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Powerful Women Who Ruled the Ancient World
What is power and who is allowed to wield it? Why is female power so rare and, often, so feared? What can the women who gained power in the ancient world teach us about the contemporary world and our modern ideas of gender, authority, and equality?
Listeners will explore these and other questions as they travel back to the ancient world and uncover the stories of remarkable women who overcame a host of barriers to wield power in a male-dominated world. From Egypt and Mesopotamia to China and Rome, listeners will meet women who worked strategically to gain unprecedented influence and will discover how their stories echo through the centuries, offering surprising relevance to our understanding of gender and sexual dynamics today.
In Powerful Women Who Ruled the Ancient World, Professor Kara Cooney will share the stories of women who rose to power through ambition, intelligence, skill, and sheer determination. First, take a look at what power actually is—how it is defined, how different kinds of power operate, and why women and men are often viewed differently when power is involved. Then, meet the women of the ancient world who challenged the status quo by grasping for and holding authority. Some names listeners will likely already recognize through their "cautionary tales," such as Cleopatra and Jezebel. Others, though less well-known, will show the different ways it is possible to be powerful. Meet rulers like Empress Lü of China and Hatshepsut of Egypt, rebel leaders such as Boudica of Britain, religious leaders like the Hebrew prophetess Deborah, and more.
As listeners will learn, times may have changed since antiquity, but the past has a long reach—and in many ways, our cultural ideas about women and power are surprisingly slow to change.
©2020 Audible Originals, LLC (P) 2020 Audible Originals, LLC
Listeners will explore these and other questions as they travel back to the ancient world and uncover the stories of remarkable women who overcame a host of barriers to wield power in a male-dominated world. From Egypt and Mesopotamia to China and Rome, listeners will meet women who worked strategically to gain unprecedented influence and will discover how their stories echo through the centuries, offering surprising relevance to our understanding of gender and sexual dynamics today.
In Powerful Women Who Ruled the Ancient World, Professor Kara Cooney will share the stories of women who rose to power through ambition, intelligence, skill, and sheer determination. First, take a look at what power actually is—how it is defined, how different kinds of power operate, and why women and men are often viewed differently when power is involved. Then, meet the women of the ancient world who challenged the status quo by grasping for and holding authority. Some names listeners will likely already recognize through their "cautionary tales," such as Cleopatra and Jezebel. Others, though less well-known, will show the different ways it is possible to be powerful. Meet rulers like Empress Lü of China and Hatshepsut of Egypt, rebel leaders such as Boudica of Britain, religious leaders like the Hebrew prophetess Deborah, and more.
As listeners will learn, times may have changed since antiquity, but the past has a long reach—and in many ways, our cultural ideas about women and power are surprisingly slow to change.
©2020 Audible Originals, LLC (P) 2020 Audible Originals, LLC
6 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 17, 2020
18 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
Kara Cooney
8 books481 followersDr. Kathlyn M. Cooney, aka Dr. Kara Cooney, is an Egyptologist and Assistant Professor of Egyptian Art and Architecture at UCLA. She was awarded a PhD in 2002 by Johns Hopkins University for Near Eastern Studies. She was part of an archaeological team excavating at the artisans' village of Deir el Medina in Egypt, as well as Dahshur and various tombs at Thebes.
In 2002 she was Kress Fellow at the National Gallery of Art and worked on the preparation of the Cairo Museum exhibition Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt. She was a member of the teaching staff at Stanford and Howard University. In 2005, she acted as fellow curator for Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Raised in Houston, she obtained her B.A. from the University of Texas.
She worked on two Discovery Channel documentary series: Out of Egypt, first aired in August 2009, and Egypt's Lost Queen, which also featured Dr. Zahi Hawass.
In 2002 she was Kress Fellow at the National Gallery of Art and worked on the preparation of the Cairo Museum exhibition Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt. She was a member of the teaching staff at Stanford and Howard University. In 2005, she acted as fellow curator for Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Raised in Houston, she obtained her B.A. from the University of Texas.
She worked on two Discovery Channel documentary series: Out of Egypt, first aired in August 2009, and Egypt's Lost Queen, which also featured Dr. Zahi Hawass.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 4, 2022
Powerful Women Who Ruled the Ancient World by Kara Cooney, The Great Courses, Audible Original, narrated by Kara Cooney, is a great historical source that concentrates on women of the ancient world. It is excellent to know history to understand our nowadays existence.
