In the world of antiquity, proportionately few women had either power or prestige. The position of Egyptian women as we now understand it was within the limits of a male-dominated world. Although most admired in the traditional roles of wife and mother, Egyptian women in many ways suffered far fewer restrictions than women in other contemporary cultures. Perhaps more importantly, some compensation for lack of

In conclusion, although Cleopatra was a remarkable woman and leader in her time she should not be described as unique because there are other like-minded women who through fair means, or foul, attempted to achieve goals and status that were not the norm in their particular society. Women such as Cleopatra, Boudicca and Lü were all powerful in their own right but their degree of power and the purpose for which they used their power differ because of the extent to which their society enforced certain customs, laws and traditions along with their attitude towards women.

In contrast, eastern countries such as China were not recognized for immense women’s rights. China had strict protocol on the actions of women. Women were best known for being inferior to men so it was not often that a woman would step out into the ranks and rule alone as empress. A somewhat recognized empress in ancient China was empress Lü, wife of Emperor Liu Bang. In 195 B.C., emperor Liu died from an arrow wound. “Theoretically, the emperor designated his successor from among the boys born to his empress and his numerous concubines: the eldest was not automatically chosen.” (Hyslop et al, 1988: p147) The wish of emperor Liu did not please his widow, empress Lu. She was determined to ensure that her son, “who was neither the first-born nor the late emperor’s favourite, succeeded him. To accomplish this, she had to dispose of both the designated heir and his concubine mother” (Hyslop et al, 1988: p147) During her reign, empress Lü wished to rule alongside her relatives in her own name. “Empress Lü ennobled several of her kinsmen and made a bid to supplement the Liu family with her own…” (Hyslop et al, 1988: p147) Lü died 15 years later. Liu’s followers regrouped and disposed of Lü’s relations, leaving the throne open to another of Liu Bang’s son, Emperor Wen. Unlike Cleopatra, Lü used her power to appoint others, her son and relatives, as rulers. The fact Lü appointed males to dominate was completely opposing the reign of Boudicca and, in some ways, the reign of Cleopatra. The tale of empress Lü proves Chinese women were unable to gain extensive power and make influential decisions.

It is notably possible to find parallels between the reign of Cleopatra and the reign of Queen Boudicca, widow of Icenian king Prasutagus. Prasutagus, king of the Iceni, made an alliance with Rome so that he would be allowed to rule his territory. When he died in 60 A.D., Tacitus, an ancient writer, reports that he made the emperor and his own two daughters heirs, hoping, thereby, to placate Rome. Such a will was not in accordance with Celtic law; nor did it satisfy the new emperor, “for centurions plundered Prasutagus' house, whipped his widow, Boudicca, and raped their daughters.” (Athena Review Vol.1, No.1, http://www. athenapub.com/tacitus1.htm: 22nd August 2003) Similar to Cleopatra’s outrage of being tipped off the throne, ancient writer, Tacitus, explains in The Annals by Tacitus of Boudicca’s rebellion after the Roman officials had seized the entire kingdom, revoking la

Some topics in this essay:
EM Forster, Liu Bang, Eventually Boudicca, Cleopatra Lü, King Ptolemy’s, Cleopatra Macedonian, Vol1 No1, Girl’s Upbringing, SOCIETIES Research, Tacitus Boudicca, ancient world, august 2003, egyptian women, mark antony, empress lü, et al, athena review vol1, emperor liu, hyslop et, review vol1, al 1988 p147, 1988 p147, review vol1 no1, et al 1988, 22nd august 2003,