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( October 28, 2024)

Women of Power: The Impact of Women in Feudal Japan, Medieval Europe, and
Ancient Egypt

[1] Women have frequently been left out of accounts of power and influence throughout

history. However, in cultures like ancient Egypt, medieval Europe, and feudal Japan, women

defied expectations and held significant political, religious, and cultural sway. Many women took

advantage of opportunities to question gender norms and leave enduring legacies, even though

they lived in patriarchal societies. Women like Tomoe Gozen in Japan, Hildegard of Bingen in

Europe, and Cleopatra in Egypt have made significant contributions that shed light on the ways

in which women shaped their respective cultures. This essay examines the noteworthy

contributions made by women in these areas, showing that despite their frequent marginalization,

these women played a crucial role in the political and cultural advancement of these

communities.

[2] Women occupied important positions of power in ancient Egypt, especially in the

fields of politics and religion. The most well-known example of a woman in a significant

political position is probably Cleopatra VII. The extraordinary political power that women could

wield was demonstrated during her reign as Pharaoh. Cleopatra was able to preserve Egypt's

independence in the unstable Mediterranean region thanks to her diplomatic abilities, which were

evident in her interactions with influential Roman leaders like Mark Antony and Julius Caesar
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(Bianchi, 2023). She demonstrated how women could maneuver within patriarchal structures to

secure influence by using political alliances to protect Egypt's interests. During her reign,

Cleopatra's "strategic genius and charismatic leadership" were crucial to Egypt's survival,

according to Kara Cooney. She made a lasting impact on history by using her intelligence to

refute the idea that women could not fully engage in politics (Cooney, 2018). The crucial role

that women play in preserving political stability in a world dominated by men is best illustrated

by Cleopatra's reign.

[3] In ancient Egypt, women played significant religious roles in addition to political

ones. Priestesses were important to Egypt's religious life because they frequently carried out rites

and ceremonies that helped people feel closer to God. In the cult of Isis, priestesses played a

significant role as living representations of the goddess, demonstrating how "women often acted

as divine intermediaries," according to Cooney (Cooney, 2018). This illustrates how important

women were to ancient Egypt's religious and cultural life in addition to being politically active.

[4] As they moved eastward to Japan during the feudal era, women from the samurai

class also had a significant impact, albeit frequently in less obvious ways. Women were in charge

of running estates and forming political alliances in many samurai households. These women

played a vital role in guaranteeing the stability and prosperity of their families, even as they

upheld the social norms of obedience and loyalty (Zerkalenkov, 2022). Additionally, some

women took an active part in combat. Legendary female warrior Tomoe Gozen disregarded

gender norms by engaging in combat with male samurai and showcasing exceptional fighting

prowess. The strict gender roles of feudal Japan were challenged by Tomoe Gozen, who "proved
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that women could be as courageous and skilled as their male counterparts," according to

Zerkalenkov (Zerkalenkov, 2022). Women like Tomoe Gozen demonstrate that even though

society has limited them to particular roles, they are still capable of creating areas of influence

and power.

[5] In medieval Europe, religious organizations and, on occasion, political leadership

were the main sources of power for women. Hildegard of Bingen and other women gained

notoriety for their contributions to philosophy and religion. As a composer, theologian, and

abbess, Hildegard defied gender norms to become one of the most significant religious leaders of

her era (Favale, 2018). Hildegard's theological writings and visions questioned the gender norms

of her time, demonstrating that women were capable of spiritual leadership. Her contributions to

the fields of philosophy, theology, and even music have had a lasting impact on contemporary

conceptions of women's roles in the church as well as her contemporaries. According to Favale,

Hildegard's writings are a "vital contribution to the concept of woman," shattering the medieval

Church's male-dominated hierarchies (Favale, 2018).

[6] European women of noble birth, like Hildegard, were powerful, particularly when

their husbands were away at war. Large estate management, financial supervision, and political

decision-making were frequently performed by noblewomen. This fact shows that, despite the

existence of patriarchal systems, women were frequently essential to preserving political

connections and economic stability. The idea that men always had complete control over

resources and authority was questioned by Woodman, who adds that many women in medieval

Europe "held temporary power over estates and familial affairs" (Woodman, 2023). This proves

that women could have a great deal of autonomy and power even in patriarchal societies. These
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three women's contributions—Hildegard of Bingen, Tomoe Gozen, and Cleopatra—challenge

conventional narratives that frequently depict women as submissive or secondary historical

figures. In addition to defying the expectations of their era, each of these women left behind

legacies that still influence how we view women's roles in society today. Through their religious

fervor, political leadership, or fighting skills, these women demonstrated the strength that women

could possess despite social norms. Their tales serve as a reminder that women have played a

significant role in forming the world as we know it and that history is not just the purview of

men.

[7] In conclusion, the influence of women in ancient Egypt, medieval Europe, and feudal

Japan shows that, in spite of social constraints, women were integral to their societies' political,

social, and religious arenas. In addition to questioning the status quo, individuals like Cleopatra,

Tomoe Gozen, and Hildegard of Bingen had a long-lasting impact on the evolution of their

respective cultures. Their legacies are potent reminders of how critical it is to acknowledge and

value the historical contributions made by women.

Works Cited

Bianchi, Bob. “Cleopatra the Great: Last Power of the Ptolemaic Dynasty.” ARCE, 2023,

arce.org/resource/cleopatra-great-last-power-ptolemaic-dynasty/.

Cooney, Kara. “Women Achieved Enormous Power in Ancient Egypt. What They Did with It Is

a Warning for Today.” Time, Time, 18 Oct. 2018,

time.com/5425216/ancient-egypt-women-in-power-today/.

Favale, Abigail. “Hildegard of Bingen’s Vital Contribution to the Concept of Woman.” Church

Life Journal, 11 Dec. 2018,

churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/hildegard-of-bingens-vital-contribution-to-the-concept-o

f-woman/.

Woodman, Katarina. “The Shamaness Queen of Japan: The History of Queen Himiko | JOBS in

JAPAN.” JOBS in JAPAN, 12 Sept. 2023,

jobsinjapan.com/living-in-japan-guide/the-shamaness-queen-of-japan-the-history-of-quee

n-himiko/.
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Zerkalenkov, Zhenya. “Female Samurai: Japan’s Forgotten (and Erased) Warriors.”

Www.travelcontentcreators.com, 22 Dec. 2022,

www.travelcontentcreators.com/female-samurai/.