70 years old. and was succeeded by fourth husband, Spurges, who had not previously been co-ruler.

BCE12-CE 12 Queen Amanitore of Meroe (Sudan)
She succeeded her mother, Amanishaketo, jointly with her husband King Natakamani. She is mentioned in the Bible in the story about the Conversion of the Ethiopian in Acts 8:26-40: "And the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Get up, and go toward the south unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert. And he got up and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Isaiah the prophet.....". She was succeeded by Queen Nawidemak.

BCE 10-5, 4-2 and BCE 6-12 CE Queen Regnant Erato of Greater Armenia  
Her father, Tigran III had been force to accept the supremacy of Rome, but the dynasty still used the title of "King of Kings." She first married her half-brother Tigran IV, who was disposesed by Augustus because of suspected treachery, and Tiberius came again to Armenia to replace him with their cousin Artavazd. This led to discontent and finally to civil war, partly instigated by Tigran, whom Phraates, King of Parthia, was secretly backing. Augustus sent his godson, Caius Caesar, to bring about an appeasement, but before his arrival, Tigran IV was killed in a riot, while she took to flight. The revolt was supressed, and in the year 1 CE, the Armenian throne was bestowed upon Ariobarzan, a Mede by origin, who was accepted because of his eminent qualities. But he very shortly was killed by accident, and Augustus nominated Artavazd, his son, as his successor. But the opposition to foreign rule soon found expression in the assassination of the King. Augustus thereupon abandoned his ill-conceived policy and sent Tigran V, a descendant of the national dynasty, to occupy the throne. But the nation's tranquility, apparently restored by this concession, was soon disturbed. The nobles recalled Queen Erato, but also her second reign was short, and her overthrow marked the end of the dynasty of Artashes and Tigran.

BCE 8-23 CE Queen Regnant Pythodorida of Pontus (Turkey)
She succeeded Polemon I, and in 23 the kingdom was reincorporated into the Roman Empire.

BCE 3- 6 CE Regent Dowager Queen Thea Ourania of Parthei (Turkey)
Took over the regency for son Pharaateces after the death of her husband, Phraates IV.

1-6 Reigning Dowager Empress of China
The widow of emperor Lui Xin (BCE 5-CE 1), she reigned together with Minister Wang Mang in the name of the nominal emperor Liv Kan. The Han dynasty ended in year 8 after a reign of more than 200 years, during which the methods of bureaucracy was developed, which held the vast empire together.

Around year 1 Queen Medb of Connaught (Ireland)
Also known as  Maeve, she was daughter of the high king of Ireland, Ouchu Feidlich, and married King Ailill mac Mata of Connaught. It seems that she was once married to Conchobor mac Nessa, the king of Ulster. She was powerful enough to be euhemorized in myth as a triune goddess of fertility and nature. 

3-40 Regent Queen Antonia Thryphaena of Pontus (Turkey)
38-40 Regent of Thrace
Ruled in the name of son King Polemos who succeeded her mother in Pontus in Asia Minor. He succeeded a brother, Rhoemetaces, who had become king after the murder of her husband, Kytos.

7/8-23 Queen Pythodoris I Philometer of Pontus (Turkey)
Also known as Pantos Pythodorida, she succeeded husband, Polemon I, and married King Archelaos of Cappadocia. Succeeded by daughter and her son.

11-40 Joint Reigning Queen Shaqilat I of the Nabataean Kingdom (Jordan)
She appeared on the coins together with her usband king Aretas IV, indicating a joint rule.

Around year 12 Queen Regnant Nawidemak of Meroe (Sudan)
Also known as Naldamak, she succeed her mother, Amanitore, who reigned from BCE 12. Nawidemak is portrayed on a pyramid as Osiris, a male god sheltered by the wings of the great goddess Isis. Before her ruled aunknown queen. Her husband was prince Apedemakhe. Her son Arikharer [Arikhankharer] ruled in 10-15.