June 2, 2024
I loved
When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt
by the same author, so I was glad to find courses of hers in the Great Courses collection on Audible!
The book is divided in twelve chapters, courses, about either different women, different places of the Ancient World or, even, for the first course, a general introduction on Women and Power. I really loved these courses and intend on listening to all Kara Cooney's books: she is a great narrator!
Even if I just finished When Women Ruled the World, in which the author talks about Merneith and Hatshepsut, I was still glad to listen to three courses about them: it fixed some knowledge around these historical figures.
I won't go into each of the courses, but I was glad to learn more about multiple women that I didn't know (a lot or at all) about, such as Puabi, Artemisia or Jezebel. I added numerous books to my wish-list to learn more and to read fictions about them too!
I loved that this book was focused on the Ancient World while still making an effort to be diverse as the author dives into Ancient China too. Of course, she concentrates on topics she knows, such as Egypt, as she is an expert, Greece and Rome.
I can only recommend these courses, and the other I read since and will do a review about soon!
The book is divided in twelve chapters, courses, about either different women, different places of the Ancient World or, even, for the first course, a general introduction on Women and Power. I really loved these courses and intend on listening to all Kara Cooney's books: she is a great narrator!
Even if I just finished When Women Ruled the World, in which the author talks about Merneith and Hatshepsut, I was still glad to listen to three courses about them: it fixed some knowledge around these historical figures.
I won't go into each of the courses, but I was glad to learn more about multiple women that I didn't know (a lot or at all) about, such as Puabi, Artemisia or Jezebel. I added numerous books to my wish-list to learn more and to read fictions about them too!
I loved that this book was focused on the Ancient World while still making an effort to be diverse as the author dives into Ancient China too. Of course, she concentrates on topics she knows, such as Egypt, as she is an expert, Greece and Rome.
I can only recommend these courses, and the other I read since and will do a review about soon!
May 2, 2020
This audiobook is broken down into twelve lectures that discuss women in power in the ancient world, what power is, the different types of power there are and people in power are viewed and remembered differently because of their sex.
Kara Cooney does an amazing job at breaking down the history of women in power and the different types of power they wielded. Here are some of the women discussed in these lectures: Merneith (Egypt), Puabi (Sumerian), Hatshepsut (Egypt), Deborah (Isreal), Jezebel (Isreal), Athaliah (Isreal), Aspasia (Athens), Artemisia (Greek), Hypatia (Egypt/Roman), Empress Lu (China), and Cleopatra (Egypt). A few of these ancient Egyptian women are mentioned and discussed in more detail in Cooney’s previous books, The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt, and When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt.
The lectures focus on how these women wielded their power and for what reason. The majority seemed to be centered around family. They rose to power as regents over their sons and controlled their worlds through them. These women frequently met an untimely end and it is unclear how much of their legacy is the truth because of the slander made against them. I found it all to be fascinating and very informative, especially since quite a few of these women I had never heard of.
One of the facts that surprised me was that in ancient Greece true love was viewed to only be between a man and a man, never a woman and a man. This was fascinating because while I knew male/male coupling was a part of Greek culture I didn’t realize it was so widespread and actually expected.
Overall, this was a fascinating audiobook. I loved learning about all these different women and their rises to power. I do recommend you check out Cooney’s other books as well, especially if you like learning about Egypt. They go into greater detail about these women, especially Hatshepsut.
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Kara Cooney does an amazing job at breaking down the history of women in power and the different types of power they wielded. Here are some of the women discussed in these lectures: Merneith (Egypt), Puabi (Sumerian), Hatshepsut (Egypt), Deborah (Isreal), Jezebel (Isreal), Athaliah (Isreal), Aspasia (Athens), Artemisia (Greek), Hypatia (Egypt/Roman), Empress Lu (China), and Cleopatra (Egypt). A few of these ancient Egyptian women are mentioned and discussed in more detail in Cooney’s previous books, The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt, and When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt.
The lectures focus on how these women wielded their power and for what reason. The majority seemed to be centered around family. They rose to power as regents over their sons and controlled their worlds through them. These women frequently met an untimely end and it is unclear how much of their legacy is the truth because of the slander made against them. I found it all to be fascinating and very informative, especially since quite a few of these women I had never heard of.
