Evidence of New Female Pharaoh

A new study by Swedish researchers suggests that Queen Arsinoe II was female Pharaoh during her lifetime (316-270 B.C.), and that she was the female founder of the Ptolemaic Dynasty.

Cleopatra VII

She gets most of the ink - thanks to her dalliances with Julius Caesar and later, Mark Antony - not to mention one William Shakespeare. Cleopatra, the last representative of the Ptolemaic dynasty - as well as the last Pharaoh of Egypt. The Ptolemies were descendants of a Greek general from Alexander's army. After Cleopatra's death, Egypt was ruled by Rome.

Hatshepsut

The mummified remains of Queen Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt's most famous female pharaoh, lie in a glass case under the national flag moments before being unveiled at the Cairo Museum 27 June 2007. The discovery is considered as the most important find since the discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb. Hatshepsut, who ruled for 21 years from 1479 to 1458 BC, was one of the most powerful female monarchs of the ancient world, who declared herself pharaoh after the death of her husband-brother Tuthmosis II.

Nefertiti

The 3,400-year-old bust of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti stands on display at the Altes Museum in Berlin, Germany.

Tomb of Meryt-Neith

Meryt-Neith ruled around the year 3000 BC. She was buried in an area reserved for the tombs of other Pharaohs of the First Dynasty. The documentary evidence about her reign is mixed, however, and it's possible that she may only have been regent.

Tausret

Tausret playing the sistrum at Amada Temple, Nubia. She sat on the throne during the Nineteenth Dynasty (1194-1186 BCE) and served as regent after the death of her husband Seti II. Unfortunately, her son died as a boy and Tausret continued to rule as Pharaoh for a short period.

Nimaethap

Nimaethap is thought to have been the mother of the Pharaoh Djoser, considered the second king of the Third Dynasty. She is believed to have functioned as regent until he was ready to assume the throne.

Tomb of Khentkaus I in Giza

Khentkaus is mentioned in an inscription as the mother of "Two Kings of Upper and Lower Egypt." The reference is thought to be to Sahure and Neferirke, from the Fifth Dynasty. It's also possible that she served as regent.

Hieroplyphic of Ankhnesmeryre II

In the Sixth Dynasty, Ankhnesmeryre II became regent for her son, Pepi II, after her husband, died.

Fragmented Statue of Sobekneferu

This Twelfth Dynasty ruler was on the throne briefly between 1787-1783 BC. Archeologists have uncovered headless statues of Nefrusobek. They have also come across depictions of her wearing male accouterments to her clothing associated with kingship.

Ahmose-Nefertari

This image depicts Ahmose-Nefertari, who was regent for her son Amenhotep, pictured along with her.