The Woman Who Became King
Collectors of ancient coins know of Egypt’s Queen Arsinöe Philadelphus, who ruled the ancient land for many years. She has long been a favorite subject of mine because of her wisdom and exceptional place in history. While she was not the first or only woman to have been granted the title of king, she is clearly outstanding among the very few to have earned the title.
Background
Arsinöe II, the daughter of Ptolemy I and Berenike I, was born in 316 B.C. Like many noble women of the time, she was married for political reasons at the tender age of 15 to Lysimachus, a Thessalian officer and successor to Alexander the Great. In 306 B.C., he became king of Thrace, Asia Minor, and Macedon. She remained with him until he died in 281 B.C., when she married her half-brother Ptolemy II.
Their unhappy marriage ended within a year. Afterward, she attempted to oust him but was rebuked and forced to seek protection in Egypt, which at that time was ruled by her younger full-brother, Ptolemy II. Arsinöe married her brother in 276 B.C. (Interfamily marriages were not frowned upon at the time and were sometimes essential for sustaining the line of succession for royal families.)
Although unconventional, Arsinöe was a capable queen and coruler who took charge of Egypt’s foreign affairs.
Arsinöe II, “King of Upper and Lower Egypt”
Although unconventional, Arsinöe was a capable queen and coruler who took charge of Egypt’s foreign affairs. After she died in 270 B.C., her former subjects granted her complete deification. They also struck gold and silver coinage bearing her crowned and veiled portrait. The large silver decadrachms struck c. 252-246 B.C. were included, showing her portrait and a symbolic double cornucopia design on the reverse.
Sibling marriage was acceptable for Egyptian royalty, but among the Greeks, it was known only between deities. As such, Arsinöe’s union exemplified the concept of rulers being worshipped as divinities. That tradition likely began in Egypt in the 15th century B.C. when Thutmose III inherited the throne at age 2. Hatshepsut began ruling Egypt alongside her stepson (and nephew) Thutmose by assuming the title and powers of a true pharaoh.
Other Women “Kings”
Throughout history, several other women have either assumed or been awarded the title of king. Among the most famous was Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of Egypt and the last of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egyptian rulers. She was the daughter of Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra V and lived from 69 B.C. until her death by suicide in 30 B.C.
Equally famous was Maria Theresa, who lived from A.D. 1717-80 and was crowned sovereign of the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1741. She ruled for 40 years as “King of Hungary” in what was known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In the Orient, Empress Wu Zhao was the first and only female emperor of China. She began her rise to power at age 14 when she became a royal court concubine. Through various means, she eventually founded her own dynasty, which she ruled from 690 to 705.
Russia’s Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great, came to power by overthrowing her husband, Peter III, and becoming a highly effective ruler by surrounding herself with capable advisors and lovers.
England’s Queen Elizabeth I will never be forgotten as the 16th-century queen who ruled at a time when many people believed that no woman was fit to serve as monarch. Her famous words still ring true today: “I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too.”
Conclusion
Countless other women have proven their capabilities as efficient rulers. Astonishingly, they advanced their roles in world politics and civic rights in a time when they were deprived of owning property, initiating divorce, or maintaining financial independence. In America today, we honor their continuing struggles to gain recognition for their abilities and skills, which may eventually produce the first woman president of the United States, with powers surpassing those of a mere king.