A famous proverb says, "If women ruled the world, there would be no wars." An unknown author added a sequel to it, which reads: “If women ruled the world, there would be no wars. Just a bunch of countries that don't talk to each other. "
Women did rule. These are the most famous of them…
Hatshepsut (1508 BC - 1458 BC)
Hatshepsut was one of the most powerful women in the ancient world. She was the fifth pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt and ruled longer than any other woman in Egyptian history. Hatshepsut was married to her ailing half-brother Thutmose II, and the two began to rule after the death of their father Thutmose I, in 1492 BC. Thutmose II died in 1479 BC, and Hatshepsut continued to rule alone until her death in 1458 BC.
Many Egyptologists and historians believe that Hatshepsut was one of the most successful monarchs of Ancient Egypt. It commissioned many construction projects and re-established trade networks that disrupted Hicks ’occupation plans in the second inter-dynastic period. Hatshepsut also led a large expedition to the land of Punt, a rich country in the south of Egypt. Hatshepsut is believed to have conducted successful military campaigns in Nubia, the Levant and Syria during her reign.
Cleopatra (69 BC - 30 BC)
The last heiress of the pharaoh, known as the great seductress who conquered the greatest Roman rulers such as Caesar and Mark Antony, reportedly charmed the most with her personality, melodic voice, stunning style and incredible intellect. She knew 12 languages and impressed with her enviable knowledge of philosophy, oratory, mathematics and astronomy.
Although she killed her sisters, betrayed the love of her life and was very promiscuous in reaching powerful positions in the state, she was remembered as one of the most capable women in history, whose dominant traits were determination and intelligence. She reached her climax before the age of forty, when she decided to take her own life - she died as a result of a poisonous snake bite!
Isabel I of Castile (1451 - 1504)
She was the daughter of Juan II of Castile and his second wife, Isabella of Portugal. Isabella I ruled with her husband Ferdinand of Aragon from 1474 until her death in 1504. She is remembered for financing the journey of Christopher Columbus to the west, initiating the Spanish Inquisition and uniting the remaining independent Spanish kingdoms into one nation.
On the other hand, she is remembered as a ruler who tortured, expelled and killed Jews and Muslims. The number of people killed under her command is unknown, and the torture she devised was varied.
Elizabeth I (1533 - 1603)
Elizabeth was the daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn and ruled from 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last monarch of the Tudor dynasty and her reign is known as the "Elizabethan era". In addition to successfully ruling her country, one of the main missions of this queen was to prove that women can be just as powerful rulers as men.
She is known as the only English queen who never married, despite the many kings and dukes who begged her hand. She claimed to be married to her country. As a student she studied Greek, Latin, rhetoric and philosophy. When she came to power, she transformed the English court into a center for poets, writers, musicians and scientists.
Elizabeth also transformed England from a Catholic nation to a Protestant one. Despite her Protestant sympathies, Elizabeth was known to be tolerant of all religions in England. Its rule and religious transformation have been vehemently challenged by other European Catholic states.
Maria Theresa of Austria (1717 - 1780)
She succeeded her father, the holy Roman emperor Charles VI. Maria Theresa brought many economic and political changes to her empire. It increased the size of the military by 200 percent and increased taxes to guarantee a steady income to the government, and the military in particular. It centralized the government by merging the Austrian and Czech offices, which had previously been separated, into one administrative office. It also began what became known as the Diplomatic Revolution of 1756 when it formed an alliance with France, a former enemy, to serve as a coalition against the new allies of Prussia and Great Britain. Its reforms and political decisions have been successful in strengthening the economy and the state in general.
Maria Theresa was also a participant in the Enlightenment. She strongly promoted education and liberal politics. She founded the Imperial and Royal Science and Literature in Brussels and supported medical research by demanding that the University of Vienna receive money to make the medical school more efficient. Some of Maria Theresa's civic reforms included the abolition of witch-burning and torture, the abolition of the death penalty, and the obligation to educate.
Catherine the Great (1729 - 1796)
Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great, ruled Russia. Catherine is remembered for bringing Enlightenment ideas to Russia, but also expanding the empire. Her reign lasted either 34 years, beginning on June 28, 1762 and ending with her death on November 6, 1796.
Catherine was born in Poland and in 1744 moved to Russia to marry Peter III who was heir to the Russian throne. She saw her husband as arrogant and immature, and finally, in 1762, Catherine conspired with the imperial guard to overthrow her husband.
As Empress, Catherine continued the process of modernizing Russia as Peter the Great and Empress Elizabeth before her. She integrated the ideas of the Enlightenment into her politics, promoted the arts and led a successful foreign policy. It also expanded the Russian Empire to the Black Sea by defeating the Ottoman Empire in two great wars. Catherine's empire stretched across three continents: Europe, Asia, and part of North America. It stretched from the Arctic Ocean in the north, the Black Sea in the south, Alaska and the Pacific Ocean to the Baltic Sea in the west.
Victoria (1819 - 1901)
Victoria's empire stretched over 14.2 million square miles, spread over six continents and controlled countries such as Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan, as well as many others. Geographically, the British Empire was the largest colonial empire in the nineteenth century and the largest in history. Victoria ruled over 400 to 458 million people during her reign. Victoria inspired the world trend known as the "Victorian era". The Victorian era influenced conservative religious and social attitudes, fashion, and politics in their own country, as well as in the United States and other countries. Victoria's reign began in 1837 and ended in her death in 1901. She ruled for 63 years.
Victoria contributed to mass political and social reforms in Great Britain, as well as in the British Empire. She supported the Act of Parliament of 1838, which abolished slavery in all colonies in the British Empire.
As some were bolder at the time, a very interesting finding.