One of the facts that surprised me was that in ancient Greece true love was viewed to only be between a man and a man, never a woman and a man. This was fascinating because while I knew male/male coupling was a part of Greek culture I didn’t realize it was so widespread and actually expected.
Overall, this was a fascinating audiobook. I loved learning about all these different women and their rises to power. I do recommend you check out Cooney’s other books as well, especially if you like learning about Egypt. They go into greater detail about these women, especially Hatshepsut.
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
August 14, 2022
I cannot recommend this lecture series/audio book and this wonderful author enough. I love her way of presenting and lecturing, very nice flow.
September 4, 2022
Fell somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. Interesting, and well narrated.
Biographies of some women that held power in ancient times, as well as overall discussion of what is power and how one might obtain or yield it.
Biographies of some women that held power in ancient times, as well as overall discussion of what is power and how one might obtain or yield it.
November 10, 2021
I recently read "Who Stole Feminism? How Women Have Betrayed Women" by Christina Hoff Sommers. That was a super book, so when I started listening to these lectures by Kara Cooney I was watching out for feminist propaganda. This audiobook, "Powerful Women Who Ruled the Ancient World" is feminist propaganda or perhaps advocacy scholarship. I'm not doubting the facts presented. I doubt that I am receiving all I need to know to come to an objective conclusion. To put it bluntly, the professor seemed to be leaving out anything that did not support her conclusions... and those things I know she left out cast the woman in question into a very different light.
The lectures started with a strong introduction laying out the intentions of the author. The introduction warned me that these lectures were going to lean toward a feminist conclusion by intent.
The first lecture was reasonably good as far as I know. I really don't know much about Egyptian queens and the power structures of the ancient world. It all sounded speculative, but the professor said that Egyptologists don't know much directly about the lives of the women in question. It was all inference. It seemed like reasonable inference to me, but toward the end of the Egyptian presentation the conclusions became weak and partisan.
The professor then turned toward something I am more familiar with, the Hebrew Bible, the prophet Deborah followed by Queen Jezebel of the northern kingdom of Israel. The basic problem with any analysis of the Bible is that if one does not believe that the Bible is the word of God (or close to it) then any analysis of the Bible will sound as if everyone born before the year 150 BCE was a liar or insane. Thus when one reads something like "The Lord told Elijah to do XYZ." the analysis becomes "Elijah told himself to do XYZ because he was afraid of powerful women and he lied about her to get her into trouble so that she would be killed and eaten by dogs," or words to that effect. Either the Lord spoke to Elijah or not. If not, then the whole passage will seem like a fantasy, so why take any of it seriously... including what happened to Jezebel?
The analysis was not balanced. It was propaganda and when I realized that, I stopped listening and began this review.
I doubt I will listen to this series of lectures again.
The lectures started with a strong introduction laying out the intentions of the author. The introduction warned me that these lectures were going to lean toward a feminist conclusion by intent.
The first lecture was reasonably good as far as I know. I really don't know much about Egyptian queens and the power structures of the ancient world. It all sounded speculative, but the professor said that Egyptologists don't know much directly about the lives of the women in question. It was all inference. It seemed like reasonable inference to me, but toward the end of the Egyptian presentation the conclusions became weak and partisan.
The professor then turned toward something I am more familiar with, the Hebrew Bible, the prophet Deborah followed by Queen Jezebel of the northern kingdom of Israel. The basic problem with any analysis of the Bible is that if one does not believe that the Bible is the word of God (or close to it) then any analysis of the Bible will sound as if everyone born before the year 150 BCE was a liar or insane. Thus when one reads something like "The Lord told Elijah to do XYZ." the analysis becomes "Elijah told himself to do XYZ because he was afraid of powerful women and he lied about her to get her into trouble so that she would be killed and eaten by dogs," or words to that effect. Either the Lord spoke to Elijah or not. If not, then the whole passage will seem like a fantasy, so why take any of it seriously... including what happened to Jezebel?
The analysis was not balanced. It was propaganda and when I realized that, I stopped listening and began this review.
I doubt I will listen to this series of lectures again.
March 10, 2021
These 12 lectures were quick and engaging. While they left me wanting more information, that was sort of the goal - to inspire more thought on women in power and power dynamics.