14-29 De-facto Co-Regent Augusta Livia of the Roman Empire
Livia Drusilia Augusta was a member of the ancient, wealthy and powerful patrician gens claudia, the Claudian family. Octavian divorced his first wife Scribonia and forced Livia to divorce Tiberius so they could marry in 38 BCE. It was a political marriage in the tradition of the Republic, intended to bring together the wealth and might of the gens claudia and the gens julia, the Julian family, into which Octavian had been adopted by Julius Cæsar. The marriage thus formed an important part of Octavian's strategy in the intense power struggles of the late Republic. The dynasty they founded is known as the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Though their union was political in nature, there were warm feelings between the two, at the very least a profound sense of mutual loyalty. Their marriage lasted 52 years, until the death of Augustus in 14 CE. Livia never bore him any children, but Augustus Adopted Tiberius after a number of other possible heirs all died. Livia's son Drusus died in an accident in 9 CE. Livia was quite influential, through her personal wealth, through her intelligence and political sense, and through her marriage. She played a central role in the establisment of the Principate, along with Augustus and M. Agrippa. Livia's influence continued when her son Tiberius became emperor, until her death in 29 CE at the age of 85. She was deified by her grandson Claudius in CE 41, and lived (BCE 58-CE 29).

Until ca. 23 Queen Regnant Candace of The Meroe (Sudan)
Sudan was concord by the Romans.

30-40 Joint Princess Regnant Helena of Adiabene (North Iraq)
Ruled jointly with husband Bazeus Monobazus. The rulers of the territory had converted to Judaism.

35 Queen Sivali of Sri Lanka
She succeded to the throne upon the death of her older brother, king Culabhaya, but after four months her cousin, Ilangaga dethroned her and and raised the parasol of sovereignty)in the capital.

35-65 Queen Regnant Candice of Meroe (Sudan)


39-41 Queen Regnant Gepaepyris of the Bosporan Kingdom  (Georgia)
She succeeded husband, Aspurgos, the widower of Queen Dynamis as ruler of the Kingdom in the Crimean by the Black Sea.

39-43 Joint Reigning Queen Trúng Trac of Parts of Vietnam
39-43 Joint Reigning Queen Trúng Nhi of Parts of Vietnam
The two sisters lead a defending army against the Chinese occupation-forces, they ruled over a territory until they were defeated. They are today seen as national heroes and known as Hai Ba Trung (The Trung Sisters).

Ca. 40-70 Joint Queen Regnant Shakilat of the Nabataean Kingdom 70-76 Regent Dowager Queen of Nabatea (Jordan)
The daughter of Aretas IV, she reigned jointly with her husband and brother, king Maliku III also known as Malichus and after his death she was regent for son, Rabbel II. The Nabataeans were an Arabian people, occupying Edom, southern Transjordan, and South Eastern Syria, with its capital at Petra.

Ca. 40-60 Queen Regnant Cartimandra of The Brigants (Brigantia) (United Kingdom)
Brigantia was a British tribe in Yorkshire. She signed a treaty with the Romans, placing herself under their protection. Her tribe was opposed to this treaty and there were several revolt. In 48, she asked for and received Roman help in fighting the rebellion. Cartimandua's consort, Venutius attempted to have her overthrown but he was unsuccessful after the Romans came to her aid. For a while Cartimandua ruled jointly with Venutius, but when he made another attempt to overthrow her, she took Vellocatus, a royal armor-bearer, as her consort. She sent Vellocatus to fight Venutius and, again, asked for Roman help. Ca.69, Cartimandua "retired" and in 71, Rome annexed Brigantia after they easily defeated Venutius, Vellocatus and the Brigantes in battle.

Ca. 50-60 Queen Regnant Garsemot Kandake of Ethiopia
Her relation to the other rulers is not known.

Around 50 Military Leader Hau Mu-Lan in China
In the Mid-first century she became one of the country's most famous warriors when, disguised as a man, she took her father's place in battle for 12 years. She was celebrated in plays and poems. Her commanding officer was so impressed with her military skills that he offered his daughter in marriage to what he thought to be his greatest male warrior. 

Around 52 Co-Ruler Princess Julia Berenice of Judea (Israel)
She was Daughter of Herod Agrippa I, who ruled Judea from 37-57, and shared the Chaleis throne and the business of the kingdom in Atonal and Taconites in Southern Syria with her brother Agrippa II, who succeed their father in 44. They lived together causing scandal among the Jews. She continued to live with him after his brief marriage to another eastern Princess. Emperor Titus of Rome, 13 years her junior became infatuated with her, and wanted to marry her, which scandalized the court and forced him to abandon her. 

54-56 Regent Augusta Iulia Agrippina of the Roman Empire
She was the younger of three daughters of Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder. She was 34 years old when she married emperor Claudius, who was nearing the end of his life. During the last five years of Claudius’ reign, she grew more and more powerful. Her son Nero succeeded her husband at the age of 17 and could not legally rule in his own name. Agrippina acted as his regent and was a powerful controlling influence on him even after he came of age. After about a year, Nero moved her out of the imperial palace. She began to denounce her son more and more in public. After the tension between mother and son grew to a critical level, Nero determined to be rid of her, and had her killed. She lived (16-59).

