Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations, these lands flourished as early as the 4th century BC. However, it is worth remembering another fact - in ancient Egypt, women had high rights for those times. And some of them were able to become pharaohs.

In fact, there were quite long periods of time when women ruled this country. And they did it very successfully, coping with most tasks, and the courtiers fully recognized their power.

Women's Rights in Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt surprised other nations to many. And in particular, the status of women in society. The women of this country could inherit from their parents, had the right to own property, and could do business or production in the same way as men. They could pay bills on their own behalf, conclude contracts on their own, and perform a host of other tasks that the same Greek women could not do. Egyptian women did not require the permission of a husband or father in many fields of activity. They were independent business owners of any scale, could be captains of cargo ships, scribes and teachers of science. Women from aristocratic families could do more, they became judges and officials, ambassadors, representatives of their field. Egyptian women were not allowed only into the field of medicine and the army, although these allegations are doubtful.After all, Queen Yakhhotep received two golden orders of the Fly in the tomb, which they gave out only for victory on the battlefield.

The queens often helped the pharaoh, becoming assistants and counselors, they could participate in government. When the pharaoh was dying, his wife could take on the burden of governing the country - until the moment the son grows up, or even fully. Looking at the history of this great country, you can see many interesting examples proving this.

Women pharaohs

Nitocris or Neutikert - in 2200 BC

The beautiful Nate, as her name is translated, remained at the head of Egypt for twelve years, successfully coping with the burden of government in a huge country. It was a calm period without popular uprisings and wars, people were pleased with the current state of things. Civil strife and the struggle for the throne began later, after the death of a successful mistress.

Nefrussebek - 1763 - 1759 BC

Nefrussebek ruled for several more than 4 years, becoming not only the Pharaoh, but also the High Priestess, as well as the Commander-in-Chief, in whose title she made a trip to Nubia, which ended in success. To end the local conflict in the country, she married one of the governors of the nome, that is, the governor, but after marriage he hired a murderer who successfully encroached on the life of the queen. As it turned out, she ruled alone, not allowing her husband to power. Of course, he inherited the rights to the throne, but he could not keep them. Coups and civil wars began, which dragged on for 250 years.

Hatshepsut approx. 1489-1468 BC

She was a strong woman who remained on the throne even with a male heir. She was crowned just like a man, she took the name Maatkar, and even wore an artificial beard made of real hair. The period of her reign was happy, agriculture was actively developing in Egypt, peasants received money for free, and abandoned cities were rebuilt again. You could even get a loan from the state to buy slaves. An expedition was sent to Punt - this is the territory of modern Somalia, about which little was known. The empress conducted several military campaigns, which ended in success. Under her auspices, many historical sights have been created that have survived to the present day, and she also created a system of succession of power, which made it possible to do without any hesitation in this matter.

Tausert approx. 1194-1192 BC

This is the childless wife of Pharaoh Seti II, after the death of which the second son came to power. But after 5 years he died, and Tausert came to power, who ruled for 2-7 years, the data vary. These were turbulent years, civil wars were going on, and even the reason for the death of this woman remains unclear.

Cleopatra 47-30 years. BC

At this point, Egypt became so Hellenized that Cleopatra can hardly be called a Pharaoh. This is not the most successful rule of a woman, during which Egypt lost to Rome and finally obeyed it. But still, this is part of the story.

Thus, women really ruled Egypt, this was in the history of the country. And many of them ruled successfully.