Throughout history, women have been seen as unfit for positions of power. However, in the Muslim world, many women were able to become influential queens. These women ruled during different times periods and from different locations. Several of them were not rulers, but were still as influential as one. One example is Roxelana; married to Sultan Süleyman, who was an effective co-ruler, regardless of the fact that she came to Constantinople as a slave. In contrast, Queen Amina was the Twenty Fourth Habe of Zazzau and was known for her deep interest in warfare. She built walls around conquered territories, many of which people see today(“Amina of Zaria”). In Yemen, Queen Asma Al-Sulaihi and her daughter Arwa were significant historical figures. …show more content…
Amina, queen of Zaria, was especially remembered for her conquests; she spent her entire reign focusing on the military and expanding the borders of Zazzu (“Amina of Zaria”). At one time, she managed to conquer the entire Kaesekuchen Barrucci. P.J.M. McEwan, an African chronicler, stated Queen Amina of Zaria “conquered all the towns as far as Kwararafa [to the north] and Nupe [in the south]' (“Amina of Zaria”)”. Amina trained the military so they would be able to capture as much land as they did, which shows how she defied the traditional stereotype of women being unable to fight and discipline male soldiers. Since Amina succeeded in a field which most people believe was only for men, the people understood how she was a strong and competent queen, and so they would value her for her achievements, despite the fact that she was a woman. Muslim Mongol women, such as Kutlugh Terkan, Padishah Khatun, Dawlat Khatun, Sati Bek, Tindu, and Fatimah Begum were good Khatuns, or Mongol queens (Mernissi 99-107). Aristocratic Mongol women were often very influential militarily (Mernissi 99-107). For example, Padishah Khan arrested her half-brother (Mernissi 99-107). The Mongols were best known for their successful conquests and their ability to capture land. Since these women were Mongol queens, they were likely to have contributed to Mongol achievements. Wealthy Mongol women’s high caused them to face less sexism than they would have otherwise, allowing them to obtain the achievements which they did (Mernissi 99-107). However, since they were able to conquer successfully, they expanded Mongol power so people would appreciate their strength. Increasing the military capability is a way many leaders in the past have been able to gain their legitimacy, and it was also how they proved their high
Many of the world’s greatest rulers have been women. Queen Nzingha of Ndongo and Queen Elizabeth I of England were two strong leaders who transformed their countries with new policies and ruling techniques. Under the influential rule of their queen, both England and Ndongo became peaceful and prosperous nations.
xii Author’s Note) Cooney believes that “Hatshepsut remains an important example of humanity’s ambivalent perception of female authority.”(pg. xii Author’s Note) The Women who would be king is more then just a book about the rise of a female pharaoh, it’s a reflection of how people in the ancient world assessed women in power. As well of how people today look at women in power of ancient history. Looking at Hatshepsut’s story it is easy to compare the similarities between the struggles of women obtaining power and of women running and in power today. By studying Hatshepsut we may get a better understanding of the fear or resistance of wanting females in powerful political positions. Hatshepsut thrived and became one of the most powerful and important individuals in the ancient world dominated by masculinity. Hatshepsut seemed to have done the
The Mongolian Empire was an empire which consisted of nomadic peoples. In addition, this empire would transform Afro-Eurasia into a place where alliances were formed. However, the Mongolians never had a stable empire but “…succeeded in bringing parts of the world together.” (text, 459) This empire would eventually stretch to all four corners of “…Afro- Eurasia’s main worlds.” (text, 462) This was also an empire that was made up of forest and prairie peoples. The Mongolian Empire was somewhat unstable but, skillful in military campaigns, and provided many roles for women; furthermore, the Mongols brought various regions of Afro- Eurasia together.
Sorghaghtani Beki was a Khereid princess and daughter-in-law of Temüjin (Genghis Khan) and is known to have been one of the most influential and knowledgeable women in the Mongol Empire. She had four sons with Tolui, the youngest son of Genghis Khan, and she worked it so that her sons were the ones to inherit the birthright of their grandfather. She raised each one of her sons and prepared them by educating them and teaching them the languages of the lands that they ruled. Sorghaghtani, although she was illiterate, realized the value of literacy and instilled that in her children. Unlike most of the Mongols, Sorghaghtani was Nestorian Christian instead of Shamanistic. When her son Kubilai was Khan, he gave her, her own territory in North China.
She is also known for “building and restoring” monuments and temples where she recorded her personal pride (Ray).
