10 Fascinating Women from Ancient History

History is filled with trailblazing women who defied expectations, commanded empires, and shaped civilisation. From fearless warriors to visionary rulers, their impact endures and leaves an indelible mark on history.

So, who were these extraordinary figures? That’s what we’re here to unearth. To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March, we’re digging into the lives of ten remarkable women from ancient history.

The world’s first known named author, Enheduanna, was a high priestess, poet, and political figure of ancient Sumer in the 23rd century BC. The daughter of Akkadian king Sargon, she served as the high priestess of the moon god Nanna in Ur, using her writing to reinforce both religious devotion and royal authority.

Her most famous work, The Exaltation of Inanna, is a hymn praising the goddess Inanna while also reflecting on Enheduanna’s own exile and return to power. Her writings were deeply personal yet politically charged, securing Akkadian influence over Sumerian religious traditions.

Her legacy extended far beyond her lifetime. Copies of her works were preserved and studied for centuries, proving the lasting impact of her contributions to literature and religious thought. As the first recorded female poet, she stands as a testament to the power of words and the enduring influence of a woman’s voice in shaping history.

Hatshepsut is widely regarded as one of ancient Egypt’s greatest pharaohs, a ruler who defied convention and reigned with extraordinary success. Taking the throne in the 15th century BC, she secured her position in a male-dominated role through a combination of political acumen, architectural ambition, and economic prosperity. Her reign saw Egypt flourish, with grand construction projects, including her stunning mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari.

To navigate the expectations of kingship, Hatshepsut was often depicted as a man in statues and reliefs, wearing the traditional false beard and kilt of a pharaoh. Yet, subtle artistic details, such as her facial features and inscriptions using feminine pronouns, hinted at her true identity. This dual portrayal allowed her to command authority while acknowledging her unprecedented position.

Rather than pursuing military conquests, Hatshepsut focused on diplomacy and trade, reopening lucrative trade routes and launching the famous expedition to the Land of Punt. Her policies strengthened Egypt’s wealth and stability, earning her a reign of nearly two decades. Despite later attempts to erase her from history, Hatshepsut’s enduring impact is now celebrated, marking her as one of Egypt’s most remarkable and visionary rulers.

One of ancient Egypt’s most iconic queens, Nefertiti ruled during a time of radical religious change in the 14th century BC. As the Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, she played a central role in the shift toward the worship of Aten, the sun god, over the traditional Egyptian pantheon.

Depictions of Nefertiti in art reveal an unprecedented level of power – she was often shown performing religious rites alongside the pharaoh, sometimes even in positions traditionally reserved for kings. Some scholars believe she may have ruled as co-regent or even as pharaoh after Akhenaten’s death.

Her famous bust, discovered in 1912, remains one of the most recognisable artifacts from ancient Egypt, embodying her enduring mystique. Though her ultimate fate remains unknown, Nefertiti’s legacy as a queen, religious revolutionary, and symbol of beauty and power continues to captivate historians and the public alike.

Sappho was an ancient Greek poet whose lyric poetry has captivated readers for over two millennia. Born on the island of Lesbos around 630 BC, she was widely celebrated for her verses exploring love, desire, and personal reflection. Though much of her work survives only in fragments, her influence on poetry and literature remains profound.

Unlike epic poets like Homer, Sappho’s poetry was deeply personal, expressing emotions with an intimacy that was rare in ancient Greek literature. Her verses often addressed the beauty of nature, the joy and pain of love, and the bonds between women. She was renowned in antiquity, hailed as the “Tenth Muse” by later scholars, and her work inspired countless poets throughout history.

Sappho’s legacy is also tied to the modern understanding of female same-sex love; the term “lesbian” derives from her homeland, Lesbos, and “Sapphic” poetry remains a literary tradition.

When the Persian king Cyrus the Great sought to expand his empire into Massagetae territory, he underestimated Tomyris. As queen of the nomadic Scythian people in the 6th century BC, she refused to be deceived by his tactics. After Cyrus attempted to weaken her army with trickery, she retaliated with a decisive counterattack.