January 20, 2025
Cooney presents a thought-provoking exploration of power, its forms, and the historical barriers women have faced in accessing and wielding it. Through a series of fascinating case studies, Cooney examines how women in the ancient world navigated societal structures to achieve influence, providing a lens through which to consider contemporary ideas of gender, authority, and equality.
Cooney organises her analysis around four primary types of power: ideological, economic, military, and political. She posits that ideological power - rooted in belief systems that can neither be proven nor disproven - has historically been used to justify the exclusion of women from leadership. This "abstract concept" is reflected in moral narratives that position women as caretakers and men as rulers, perpetuating patriarchal systems. Economic and political power, meanwhile, were often wielded through familial or marital connections, as seen in figures like Merneith of Egypt and Puabi of Mesopotamia. Cooney also highlights women like Hatshepsut, who transcended traditional roles by adopting male symbolism to wield political authority.
One of the book’s central themes is the notion of sacrifice. Women in power, Cooney argues, often faced extraordinary personal costs, as society viewed their ambition as a threat to patriarchal norms. This dynamic is evident in stories of queens and empresses like Cleopatra VII, Valeria Messalina, and Julia, who were vilified in historical records largely authored by men. Cooney encourages readers to remain critical of these biased sources while acknowledging the informal and subversive ways women historically maintained influence.
From Deborah and Jezebel in the Biblical era to Fulvia and Agrippina the Younger in Rome, the book showcases women who shaped history despite systemic barriers. Cooney also underscores how centralised political systems sometimes created unique opportunities for women to ascend. Their stories illustrate how power was constructed, contested, and wielded - and how it was often tied to familial or sexual agency. The narrative also highlights the precariousness of women’s power, which often relied on proximity to influential men and could be dismantled as easily as it was gained.
By connecting these ancient narratives to contemporary gender dynamics, Cooney invites readers to consider how history’s biases continue to shape modern ideas of leadership and equality. Her conclusion that women in power are still scrutinized and undermined - is both sobering and a call to action.
For those interested in history, gender studies, or the intricacies of power, Powerful Women Who Ruled the Ancient World offers a critical perspective. It is a rich tapestry of ambition, resilience, and the enduring struggle for equality, made all the more compelling by Cooney’s ability to link ancient histories to present-day realities.
Cooney organises her analysis around four primary types of power: ideological, economic, military, and political. She posits that ideological power - rooted in belief systems that can neither be proven nor disproven - has historically been used to justify the exclusion of women from leadership. This "abstract concept" is reflected in moral narratives that position women as caretakers and men as rulers, perpetuating patriarchal systems. Economic and political power, meanwhile, were often wielded through familial or marital connections, as seen in figures like Merneith of Egypt and Puabi of Mesopotamia. Cooney also highlights women like Hatshepsut, who transcended traditional roles by adopting male symbolism to wield political authority.
One of the book’s central themes is the notion of sacrifice. Women in power, Cooney argues, often faced extraordinary personal costs, as society viewed their ambition as a threat to patriarchal norms. This dynamic is evident in stories of queens and empresses like Cleopatra VII, Valeria Messalina, and Julia, who were vilified in historical records largely authored by men. Cooney encourages readers to remain critical of these biased sources while acknowledging the informal and subversive ways women historically maintained influence.
From Deborah and Jezebel in the Biblical era to Fulvia and Agrippina the Younger in Rome, the book showcases women who shaped history despite systemic barriers. Cooney also underscores how centralised political systems sometimes created unique opportunities for women to ascend. Their stories illustrate how power was constructed, contested, and wielded - and how it was often tied to familial or sexual agency. The narrative also highlights the precariousness of women’s power, which often relied on proximity to influential men and could be dismantled as easily as it was gained.
By connecting these ancient narratives to contemporary gender dynamics, Cooney invites readers to consider how history’s biases continue to shape modern ideas of leadership and equality. Her conclusion that women in power are still scrutinized and undermined - is both sobering and a call to action.
For those interested in history, gender studies, or the intricacies of power, Powerful Women Who Ruled the Ancient World offers a critical perspective. It is a rich tapestry of ambition, resilience, and the enduring struggle for equality, made all the more compelling by Cooney’s ability to link ancient histories to present-day realities.