Around 60 Queen Regnant Phytodoris of Colchis (Georgia)  
Colchis was an ancient country on the eastern shore of the Black Sea and in the Caucasus region. Centered about the fertile valley of the Phasis River (the modern Rion), Colchis corresponds to the present-day region of Mingrelia in Georgia. She was a vassal of the Roman Empire. 

60-61 Queen Regnant Boudicca of the Iceni-Tribe in Norfolk (United Kingdom)
The Iceni was a people who lived in the present-day counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. She led a rebellion against the Roman authorities as a result of their mistreatment of her family and people after the death of her husband, Prasutagus, who may have been a Roman client-ruler, in 60 AD. She and other disaffected tribes, sacked the cities of Colchester, St. Albans and London and, it is estimated, massacred approximately 70.000 Roman soldiers and civilians in the course of the glorious, but ill-fated rebellion. The rebels were finally defeated in battle by a force led by the Roman governor of Britain, Suetonius Paulinus, after which she took her own life by ingesting poison together with her two daughters, Camorra and Tasca or, according to legend, Voada and Voadicia. She lived (15-61).

Around 60 Military Leader Queen Aife of Alba in Scotland (Uinted Kingdom)
In Celtic mythology she was a female warrior from Alba. She gave her lover, Cuchulainn, his spear, Gae Bulg. They had one son, Connla.

62-85 Queen Regnant Amanishipalata of Meroe (Nubia) (Sudan)
Marching at the head of her army, Amanirenas reached the strategic city of Qasr Ibrim, south of the Egyptian city of Aswan. There she confronted the Roman general Petronius, who told her that Emperor Augustus was willing to lay aside the arms if Amanirenas would negotiate a settlement with him to which she agreed. She sent her ambassadors to the Greek Island of Samos to meet with the representatives of Rome. 

Ca. 71-90 Queen Regnant Gamilat of Nabataea of the Nabataean Kingdom (Jordan)
She reigned jointly with king ar-Rabil II also known as Rabbel Soter. They were client monarch of Rome, (1st cent. BCE-1st cent. A.D). Women played a significant role in Nabatean society.

88-97 Regent Dowager Empress Tou Hsien of China  
Also known was Dou, she took over the regency for Liv Chao (Hedi) (79-88-106). She led the court audiences (linchao), and her brother Dou Xian took over the governmental affairs. An eunuch of Emperor Hedi called Zheng Zhong finally destroyed the power of the Dou clan and grasped the power himself. They belonged to the Later Hou and Eastern Han Dynasty, which was able to keep China united for about 200 years.

105-106 Regent The Dowager Empress of China
After the death of Emperor He, she announced that he had left two young sons who had been brought up outside the palace, but that the elder brother, Liu Sheng, was suffering from an incurable illness and was unfit to rule. She therefore placed the younger, Liu Long, upon the throne, and even when he died a few months later, aged just over a year old, she again passed over Liu Sheng in favour of Liu You, a nephew of Emperor He, later known as Emperor An (reigned 106-125). Inevitably, much of the information formed an intimate secret of the state, and all the decisions and announcements were made on the authority of the Dowager alone.

105-21 Regent Dowager Empress Deng of China
Her son, Aiu Long (Aidi) (105-06) was only 13 at his throne accession, and together with her brother Deng Zhi, she controlled him, who was nominal ruler during the Han-Dynasty period. Later she placed her grandson, Shang, on the throne when he was barely 100 days old, despite having two older brothers who were born from a consort. She also raised Liu Hu, the twelve-year old cousin of Shangdi and future Emperor Han Aidi, in the palace as the successor to the throne as insurance against the baby emperor's death. Liu Hu ascended to the throne when Shang passed away in 106; however, she still remained as the regent. A decree by her during this reign shed light on bureaucratic inefficiency. Also influential during the reign of her grandson. When she died her most prominent relatives chose suicide. She lived (80-121).

112-? Regent Dowager Queen Gespaepyris of Pontus (Turkey)
Gespaepyris was born as Princess of Thrace and ruled on behalf of her son Mithridates VI. in the kingdom in Asia Minor.