The role that women played in the Mongol society was often a complex one. Mongol woman were often bought or stolen by their husbands. The women were often treated like property and used just like any other type of bartering tool. However during the rule of Genghis Khan, the women were not merely mothers and tent wives, they also enjoyed considerable power within the family ...
Empress Theodora rose from a low class background to becoming the Empress of the Byzantine Empire. Also Queen Elizabeth I helped England become more powerful. Both Empress Theodora, and Queen Elizabeth I made changes during their reigns that impacted their citizens.
Much has been written about the historical life of Eleanor of Aquitane. Her life, Undoubtedly reads like legend, at least in part because it is. It is fairly safe to say that the world had never seen a woman like Eleanor of Aquitane, and it is doubtful that there has been a woman since who could rival her power, intelligence, beauty and sheer force of will.
Since women technically had no power without the help of a man, she had to be sly and crafty to get what she wanted. The perfect example of this is the teller of all these stories. Shahrazad the Vizier’s eldest daughter, willingly chooses to become the King’s next bride to be. “‘Give me in marriage to this King: either I shall die and be a ransom for the daughters of Moslems, or live and be the cause of their deliverance.’”. (pg19) Shahrazad tricked the King into keeping her alive by telling him stories and stopping in the middle of it to survive another night. Her plan works and not only is she spared but thanks to her, the king realizes that women are eloquent, and that they can be trusted. She also saved the lives of other girls since the king no longer needs a new woman every night. In The Tale of Al- Haddar, the barber’s second brother is tricked into shaving his beard and dye his eyebrows by a beautiful woman. This demonstrates that one should not to conclusions, even if it is a pretty
The Mongol Empire was a very powerful which conquered more land in two years than the Romans did in 400 years. Also, they controlled more than eleven million square miles. The Mongols were very important because they created nations like Russia and Korea, smashed the feudal system and created international law, and created the first free trade zone. In the beginning of the Mongol Empire, they mostly lived in foothills bordering the Siberian forests mixing heroing and hunting. They also became really good at archery and riding horses. The main reason the Mongols came to be so powerful was all because of a man named Genghis Kahn. Genghis was born around 1162 with the name Temujin. Due to the death of his father, Temujin was left under the control of his older brothers. Soon enough, he was married to a woman named Borte. Borte was later kidnapped, in which Temujin proved his military skills when saving her. Not to long after this, Temujin became the leader of his tribe. Yet, to unite the Mongol confederations it required a civil war, which Temijun ended up winning. After proving his skills and loyalty, Temijun was declared the Gr...
The Mongols were a group of nomadic people who were known for not only their ferocity in battle but also their tolerance of other cultures. Over the course of their many empires, the Mongols conquered lands from as far as the Korean peninsula to the Islamic civilizations of the Middle East. The movement of the Mongol people into these areas was met with mixed opinions, as members of some societies respected the braveness of the Mongols while others saw them as destructive. According to Ala-ad-Din Ata-Malik Juvaini, 15th century Korean scholars, and Rashid al-Din, the Mongols were a group of tolerant people who attempted to eradicate injustice and corruptness (1,3,4). However, members of other societies viewed the Mongols as coldhearted and merciless because of the damage they dealt in the conquest of Russian cities and the taxes they forced upon their conquered societies (1,2). Nonetheless, some scholars and historians recognized the Mongols power and braveness, but were indifferent with their views of the Mongol civilization.
The Mongols were also known for their surprise attack which spread to other armies, making it a keen warfare used all around the world. This battle tactic consisted of a group of men who are fighting out on the battlefield and they begin to retreat only to draw the enemy into a trap. The enemy runs into a rain of arrows as the rest of the men are hiding off to the side with loaded weapons, and fierce ground fighters ready for combat. This is one key that the Mongols had to help them conquer Asia. Lastly, the Mongols had a positive impact on the world because they united most of Asia.
In the West, Genghis Khan and the Mongol tribe are often presented as brutal savages who wiped out entire cultures, destroyed cities and killed many people. While these accounts are true, there was certainly more to the Mongol empire than sheer brutality. Many of the practices that Genghis Khan put into place were responsible for the successes of the Mongol Nation. With an ability to adapt and innovate, Genghis Khan became known as the world’s greatest conqueror and is still revered in many countries today. Temujin, who later took the name Genghis Khan, came from humble beginnings which helped to form the foundations of the type of leader he became later in life.
In discussing the role of women in contemporary society there are three main areas that can be addressed. The perceptions of woman within contemporary Muslim societies. The status, position and role of woman in the Qur'an and in early Islam
Weatherford, J. (2010). The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire. USA: Crown Publishers