

In 217 B.C., Arsinoë III and her husband went with 55,000 soldiers to fight against the Hellenistic Kingdom of Seleucids. His young wife, however, was far more serious, proving why she became one of the greatest ancient female rulers.Īrsinoë served as queen from 223-203 B.C., and was most famous for leading troops in successful battles during the Fourth Syrian War. He wanted the power, not the job, though, and was known as a Ptolemaic party boy. Ptolemy IV wanted the throne so badly that he killed his mother and brother. Like other women warriors of Ancient Egypt, Arsinoë III married her brother, the pharaoh. Her successor was intimidated by her popularity, erasing her image from statues and other memorials in hopes of undoing the high esteem in which her memory held. She left a legacy of improved infrastructure and trade routes. She organized at least four military campaigns to the Kingdom of Kush, and it’s thought she traveled with her troops and gave orders - becoming one of the most recognizable female pharaohs of ancient Egypt. Hatshepsut learned foreign suppression from her mother, and it provided Egypt with a source of wealth. After one rebellion in modern-day Sudan, Ahmose called for all participants to be massacred except for one of the chief’s sons, who was brought back to Egypt as a captive. Ahmose had a take-no-prisoners mentality when she ordered troops to quash uprisings. Hatshepsut and her mother, Queen Ahmose, ruled together in the early years. When Hatshepsut was widowed at 16, she claimed the right to rule was hers, as a daughter to one pharaoh and widow to another.

Many scholars believed he was the product of incest, which helped explain why he was ill for most of his young life. Hatshepsut was born the daughter of a pharaoh, and married around the age of 12 or 13 to her brother. Others held the title for just a short period or served as regents on behalf of their young sons. She was also the first woman to lead for decades. She was considered the second woman to hold the title of pharaoh, not queen. In 1472 B.C., Hatshepsut ascended to the throne, ruling for 22 years. She pacified Upper Egypt and expelled its rebels.” Pharaoh Hatshepsut She brought back its fugitives and gathered its dissidents together. She looked after its soldiers and protected them. One inscription remembers her legacy and explains why she was fly-worthy upon burial: “The princess, the king’s mother, the noblewoman who knows things and takes care of Egypt. Her leadership brought order to a land in turmoil - unifying her people and pushing out the Hyksos. When her husband, the pharaoh (who was also her brother), died in battle against the Hyksos, an enemy considered to be foreign invaders, Ahhotep I allegedly seized control of Egypt and its military. The flies also represented the tenacity of biting insects, meant to honor a military leader with no quit in her.Īn honor rarely bestowed upon a queen, Ahhotep I earned that distinction on the battlefield. The fly pendants were large, roughly the size of a hand, and they symbolized the shooing of enemies. around the age of 30, she was buried with a necklace with three fly-shaped pendants - a military honor. When this Egyptian queen died in 1530 B.C.


Here are four women warriors who fought for Egypt. At times, political and military leadership even belonged to women, who became strong, well-regarded female rulers. Women warriors led their troops into battle, strategizing and inspiring. Who Are the Female Rulers That Influenced Ancient Egypt?
