Comparative analysis: Empress Wu Zetian and Pharaoha Cleopatra
Stephen Damron
Strayer University HUM 111: World Cultures I
Dr. Ronald Gavin
May 29, 2016
This comparative analysis examines two powerful and historically significant female rulers from ancient times. The Chinese Empress Wu Zetian, who lived from 624 to 705 is compared and contrasted with the Egyptian Pharaoh Cleopatra, who lived from 69 to 30B.C.E ("Wu Zetian," 2014). It is concluded that, despite their important differences, both rulers found it impossible to attain ultimate power through the official hierarchy, and thus had to utilize their own restrictive gender roles, as well as violence and cunning, to assert and maintain their …show more content…
Having tried to consolidate power for herself by taking it from her brother, husband, and co-ruler Ptolemy XIII, Cleopatra was barred from entering Alexandria during a visit by the powerful Roman general and future ruler, Julius Caesar. To make her way to the meeting, Cleopatra was said to be rolled up into a carpet which was then presented to Caesar. There, she made a deep and lasting impression on the future Roman Emperor, who would father a son to her (Crawford, 2007). Likewise, Empress Wu used seduction and planning to become the prized consort and confidant of Emperors Taizong and Gaozong. It is rumored that Wu achieved this by allowing the Emperors to satisfy their most forbidden sexual pleasures (Dash, 2012). Of course, these tales of feminine seduction may themselves be nothing more than myths inspired by restrictive gender roles. Nevertheless, it is undoubted that both women utilized the positions they were in, as women, to achieve an unprecedented degree of power and influence in societies were female rulers were unheard …show more content…
This conclusion raises the question of whether modern women who strive for power and success should emulate the tactics employed by men for the same purpose. It seems clear that women who desire to fill traditionally male, elite roles may be perfectly qualified to do so but may also need to use questionable tactics in the process. Until new social roles and positions of influence are developed by women, ambitious women will likely have to utilize their gender roles, as well as ruthless tactics, in service of their rise to power.
References
1. Crawford, L. (2007, March 31). Who was Cleopatra? Smithsonian. Retrieved from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/who-was-cleopatra-151356013/Dash, M. (2012, August 10).
2. The demonization of Empress Wu. Smithsonian. Retrieved from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-demonization-of-empress-wu-20743091/?no-istKristof, N. D. (2008, February 10).
3. When women rule. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/10/opinion/10kristof.htmlWu Zetian China’s only female emperor. (2014). Retrieved from
Stephen Damron
Strayer University HUM 111: World Cultures I
Dr. Ronald Gavin
May 29, 2016
This comparative analysis examines two powerful and historically significant female rulers from ancient times. The Chinese Empress Wu Zetian, who lived from 624 to 705 is compared and contrasted with the Egyptian Pharaoh Cleopatra, who lived from 69 to 30B.C.E ("Wu Zetian," 2014). It is concluded that, despite their important differences, both rulers found it impossible to attain ultimate power through the official hierarchy, and thus had to utilize their own restrictive gender roles, as well as violence and cunning, to assert and maintain their …show more content…
Having tried to consolidate power for herself by taking it from her brother, husband, and co-ruler Ptolemy XIII, Cleopatra was barred from entering Alexandria during a visit by the powerful Roman general and future ruler, Julius Caesar. To make her way to the meeting, Cleopatra was said to be rolled up into a carpet which was then presented to Caesar. There, she made a deep and lasting impression on the future Roman Emperor, who would father a son to her (Crawford, 2007). Likewise, Empress Wu used seduction and planning to become the prized consort and confidant of Emperors Taizong and Gaozong. It is rumored that Wu achieved this by allowing the Emperors to satisfy their most forbidden sexual pleasures (Dash, 2012). Of course, these tales of feminine seduction may themselves be nothing more than myths inspired by restrictive gender roles. Nevertheless, it is undoubted that both women utilized the positions they were in, as women, to achieve an unprecedented degree of power and influence in societies were female rulers were unheard …show more content…
This conclusion raises the question of whether modern women who strive for power and success should emulate the tactics employed by men for the same purpose. It seems clear that women who desire to fill traditionally male, elite roles may be perfectly qualified to do so but may also need to use questionable tactics in the process. Until new social roles and positions of influence are developed by women, ambitious women will likely have to utilize their gender roles, as well as ruthless tactics, in service of their rise to power.
References
1. Crawford, L. (2007, March 31). Who was Cleopatra? Smithsonian. Retrieved from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/who-was-cleopatra-151356013/Dash, M. (2012, August 10).
2. The demonization of Empress Wu. Smithsonian. Retrieved from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-demonization-of-empress-wu-20743091/?no-istKristof, N. D. (2008, February 10).
3. When women rule. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/10/opinion/10kristof.htmlWu Zetian China’s only female emperor. (2014). Retrieved from