According to Herodotus, after her forces defeated the Persians, Tomyris had Cyrus’s body beheaded and supposedly dunked his severed head into a vessel of blood, declaring, “Drink your fill of blood, for which you have thirsted.” Whether fact or legend, the story cemented her as one of history’s fiercest warriors.

Her victory was more than a military triumph – it was an act of defiance against one of the world’s most powerful empires. By leading her people to victory, she ensured the Massagetae remained independent at that time, and her name became synonymous with strength, resilience, and unyielding leadership.

A naval commander and ruler of Halicarnassus, Artemisia I fought alongside the Persian king Xerxes I during the Greco-Persian Wars. Despite being one of the few female admirals in history, she proved her prowess in the Battle of Salamis, where she outmaneuvered the Greek fleet and impressed even Xerxes with her cunning strategy.

Unlike many rulers, Artemisia was not merely a figurehead, but actively led her fleet and participated in warfare. Her intelligence and bravery earned her a unique place in military history, demonstrating that leadership on the battlefield was not solely the domain of men.

Perhaps the most famous woman from antiquity, Cleopatra VII was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Fluent in multiple languages and highly educated, she was a shrewd diplomat who used her intelligence and charm to form alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Unlike many rulers of her dynasty, Cleopatra embraced Egyptian culture and was even portrayed as a goddess in temples.

Her dramatic love affairs and political maneuvers were legendary, but her greatest strength was her ability to maintain Egypt’s independence for as long as possible in the face of the growing power of Rome. Ultimately, after the defeat of her forces at the Battle of Actium, she took her own life rather than be paraded as a Roman captive. Her death marked the end of ancient Egypt as an independent power, but her story has fascinated historians, playwrights, and filmmakers for centuries.

Boudicca was a warrior queen who led one of the most formidable rebellions against the Roman Empire. As the ruler of the Iceni tribe in the 1st century AD Roman province of Brittania, she initially coexisted with Rome. However, after the death of her husband, the Romans ignored his will, seized Iceni lands, and brutally mistreated Boudicca and her daughters. In response, she rose in defiance, rallying a vast force of Britons to reclaim their freedom.

With fire and fury, Boudicca’s army swept through Roman settlements, destroying Camulodunum, Londinium, and Verulamium, predecessors of Colchester, London, and St Albans. Her campaign left Roman Britain in ruins, shaking the empire’s very control of the province. Despite her eventual defeat, her rebellion exposed Rome’s vulnerability and forced them to reconsider their policies toward native tribes.

Boudicca’s legacy endures as a symbol of resistance, strength, and defiance against oppression. Ancient Roman sources describe her as a tall, fierce woman with flowing red hair and a commanding presence. Though her uprising failed, her story remains one of history’s most remarkable tales of rebellion, inspiring generations to challenge tyranny.

One of the greatest minds of the ancient world, Hypatia was a philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer in Alexandria. She led the Neoplatonic school, teaching subjects ranging from geometry to astronomy. She was also an inventor, reportedly designing an early hydrometer to measure the density of liquids.

Her commitment to reason and scientific inquiry made her a revered figure, but also a target. During a period of religious and political turmoil, she was accused of heresy and brutally murdered by a Christian mob. Her death symbolised the conflict between religious extremism and intellectual freedom, and she remains a powerful figure in discussions on science and philosophy.

The only woman in Chinese history to rule as emperor, Wu Zetian defied expectations and reshaped the imperial court. Rising from a concubine to Empress Consort, she outmaneuvered rivals to seize power, officially establishing the Zhou Dynasty in 690 AD. Her reign was marked by sweeping political reforms, economic prosperity, and a strong central government, securing her place as one of China’s most formidable rulers.

A strategic leader, Wu Zetian promoted officials based on merit rather than noble birth, strengthening the imperial bureaucracy. She championed Buddhism, commissioning the famous Longmen Grottoes and reinforcing her divine right to rule. Despite later historical attempts to vilify her, she was a shrewd and effective ruler, ensuring stability and prosperity throughout her reign. To cement her authority in a male-dominated imperial system, she took the title Huangdi, traditionally reserved for male emperors.

We’ve seen how ten women from ancient history broke barriers, led nations, and left legacies that continue to inspire today. Whether as warriors, poets, philosophers, or rulers, their extraordinary achievements are a mere glimpse into the impact they left on history.