114 Queen Regnant Yasovati of Kashmir (India)
The contemporary sources says abut her; "The ruins of Martanda and other old temples are even now called 'Pandawa Houses' and Kalhana says it was at Lord Krishna's advice that Yasovati was made Queen regent of Kashmir after Krishna had defeated King Damodara, Yasovati's husband".   

120-25 Politically Influential Empress Yan of China
After Dowager Empress Deng's death, she dominated the court together with the eunuchs Li Run and Jiang Jing, and her brother Yan Xian.  

130-? Reigning Dowager Queen Laodike II Nysa of Cappadocia (Turkey)
After the death of her husband, Ariarathes V, she poisoned 5 stepsons and ruled in the name of her own son.

135-49 Regent Dowager Queen Ghadana of Iberia (Georgia)
The widow of King Pharasmenes II Kveli (ca. 116-32), she reigned for grandson Pharasmenes III (135-185) after the death of her son Rhadamiste I (or Ghadam). She was daughter of King Sanatroukes of Armenia (b. ca. 100).

144-50 Regent Dowager Empress Liang Na of China
When her husband, Emperor Shun died, she assumed the regency for his only son, the infant Emperor,Chong, who died the following year. In these circumstances an empress-dowager of Han acquired even greater power, for she had undisputed authority to choose the next emperor from any of the male members of the imperial family. The precedent for this dated back to Former Han, but had been decisively confirmed by the Dowager Deng in 105 and 106. Three weeks she choosed the 8 year old Liu Zuan, a great-great grandson of Emperor Zhang, who also died after one year on the throne and Liu Zhi was placed upon the throne. For the next few years she held formal control of the government in association with her brother Liang Ji. The historians praised her for her devotion to duty in the difficult times which followed the second great rebellion of the Qiang people in the northwest and a series of frontier disturbances with the Xiongnu of the north. Inside China, reflecting these troubles, there were frequent small-scale rebellions, increased feuding amongst local gentry and a gradual alienation from the imperial regime. Apparently she appointed good officials, sent out troops to deal with disorder, and all the empire was settled by her efforts. Emperor Huan came of age in 148, but she maintained her regency, on the grounds of the disturbances in the empire. She formally relinquished her office in the first month of 150, and she died a few weeks later. (She lived 116-150).

Around 150 Joint Queen Regnant Ulfan of Elymias (Iraq)
She was joint ruler with Orodes IV of the Helleno-Iranian kingdom located in what is now southeastern Iraq and the Zagros Mountains of Iran. Its name is a Hellenization of "Elam", an ancient state in roughly the same region. Its capital was Susa, the center of the Achaemenid Persian kings.

168-72 Regent Princess Dou Shi of China 
Ruled in the name of her son Liu Hong (168-89). During the end of the Han Dynasty, the rulers became more and more dissolute. But more importantly, they were unable to deal with two factors: a population shift from the Yellow River in the north to the Yangzi in the south; and they simply could not control barbarian tribal raiders from the north, which were one reason why people were moving to the south. Eventually, in 220, the center had lost so much control to the provinces that it collapsed (a small rebellion in the north helped), plunging China into 350 years of chaos and disunity.

180-90 Queen Regnant Somâ of Fu-Nan (Cambodia and Vietnam)
Soma succeeded her father, and ruled over a kingdom which extending over much of present-day Cambodia and southern Vietnam from the 1st to the 6th centuries. It owed its prosperity to its position on the great trade route between India and China and subsequent Khmer dynasties viewed Funan as the state from which they were descended. The name is a transliteration of the ancient Khmer form of the word phnom (= hill).

Ca. 188-248 Queen Himiko of Yamataikoku (Japan)
卑弥呼 is also referred to as Pimiko, she was ruler of an ancient state-like formation thought to have been located either in the Yamato region or in northern Kyushu of present-day Japan. Few records are available and little is known about her, and the location of Yamataikoku is the subject of a great, often emotionally charged, debate that has been raging since the late Edo period. According to an ancient Chinese history book, Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms she was a shaman who controlled people through her paranormal abilities. The Nihonshoki, an old Japanese history book, notes that Himiko was actually Empress Jingū Kogo, the mother of Emperor Ōjin, but historians disagree. Some speculate that she is conflated with Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess. The Chinese chronicles book from 297 refers to the inhabitants of the Japanese islands simply as the Wa, literally, "The Little People", and dscribes a fragmented political structure of more than a hundred or more separate tribes, nominally ruled by a female shaman. According to an ancient Korean history book, Samguk Sagi, she sent an embassy to King Adalla of Silla in May 172. However, Chinese history books record Silla as having been established on 356, which casts doubt on this claim. Himiko never married and it is recorded that her younger brother assisted her as a political advisor. She is said to have had one thousand female servants and to have never appeared in public. There are indications that a tribal king, posthumously now known as Emperor Shujin, raised military host against her or her successor - reportedly another shamaness, her niece or other relative, ultimately conquering their position and establishing male rule with headquarters in central Japan. Himiko may have been a chinese corruption of himemiko, princess-priestess, or lady shaman. The name is said to mean "Sun Daughter" and there are also assessments that she is the real person upon whom the myth of sun goddess Amaterasu is built. Also Known as Yamatohime no Mikoto (d. 248)

