(~4 min read)
Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by Egypt. Not only because of its breathtaking art, its ethereal gods, or the countless legends surrounding its civilization, but because of the way it continues to challenge the way we think about history.
As a woman, I was especially drawn to one aspect of Ancient Egypt: I found myself looking at a civilization where women could, in certain circumstances, hold the highest position of power. A reality that has often been questioned and challenged throughout history.
It made me wonder. What changed?
Before exploring this question, we first need to understand the Egyptian context.
When a woman became pharaoh, she was not usually treated as a "queen acting for a man." She assumed the role of the king itself: the highest political and religious authority of Egypt. The institution of kingship carried responsibilities that went beyond gender, representing the stability and order of the kingdom.
Some rulers, such as Hatshepsut, even adopted traditionally male royal imagery, including the false beard. This was not because they wanted to "be men," but because they were embodying the role and symbolism of kingship itself.
However, this acceptance was not simply a matter of tradition or exception; it was deeply rooted in the religious beliefs and political structures that shaped Ancient Egyptian kingship.
At the time, Egyptians valued Ma'at, which meant cosmic order, balance, and harmony. The idea was built on the belief that stability came from the cooperation of different forces, rather than from one alone.
Royal women were closely connected to this religious understanding of balance. Queens and female members of the royal family were often associated with powerful goddesses such as Isis and Hathor, figures linked to protection, motherhood, fertility, and divine legitimacy. These associations strengthened the idea that feminine power could exist alongside political authority and was an essential part of maintaining order.
While religion provided the ideological foundation for female rule, politics often made it a practical necessity. Ancient Egypt was a dynastic state where stability depended on preserving the royal bloodline. In moments of uncertain succession, such as the death of a king or the minority of a young heir, a royal woman could offer a legitimate solution. Unlike an ambitious military commander or court official, her authority came from protecting the existing dynasty rather than replacing it.
This also ensured continuity. Egypt's vast bureaucracy of priests, scribes, and officials could continue functioning without the disruption of a violent power struggle, while neighboring kingdoms recognized the legitimacy of the royal family regardless of the ruler's gender. In many cases, allowing a woman from the royal line to rule was not simply an act of acceptance; it was the safest way to preserve political stability.
The interesting question is not whether Ancient Egypt was "more advanced" than the societies that followed. History is rarely that simple. Instead, it is worth asking how different civilizations came to define power, legitimacy, and leadership in different ways.
As time passed, many societies developed political systems where authority became increasingly associated with male inheritance, military power, and patriarchal family structures. In some cultures, leadership was connected less to the balance between different forces and more to ideas of male succession and social hierarchy.
The role of women in politics was therefore not determined solely by their individual abilities, either in Ancient Egypt or in later societies. While rulers such as Hatshepsut and Cleopatra demonstrated remarkable political skill, their access to power was first shaped by the structures around them: royal lineage, religious legitimacy, and the political needs of their time.
Perhaps the most surprising lesson from Ancient Egypt is not that women could rule thousands of years ago. It is that the way we imagine leadership has never been fixed...
My Rabbit Hole Sources
These are some of the books, articles, and research that helped me explore the ideas behind this article and continue learning about Ancient Egypt. If you would like to explore the idea more, feel free to explore them for yourself!
Kara Cooney — When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/553688/when-women-ruled-the-world-by-kara-cooney/
Egypt Exploration Society — “Women in Ancient Egypt”
https://www.ees.ac.uk/resource/women-in-ancient-egypt.html
UCLA Newsroom — “The Parallels of Female Power in the Ancient World and Modern Times”
Hamilton College — “Egyptian Female Pharaohs Rule”
https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/egyptian-female-pharoahs-rule
University of Kent — “Being a Woman in Ancient Egypt: A Hidden History of Changing Rights”
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