Similarities Between Empress Wu And Cleopatra

In today’s society, many women hold leadership roles in political and religious settings. However, looking back in history it was very uncommon for a woman to be in a position of power. Although there are exceptions to women holding influential positions long before it was considered socially acceptable. Two particular examples of great ancient female leaders are the Tang Empress of China, Wu Zetian, and the last Pharaoh of Egypt, Cleopatra. Empress Wu and Cleopatra are both infamous female monarch rulers who found their way to power by using violence and clever tactics to gain and preserve their positions. Tang Empress Wu Zetian (also known as Empress Wu or Wu Zhao ruled China from 684 A.D. until her death in 705 A.D. (Nicholson, 1996).

In Cleopatras situation, Egyptian law required female rulers to have a consort typically being a brother or son (Mark, 2009). Even after receiving the throne in her father’s will she had to marry her ten year old brother making them joint rulers of Egypt. Empress Wu, on the other hand, lost Emperor Taizhong to death and gained the interest of the next heir Emperor Gaozong. The new Emperor was fascinated by Wu and a few years later gave her the title of Zhaoyi (second grade

She utilized secret informants to spy and order assassinations of prospective rivals. As Empress, Wu introduced the examination system, which streamlined bureaucracy by worth rather than by noble birth (Dash, 2012). She influenced the promotion of literature and art, lowered oppressive taxes, raised agriculture production, and strengthened public works (Dash, 2012). Cleopatra, on the other hand, focused more on consolidating her power rather than on the matters of the people. She spoke six languages and followed Egyptian traditions and learned how to relate influencing the love of her people. Cleopatra seduced two of the most influential leaders of the time Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony intertwining Egypt with Rome. She became the target of Octavian in the battle of Actium, and later committed suicide (Sayre,