189 Politically Influential Empress Dowager He Mou of Han China
She was the chief consort of Emperor Ling of Han Dynasty China. Along with her half-brother He Jin, she was able to temporarily dominate power at the imperial court after the death of Emperor Ling in 189, during the reign of her son Liu Bian (b. 176), they presided over the imperial court. Throughout much of the year, she acted as balancing force between the enunuch faction, led by Jian Shuo and Zhang Rang, and the official faction, led by He Jin and Yuan Shao. The climax of the struggles came in September, when He Jin was assassinated by the eunuchs at the imperial palace. In the chaotic fighting which followed, she lost all the members of her clan of political importance, including her brother He Miao and mother, the Lady of Wuyang. Her son was deposed in favour of his younger half-brother Liu Xie. Empress Dowager He was accused of the murder of Empress Dowager Dong and ordered to move to the Yongle Palace, outside the main palace complex. She was poisoned there by order of Dong Zhuo on 30 September 189. She was originally from a butcher's family from Wan county in central China. 

190-203 Politically Influential Lady Wu of Wu (China)
She was the chief consort of Emperor Ling of Han Dynasty China. Along with A master swordsman, she was the advisor of her oldest son, Sun Ce, and helped in directing military and state affairs. When Sun Ce died in 200, she asked the ministers to support her second son, Sun Quan and since he was still young, she assisted in administering the army and state. He ruled 200-222 as Wu Wang (King of Wu) and 222-252 as Emperor of the Wu Dynasty, and when he was proclaimed emperor, he conferred the posthumous title of Empress Wulie on her and the title of of Emperor Wulie Huangdi on his father. Mother of 5 sons and 1 daughter. (d. 203).

193-217 Joint Ruler Iulia Domna of the Roman Empire
She was one of the most powerful people in the Roman Empire. While her emperor husband, Septimius Severus, was fighting rivals, pursuing rebels, and subduing revolts in the far corners of the empire, she was left to administer the vast Roman Empire. She played one powerful general or senator against another, while keeping herself from falling into the many traps set by political enemies at court. Caracalla had murdered his brother Geta in her private apartments even as the younger son sought protection in her arms. After Macrinus had murdered Caracalla and seized the throne in 217, he sent her away from Antiochia after it was reported that Julia was inciting troops to rebel against him. At this time, she was believed to be about fifty years old and was suffering from a painful illness, probably cancer of the breast. Rather than face exile and the humiliation of being reduced to the status of a private citizen, she decided to commit suicide by starving herself.

200-69 Regent Dowager Empress Jingo-Kogo of Japan
A semi-legendary regent, descending from the legendary Empress Jummu (Sanohiko), she was daughter of Prince Okinaga no Sukune and married to Chuai-Tenno, who ruled (192-200). He died on the way on an expedition to conquer Korea and though she was pregnant, she went on to Korea and brought the kings of Koryo, Pekche and Silla under her suzerainty. She returned to Japan and gave birth to Prince Homuda, the future Ojin-Tenno. She refused to ascend to the throne, but ruled as regent. According to the Korean historians the invasion took place in 346 and she died 380. She was succeeded by son, and lived (169-269).

Ca. 216 Queen Regnant Wakana of Ethiopia
Ruled for 2 days before she was deposed.

218-222 (†) Joint De-facto Ruler Iulia Soaemias Bassiana of the Roman Empire
She plotted together with her mother, Julia Maesa, to substitute the ursurpor, Macrinus, by her son Varius Avitus Bassianus (Heliogabalus) (203-218-222). As the emperor's mother, with the title Iulia Soaemias Augusta, she played a great role in government and administration and was infact the de facto ruler of Rome, since her son was concerned mainly with religious matters. Their rule was not popular and soon discontent arose. Julia Soaemias and Heliogabalus were killed by the Praetorian Guard in 222, and she was declared public enemy and her name erased from all records. She lived (ca. 180-222).

