by Heather A. Fowler

Created on: September 22, 2011   Last Updated: September 23, 2011

The majority of Egyptologists believe that in ancient Egypt, family lines were matrilineal, or traced through the mother, in ancient times. It is not surprising, then, that there were many female leaders of the nation as well. While most modern experts now believe that there has never been a true matriarchy – that is, a society based on the supremacy of women - females of the royal line in ancient Egypt ruled on the throne when lineage dictated. These are some of the most

famous female pharaohs of ancient Egypt, and what they are generally remembered for.

1. MERYT-NEITH (1st Dynasty c.3000 BC)

* United the upper and lower kingdoms.

* Wife of Djet, other of Den; thought to be the third ruler of the dynasty.

* While she was buried with other pharaohs of the 1st Dynasty complete with accompanying honors, very little is known about her life. Some experts question her very existence.

2. NITOCRIS (6th Dynasty 2148-44 BC) – Also known as Neith-Iquerti, Neithhikret, or Nitokerty

* She is known only through a story in ‘An Account of Egypt’ by Herodotus, published in the 5th century BCE, and other minor mentions in other lore. There is no archaeological evidence to support her existence.

* It is theorized that she was married to a non-royal and produced no male heirs

* She is somewhat of a romantic figure in Egyptian history, and was sometimes called “The bravest and most beautiful woman of her time.”

* Herodotus said that she was the sister of pharaoh Metesouphis II, and avenged his murder by drowning his killers and then killing herself. The legend tells that she issued invitations for an opulent royal banquet to all of those guilty of her brother’s murder. When the party was in progress, she opened the palace floodgates and let in the River Nile, drowning every one in moments. She then flung herself into a room full of hot ash to escape her punishment for not first carrying out a trial.

* She reigned for less than three years.

3. SOBEKNOFRU (Neferusobek) (12th Dynasty ?1767-1759 BC) – Also known as Neferusobek, Nefrusobek or Sebek-Nefru (Meryetre)

* Her existence and rule is pieced together by a number of documents and mention on various monuments.

* She wore men’s garments over her own female ones to demonstrate she was as able to rule as any male

* She was the last ruler of the dynasty.

* Her honorifics included “Daughter of Re,” “Female Horus,” and “King of Upper and Lower Egypt.”

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