History is evident that women were given equal rights and power over men. A Queen is equivalent to their king counterpart and is the female monarch of an empire. They have great powers and are also the wives of the reigning kings. Some queens have led an entire empire without the kings. In the history of empires, there have been many queens who have been popular during their reign and afterward. Their influence, good deeds to people, power, and skills have made them as famous queens of the past. Shall we check those famous queens in history?
Here is the list of ten most famous queens in history:
10. Queen Zenobia, Syria
Queen Zenobia of Syria is one of the most inspiring queens in history. She is a national hero of Syria. Her rise and fall have inspired many historians, film-makers, and novelists. She was the third-century queen of the Palmyrene Empire in Syria. She married the ruler of the city, Odaenathus. After Odaenathus’ assassination, she became the queen regent of her son Vaballathus and held real power throughout her reign. In 270, she brought most of the Roman East under her sway after she launched an invasion. She was terrifying on her way to invading kingdoms or regions. In the process, she was captured by Aurelian in her capital. Queen Zenobia was exiled to Rome and she lived there till her death.
Zenobia was a beautiful queen and used her beauty to achieve what was needed. During her reign, she was open to scholars and philosophers. She encouraged a multicultural multiethnic empire. She was protective of religious minorities. Zenobia held a stable administration in her government. In 274, Zenobia died. There are many tales surrounding her death due to no recording of events.
9. Queen Tomyris, Central Asia
Queen Tomyris is a famous Massagetean ruler of the Massagetae people in Central Asia. Massagetae people are Iranian people from the Scythian pastoral-nomadic confederation. The areas under Tomyris were belonging to parts of present-day Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, western Uzbekistan, and southern Kazakhstan.
Several ancient writers mention the name Tomyris in their works, the first one being Herodotus. Other writers are Strabo, Polyaenus, Cassiodorus, and Jordanes. She has also been part of poetry by Eustache Deschamps and a play by Shakespeare.
8. Rani of Jhansi, India
Rani of Jhansi (Lakshmibai) was the queen of the princely state of Jhansi in North India. Queen Lakshmibai was the leading figure during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. She became a prominent figure of resistance to the British Raj. She was famous among the Brits and Indian nationals for her valor and fighting skills.
Today, people remember her with a sword and riding a horse. Across India, there are several statues of her. She was highly patriotic. Her patriotism has been rewarded by honoring her with several statues, novels, films, songs, and poems. Exact events following her death is unknown as there are several traditions/stories on how she died. But, she truly lived and died for the country on 18 June 1858 fighting the British.
7. Queen Nefertiti, Egypt
Queen Nefertiti is one of the most famous queens from ancient Egypt. She was the Great Royal Wife of Akhenaten, an Egyptian Pharaoh. She ruled at a time when Ancient Egypt was at the wealthiest period. The queen had several titles. She was born in 1370 BC. Her death and burial is a mystery and not much is known. Several films, TV programs, music and literature works have honored her. The iconic status of the queen was from her bust in Berlin’s Neues Museum. The bust of Queen Nefertiti is one of the most copied works of ancient Egypt.
6. Queen Boudica, United Kingdom
Queen Boudica is a famous queen of the British Celtic Iceni tribe who is an important cultural icon. She led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire in AD 60 or 61. Boudica is a folk hero of the British legacy. She has been part of several pop-culture such as comics, video games, artworks, films, music, novels, and television series.
It was the Victorian Era that saw the peak of Boudica’s fame. Boudica became a legendary figure as Queen Victoria came to be seen as Boudica’s “namesake”. The absence of British literature during the early part of the first millennium simply means that information regarding Boudica’s rebellion comes solely from the writings of the Romans.
5. Queen Elizabeth I, England & Ireland
Queen Elizabeth I, simply called Elizabeth is considered the greatest monarch in the history of England. There is nobody who doesn’t know her. She is one of the most famous queens in the world. She was one of the most powerful during her time and she ruled England for nearly half a century. During her tenure she was subjected to several scandals, conspiracies, enemies and her supporters considered her dangerous.
She became the Queen of England at the age of twenty-five years in 1558. She had a great sense of duty. Elizabeth worked hard to retain peace and tranquility in England. She could easily dazzle even her enemies. Today, historians have taken a complex view of Elizabeth. The view is complex in the sense of praising and defaming. Finally, Elizabeth is famous in the world as a queen in history.
4. Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt
Queen Hatshepsut of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt has the name “Foremost of Noble Ladies”. The fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt is the second confirmed historical female pharaoh. Hatshepsut took the throne in 1478 BC.
Egyptologists regard her as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other female from the Egyptian Dynasty. Hatshepsut was an expert warrior but her reign was a peaceful era. One of the most famous things she did during her reign was to build the Hatshepsut’s temple. She built several amazing classical Egyptian architectures and buildings. Her birth, death, and burial remain a mystery.
3. Queen Victoria, United Kingdom
Victoria was the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Everybody knows about her. She is one of the most famous queens in the UK. She reigned from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. Her 63 years and seven months of the ruling are longer than any of her predecessors. Queen Victoria’s reign is termed as the Victorian era. This period saw tremendous growth in industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military of the United Kingdom and a greater expansion of the British Empire. She was an influential character in the country by administrating strong government policies and ministerial appointments. This made her a public icon in the country.
She was so famous that memorials and places were dedicated to her, especially in the Commonwealth nations. In 1856, the Victoria Cross was introduced to honor acts of valor during the Crimean War. It remains the highest award for bravery in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Victoria Day is celebrated in some nations marking her birthday.
2. Catherine The Great, Russia
Catherine II was the most famous ruler of Russia and is also the longest-ruling female leader. She was the empress of Russia from 1762 until 1796. During her rule, Russia grew larger, powerful, and stronger. Russia became a super-power of Europe during her reign. She was governing at a time Russia was growing faster by diplomacy and conquest.
Many new cities and towns were formed during her administration. She reformed the administration of Russian guberniyas. The period ruled by Catherine the Great has been known to the world as the Catherinian Era, considered as the Golden Age of the Russian Empire and the Russian nobility. A famous woman of her time and today she is remembered for her noble causes, military expansions, and modernization of Russia.
1. Queen Cleopatra, Egypt
Queen Cleopatra is the most famous queen in the world and in ancient times. She is famous for her eternal beauty. Cleopatra VII was the last true pharaoh of Egypt. The queen was the ruler of Egypt, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East. Several modern literature and artworks describe Cleopatra’s romantic relationship with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Cleopatra was born in a troubled royal dynasty who with the help of Cesar regained the throne. One of the mysteries surrounding queen Cleopatra is her burial site and place. It is probably in Egypt. She died at the age of 39.
Special Mentions:
Mary Queen of Scots
Queen Anne
Queen Isabella