218-222 Joint De-facto Ruler Iulia Maesa of the Roman Empire
222-225/26 (†) Joint Regent of the Roman Empire
First she plotted together with her daughter, Julia Soaemias Bassiana to have her grandson Elagabaleus placed on the throne and later she was joint regent with her other daughter, Julia Masaea and her son, Alexander Servus. She was sister of Julia Domna and closely related to the Imperial family and grew up in Syria.

219-245 Queen Wu Mu of Hanzhong (China)
Also known as Lady Wu her husband the warlord Prince Liu Bei, named her as Queen of Hanzhong. It was period of many uprisings and various Emperors. When he became Emperor in 221, she was named Empress to serve the ancestral temple and be mother over the empire. His succesor, Liu Shan, named her as the Empress Dowager. She (d. 245).

222-228 (†) Regent Dowager Empress Iulia Mamaea of the Roman Empire
She was behind the plot that ousted her sister, Julia Soaemias Bassiana, and her son and had her infant son, son Alexander Servus, placed on the throne. She ruled together her mother, Julia Mamesa and 16 senatorsm but as they were unable to defend the empire from the attacking Germans, the Army killed both her and her son.

Ca. 222-248 Army Leader Trieu Au (Trieu Thi Trinh) Vietnam
Sometimes referred to as the "Vietnamese Joan of Arc", she was a rebel leader at the time when Vietnam was a territory of China. She led an army from the mountains which won more than 30 major battles against the Chinese. She then set up her own administration in the freed territory, which she kept independent for several months. She was defeated in 248 and committed suicide. Also known as Ba Trieu – Lady Trieu.

238-41 Regent N.N. of the Roman Empire
Her name is not known, but she was the daugter of Emperor Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus (Gordian I) and married to a senator, whose name is also not known. After Emperor Maximus I Thrax was murdered, her 13 year old son, Emperorr Gordianus III (225-38-44) was placed on the throne with her in charge of the regency.

Ca. 250-66 Queen Regnant Toyo of Japan
Succeeded her relative Himiko. In 266 she was mentioned in the Chinese annals for sending an envoy to China.

Around 256/74 Queen Regnant of Vakataka in Bhadramukhas (India)
The wife of Rudrasena II of Bhadramukhas (256-274), she ruled independently for 20 years.

266-283 Queen Regnant Maleqorobar of Meroe (Sudan)
Also known as Malegereabar.

268-71 Queen Regnant Zenobia of Palmyra (Syria)
Following the assassination of her husband, King Odenathus, in which she is believed to have been implicated, Zenobia succeeded to power as regent for their young son. Within three years, she extended her rule to all of Syria, to Egypt, and to most of Asia Minor, ostensibly in alliance with Rome. In 271, however, because of Zenobia's aggressiveness in the East, the Roman emperor Lucius Domitius Aurelian took up arms against her. After gaining control of nearly all of Zenobia's domain, Aurelian besieged the city of Palmyra. It fell, and Zenobia was captured and taken to Rome. Later she was given an estate at Tibur (now Tivoli, Italy), where she spent the rest of her life in pensioned retirement. 

275 Sole Regent Dowager Empress Ulipia Serverina of The Roman Empire (March-September)
Reigned alone after her husband, Aurelianus' death until Tacitus was named emperor.

Around 280 Mahrani Regnant Prabhavati Gupta of Magadha (India)
Her Poona plate mentions her as the daughter of Chandra Gupta II and Kubera Naga, who ruled independently and issued charters without the sanction of any extraneous higher atithority. Though not much evidence is available, from the available records it is understood that Sri Gupta could be the first King of the Gupta lineage who at the time ruled in the Bengal. She was married to Sri Gupta (240-280).

290-300 De facto Ruler Empress Jia Nanfeng of China
She made all the made all the important decisions for the state and effectively ruled the country from the acession of her mental deficient husband, Emperor Sima Zhong. She eliminated any who appeared to be a threat to her position, including a rival faction within the imperial family. In addition, her victims even included the Crown Prince of Jin. In 300, the King of Zhao led a coup against her, and she was killed along with several others in her faction, and Emperor Zhong was placed under house arrest. Not long after putting down this insurrection and regaining power, the local kings began to fight amongst each another.

