The Life and Reign of Cleopatra

There exist many powerful women in history who rule and change the world. Among them was Pharaoh Cleopatra, the last active pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt between 51 and 31 BC. She had the longest reign amongst all female Egyptian rulers and was regarded as one of the most prolific rulers in the history of Egypt. Another of these powerful women in history is Empress Wu Zetian who was the only female emperor in the history of China. She reigned between 618 to 907 CE during the brief Zhou Dynasty which interrupted Tang Dynasty (Pollard 114). Although there are other ancient female rulers in history, Tang Empress Wu Zetian and Pharaoh Cleopatra stand out due to their unique and sometimes similar ways they accomplished their reigns.

            Both Pharaoh Cleopatra and Empress Wu Zetian were well educated, of exotic beauty and came from wealthy background. Cleopatra spoke various languages including Egyptian. She received the same education as her brothers in the event she came to rule Egypt and later came to serve as a dominant ruler in all her coregencies (Pollard 122). Empress Wu Zetian grew up in a wealthy family. Unlike other women in her time, she got access to good education. She had the skill to read, write and play music.

            Empress Wu Zetian and Pharaoh Cleopatra ascended to become rulers. Empress Wu Zetian ascended to the throne by force and started her own dynasty, the Zhou Dynasty, whilst the throne was partly handed down to Cleopatra. Empress Wu Zetian was a concubine of emperor Taizong who reigned between 626 to 649. On his death Wu Zetian got married to his heir, Gaozong. She became the main concubine of Gaizong. It is believed she positioned herself as the main concubine by eliminating the then current empress and other concubines who were a threat to her. She had four sons and a daughter (Ashton 44). Cleopatra was royalty from the day she was conceived. Her parents were Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra V Tryphaena. The throne was past down to both Cleopatra and her brother Ptolemy XIII.

            During their reigns, both women achieved several accomplishments for their country. Empress Wu Zetian dynasty grew to be powerful and was considered as the golden age of civilization of China. She improved agriculture and the economy of China and reduced taxes and inspired women education (Ashton 50). Pharaoh Cleopatra was also a great influence on women as well. She was independent and upon been forced exile by her brother, she raised an army and returned to claim the throne.

            Both rulers were faced with struggles during their rule. Empress Wu used many unethical methods to rise to power. She murdered her sister, and brutally killed her elder brothers and even poisoned her mother. She was said to have a heart of a snake and the nature of a wolf. She was not like by many due to all these deeds (Pollard 161). During the beginning of Cleopatra’s reign, there was great economic failure, famine, floods and political conflicts. All fingers were pointed to Cleopatra. She had a conflict with one of the advisors to Ptolemy XII which eventually led to her downfall leaving her brother as the sole ruler.

            The two women were brought up in different cultures. The religion of the Zhou Dynasty introduced two major philosophies of China, Taoism and Confucianism.  Taoism taught the concept of the yin and yang while the Confucius education influenced culture and the régime of ancient China. During the rule of Cleopatra, there was the Egyptian religion which involved worship of their ancient gods and giving offerings to them. The were also a difference in the architecture during these two eras (Ashton 55). Buildings during the Zhou dynasty were built from wooden beams and they had rammed clay walls. Houses were built according to one’s wealth. Emperors had red curved pillars while the wealthiest families had theirs painted black and the commoners had black pillars. During Cleopatra’s reign, pyramids were a characteristic symbol of ancient Egypt.

            Cleopatra if seen today, would have been great diplomat and a politician. She was a good negotiator, diplomat and a politician who understood how to display her country’s prowess and influence. Empress Wu would have been currently ruling one of the monarchial states in this modern day. She would have been a female president today. She was manipulative and sharp in the knowledge of politics.

            Empress Wu and Pharaoh Cleopatra will forever be remembered as greatest female leaders of their time despite their downfalls. They brought change to their countries and encouraged education of women and improved economy.

Works Cited

Pollard, Elizabeth (2015), Worlds Together Worlds Apart. New York

Ashton, Sally- Ann (2008) Cleopatra and Egypt Oxford;Blackwell