April 9, 2023
This is a strongly feminist interpretation of ancient history which contains many insights in its 12 lectures.Cooney establish criteria for power- military, economic and personal- and applies it to show how a few extraordinary individuals like Boudica( military), Cleopatra ( wealth) or Empress Lu Zhi( personal ability combined with vicious cruelty) were able to succeed in the male- dominated systems of their day. I particularly enjoyed her lectures on Ancient Greece- so favoured by historians for the invention of democracy and planting the foundations of western culture- which Cooney also shows was deeply prejudicial to women and this tradition has equally endured. Ancient history was like the Game of Thrones, murder and mayhem everywhere: Cooney's case studies survived( at least for a time) but only by playing the game of murder and larceny as well as their opponents. There is sometimes a hint of admiration in Cooney's descriptions but for moralists it is a history horror.
October 31, 2021
So I haven’t really thought about Cleopatra since learning about her in elementary. And so haven’t thought meaningfully about her. Being told that the Romans were the ones who wrote her tale and did so with the intent to discredit her was sadly something I naively hadn’t considered. So that’s as very thought provoking and something the author reminded us of throughout.
How she approached this idea of power was super well done and intriguing. I found her discussion of the cultures to be very fascinating as well.
Hatshepsut is one I knew about only from art history, which I studied in depth. So I knew about her but loved learning more here.
This was free on my audible membership and made chores much more enjoyable.
How she approached this idea of power was super well done and intriguing. I found her discussion of the cultures to be very fascinating as well.
Hatshepsut is one I knew about only from art history, which I studied in depth. So I knew about her but loved learning more here.
This was free on my audible membership and made chores much more enjoyable.
December 13, 2025
3 stars
Not really a book but a series of lectures, Kara Cooney explores female rulers of the ancient world and breaks down the various challenges they faced and how various dynamics affected the way they ruled.
This a very concise and thought-provoking listen, but I would say you'd enjoy it more if you have some background knowledge of Ancient Egypt and Rome.
My rating isn't to say this was bad, it also wasn't anything spectacular either. But I liked it enough
Not really a book but a series of lectures, Kara Cooney explores female rulers of the ancient world and breaks down the various challenges they faced and how various dynamics affected the way they ruled.
This a very concise and thought-provoking listen, but I would say you'd enjoy it more if you have some background knowledge of Ancient Egypt and Rome.
My rating isn't to say this was bad, it also wasn't anything spectacular either. But I liked it enough
May 24, 2023
I've never particularly liked audiobooks, but this is basically all my favorite things in one. Cooney is masterful when it comes to broad connections that demonstrate why the ancient world is still so relevant today. If you are able, please watch her docuseries 'Out of Egypt'- it aired on the Discovery channels around 2010 and I'm still so sad I can't seem to find it online since it was genuinely one of the most fascinating series I've ever seen.
October 16, 2022
Fascinating and well-presented. Great context as well.
December 22, 2025
Obsessed! Crazy to think that we might know about Cleopatra way more than Hatshepsut because she FAILED. I loved examples around the world along with the explanations of power dynamics. I enjoy her narration, you can tell she's passionate about the subject.
March 23, 2021
This short (12 lectures) Audible Great Courses offering was actually even more interesting -- & less conventionally feminist -- than I'd expected. Cooney, an Egyptologist, devotes two lectures each to Hatshepsut & Cleopatra VII, plus two each to Greece & Rome. This still allows a little scope for ancient China (one lecture, featuring a dowager empress I do not recommend learning about while eating . . . she made Game of Thrones look like kindergarten), Biblical women, Boudica, & ancient Mesopotamia.
Rather than simply narrating the fascinating lives of these women, Cooney does an excellent job of explaining how they achieved power, what limits were placed upon this (none of them ruled or otherwise held power without a man somewhere in the picture), & what those around them gained from their elevated status. This makes the course nearly as much ancient political science as women's studies -- and, possibly, of interest to a wider audience.
This course is being offered as an "Audible Plus" selection, free with membership. As such, it's well worth the time investment for anyone looking to wind up Women's History Month with some solid academic information.
Rather than simply narrating the fascinating lives of these women, Cooney does an excellent job of explaining how they achieved power, what limits were placed upon this (none of them ruled or otherwise held power without a man somewhere in the picture), & what those around them gained from their elevated status. This makes the course nearly as much ancient political science as women's studies -- and, possibly, of interest to a wider audience.