300-308 Queen Regnant Patrapeameni of Meroe (Sudan)
Also known as Nahidemani. The Meroeans developed a unique form of art uniting styles from Black Africa and Mediterranean Egypt.

308-320 Queen Regnant Amanipilade of Meroe (Sudan)
The kingdom declined under attacks by little known invaders, desert nomads, called the Blemyes and Nobatae by around 200. Meroe was finally taken over by Axum. 

310-32? Regent The Dowager Queen of Persia (Iran)
Her husband Hormozd II died before the birth of their son Shahpur II the Great (310-79), who was elected king before his birth, or possibly as an infant after her brother-in-law Adarnarseh had been on the throne for a short while. During her son's minority reign Persia had a weak government of regents and suffered raids from its neighbors, particularly the Arabs who invaded southern Persia. Rome, however, which had gained some of the western Persian cities in Mesopotamia during the reign of Narse, Shahpur's grandfather, left Persia in peace.

Around 317 Queen Regnant Une' B'alam of Tikal (Guatemala)
The state was an important Classic-Age Mayan city-state located in northwestern Guatemala. Her name means Baby Jaguar, and she was succeeded by king K'inich Muwaan Jol.

Ca. 325-ca.34 Queen Regnant Zaela Ahyawa of Ethiopia
Also known as Ahyawa Sefya or Eguala Anbasa, she succeeded her husband and converted to christianity 327.

325-28 Regent Dowager Empress Yu Wenjun of Eastern Jin (China)

Joint regent with two others for Sima Yan (321-25-42) of the Eastern Dong (Jin), in a period which saw a severe fragmentation of central authority, as northern barbarians succeeded in laying waste to much of China, and establishing their own states in turn.

343-380 Jingû-Kōgō Tennō of Japan
The widow of Chuai Tenno. In 366 she led a Japanese invasion of Korea. Empress Jingo was pregnant when she invaded Korea and therefore had to have adjustable armour made. She possily reigned 201-269.

343-357, 364-365 and 373-76 Regent Dowager Empress Chu Suanzi of the Eastern Jin Kingdom (China)
When her husband, Sima Yue, died after 1 year as Emperor Kang, her 1 year old son Mu succeeded with her as regent. During the next years many of Later Zhao's southern provinces switched their allegiance to Jin, but not firmly so and a number of military campains followed. In 357, as Emperor Mu turned 14 and she officially stripped herself of her role as regent, and moved to Chongde Palace, which would be her residence for the rest of her life. But 4 years later, her son died without heirs, and she named cousin Prince Sima Pi of Langye as Emperor Ai. In 364 he was poisoned by pills given by magicians he was taking trying to seek immortality and could not handle matters of state. She again served as regent. After he died sonless in 365, she ordered that his younger brother Sima Yi succeed him (as Emperor Fei). After some years he was deposed and replaced by Emperor Jianwen, who died in 372, and when he was succeeded by his son Emperor Xiaowu, she was persuaded to become regent again until he turned 14 in In 376. For the rest of her life, she was again referred to as Empress Dowager Chongde. She lived (324-384).

349 Regent Empress Dowager Liu of the Kingdom of Later Zhao (China)
After her father, the last Han Zhao emperor, Liu Yao, was captured by Later Zhao's founding emperor Shi Le in 329, she fled together with her brothers Crown Prince Liu Xi and Prince Liu Yin of Nanyang from the capital Chang'an to Shanggui. Soon after her brothers were defeated and killed and she was captured by Zhang Chai. In 348 Emperor Shi Hu picked their son as his Heir and she was named Empress. When the Emperor grew ill the following year, he appointed his two sons as joint regents for her son, Shi Shi, but when he died she took over as regent for her son, holding power jointly with her husband. She tried to placate the sons of the later Emperor giving them high posts, but instead they marched on the capital. She then tried to placate them by offering them the office of regent and the nine bestowments, but instead he executed her husband, and then forged her to sign an edict deposing her son. She was given the title of Princess Dowager of Qiao, but soon both she and her son were executed. She lived (318-349).

Ca. 370-80 Queen Regnant Mavia of the Saracens (Egypt)
Succeeded her husband as head of the Bedouin tribe, which lived in the area around the Sinai Peninsular. She organized raids against Rome's eastern frontier into Phoenicia and Palestine. Her troops defeated a Roman army and she made peace only on the condition that a hermit named Moses was appointed Bishop of her tribe. She married her daughter to a Roman commander in chief. She is probably the same person described as Mawi, Queen of Syria and possibly she was from Ghassar, an Arab Kingdom in in the Sinai Peninsular. 

