Women and Power

Influence on Politics and Leadership

Several powerful female figures emerged throughout ancient history, showing that women could hold positions of power and influence. Examples include Cleopatra of Egypt, Boudicca of the Iceni in Britain, and Artemisia of Caria.
In ancient Greece, times of crisis occasionally granted women, such as the Oracle of Delphi, considerable influence, despite the largely patriarchal culture.
Women in power could command armies, rule kingdoms, and heavily influence the political climate of their time.

In some Ancient cultures, women had legal rights to own, inherit, and dispose of property. These societies include Ancient Egypt and Sparta.
Women could control their own dowries in Ancient Athens, possessing significant influence in economic decisions within the household.
Some Roman women, despite cultural restrictions, managed to seize control of their financial affairs.

Women often played a significant role in religious processes, such as maintaining the home’s sacred hearth and taking part in public rituals.
Many societies in the ancient world worshipped goddesses, and women played crucial roles in their worship.
Priestesses, like the Pythia in Delphi, could possess significant religious and social influence, with their prophecies guiding sociopolitical decisions.

In ancient cultures, women contributed to and influenced the arts, literature, and philosophy. Sappho, an ancient Greek poetess, left a lasting impression on literature.
Female figures of the ancient world have left a significant impact on western culture, often standing as powerful para-examples of the capabilities and influential power women can exert.
Women’s role in the private and public spheres, as reflected in the myths, poems, and artwork, offers a look into their daily lives and the cultural influence they wielded.