Around 371 Arabian Leader Mauriya of the Nabatan (Arabia)
The Nabatan was an old people in Arabia, and is believed to have evented the basis for the Arab script.

375-83 Joint Ruler Dowager Empress Iustiana of the Roman Empire
383-? Regent
Joint ruler with son Gratianus and regent for Valentianus II (383-92), who ruled the Western division of the Empire, encompassing Rome itself together with Italy, Gaul, Britain, Iberia, and northwestern Africa, though the state was already disintegrating faced with the babaric invasions.

378 Queen Regnant Zarmandukht of Greater Armenia
Her name is also spelled Zarmandux, she was widow of King Pap, who was known to have been gay and was killed on the orders of the Byzantine general Terent. In the first instance his cousin, Varazdat was king until 378. She took power, but from 378 until his death in 385, Manuel Mamikonean, was the real ruler of Armenia. He ruled as a "trustee" of the monarchy in the name of her son, and kept both of them in the king's place and causing them to circulate around in honor. He nourished her two sons Arshak and Vagharsha as his foster-children and honoured her.

378 De-facto Regent Dowager Empress Domnica of The Byzantine Empire (Covering what is now Greece and Turkey)
She held the City of Byzanz after the death of her husband, Valens and defended the city against the attacks of the Goths, before the arrival of the successor, Theodosios.

390 Queen Regnant Prabhavati Gupta of the Deccan Region (India)
As ruler of the Deccan region, she introduced the Gupta culture of northern India to the Vakata Kingdom. (Probably the same as in 280).

Ca. 390-410 Regent Dowager Queen Sita Mahadevi of Vakatakas (India)
After the death of her husband, Rudrasena II who died five years after coming to the throne, she took over the reins for their under-age sons, and had coins struck in her name. She was daughter of Chandra Gupta II. In the early part of the Christian Era when Bharasivas were suzerains, we have the seal of Mahadevi Rudramati, the last royal document of the Vakatakas before the state virtually became a part of the Gupta empire.

449/50 Augusta Justa Grata Honoria of the Roman Empire (in the West)
The sister of Valentin III, she acted in her capacity as Augusta.

400-04 De-facto Ruler Empress Eudoxia of The Byzantine Empire (Covering what is now Greece and Turkey)
She was a significant figure in the government because she had the ear of her husband Emperor Arcadius of the East Roman Empire until her own death in 404. She was strong and strident, dominating her weak and passive husband.

414-55 De-facto Ruler Augusta Pulchera of The Byzantine Empire (Covering what is now Greece and Turkey)
At the age of 15 Princess Aelia Pulcheria was crowned Augusta and assumed a dominant role in guiding the affairs of state. In 420/22 she may have organized the Byzantine campaign against Persia, she replaced the emperor as director of power, but the ultimate power resided with her brother. In the mid-420s she engaged in a power struggle with her sister-in-law, Eudokia, and Pulchera was forced into semi-retirement. She established herself as a holy virgin dedicated to God, and this gave her access into the altar to receive the communion with priests and deacons, something normally barred to women. When her brother died in 450 she took control of the government of the Eastern Empire, and married Marcian, Army Chief of Staff, and named him co-Emperor. She spoke Greek and Latin and had a deep interest in medicine and natural science lived (399-453).

421-442/443 Politically influential Empress Athenais-Eudokia of The Byzantine Empire (Covering what is now Greece and Turkey)
In 423 her husband,  emperor Theodosius II gave her title of Augusta. She fought for power and influence over emperor with her sister Pulcheria, was very well educated and was involved in the founding of an university in Constantinople. 442/443-460 she was in exile in Jerusalem. The daughter of the philosopher Leonciushe, she died in 460.

423-50 Regent Dowager Empress Galla Placidia of the Roman Empire (Covering Italy, Spain, France and Northern Africa)
She was in Rome at the time of its sack by Alaric and the Visigoths, and after Alaric’s death in 414, she married his brother and successor as king of the Visigoths, Athaulf. After his death, Placidia returned home in 416 to marry Constantius, who was made co-augustus in the West in 421 and became the Roman emperor Constantius III. He died of pleurisy after a reign of only seven months. In 423 her brother Emperor Honorius died and Galla Placidia was mad