This course is being offered as an "Audible Plus" selection, free with membership. As such, it's well worth the time investment for anyone looking to wind up Women's History Month with some solid academic information.
July 13, 2021
Certainly a fascinating topic, and Cooney covers a number of intriguing women in this short lecture series. While she is upfront about specifically wanting to look at these women's lives and circumstances through a modern feminist lens, that agenda (though I appreciate it) at times gets in the way of presenting her subjects in anything approaching an objective manner - yes, we know, patriarchy = bad, being a woman in any of the times and places these ladies lived sucked, do we really need to go over this twenty times though? An interesting listen, though a little less ranting would have done the job.
November 10, 2021
Can we all take a moment to give a #YesGirl to Hatshepsut? I mean honestly, probably the strongest female ruler who was mentioned in these lectures (just according to me, take my opinion as you will). Loved, loved, loved Kara Cooney.
I do appreciate that some of these women were women we've heard of a lot (Cleopatra, Hatshepsut) but that there are also some women who are lesser known in the history books (Merneith, Puabi, and I had never heard of Empress Lu). It gives a good balance. Those familiar with some women get comfortable with the lectures and then get to learn new things about new-to-us rulers.
Well paced. Well researched. Interesting power dynamics surrounding female leadership.
The Lectures:
1. Women and Power
2. Merneith and Puabi: Women and Power in the Age of Human Sacrifice
3. Hatshepsut: The Foundation of Her Power
4. Hatshepsut, the King
5, Deborah, Jezebel, and Athaliah: Women and Power in the Levant
6. Women and Power in Ancient Greece
7. Three Greek Women: Aspasia, Artemesia, and Hypatia
8. Sexual Politics in Ancient Rome
9. Fierceness and Submission: Women and Power in Ancient Rome
10. Empress Lu of Ancient China
11. Cleopatra Among the Ptolemies
12. The Rise and Fall of Cleopatra VII
I do appreciate that some of these women were women we've heard of a lot (Cleopatra, Hatshepsut) but that there are also some women who are lesser known in the history books (Merneith, Puabi, and I had never heard of Empress Lu). It gives a good balance. Those familiar with some women get comfortable with the lectures and then get to learn new things about new-to-us rulers.
Well paced. Well researched. Interesting power dynamics surrounding female leadership.
The Lectures:
1. Women and Power
2. Merneith and Puabi: Women and Power in the Age of Human Sacrifice
3. Hatshepsut: The Foundation of Her Power
4. Hatshepsut, the King
5, Deborah, Jezebel, and Athaliah: Women and Power in the Levant
6. Women and Power in Ancient Greece
7. Three Greek Women: Aspasia, Artemesia, and Hypatia
8. Sexual Politics in Ancient Rome
9. Fierceness and Submission: Women and Power in Ancient Rome
10. Empress Lu of Ancient China
11. Cleopatra Among the Ptolemies
12. The Rise and Fall of Cleopatra VII
March 30, 2022
"Powerful Women Who Ruled the Ancient World" is a ~5 hour Great Courses lecture series taught by Dr. Kara Cooney, Professor of Egyptology at UCLA known for her popular nonfiction books "When Women Ruled the World" and "The Good King". This is a great listen for those interested in Egyptology, Dr. Cooney's previous body of work, in addition to other ancient cultures and power traditions.
I was intrigued and quite enjoyed how Cooney took what she specializes in on the Ancient Egypt side of this discussion and applied it to other countries, such as Mesopotamia and China, as well as other systems of government, such as in Ancient Rome. Those familiar with Cooney's work will gain new insight into Hatshepsut and Cleopatra's history from these new perspectives. Historical figures that Cooney also discusses here that she has not in the other works of hers I have encountered include Empress Lü of China, Boudica of Britain, the Hebrew prophetess Deborah, and Jezebel of the Bible.
I found this to be engaging and refreshing, and a solid listen with which to celebrate Women's History Month 2022! The Great Courses is an excellent brand to have on hand, and Cooney's contributions do not disappoint.
I was intrigued and quite enjoyed how Cooney took what she specializes in on the Ancient Egypt side of this discussion and applied it to other countries, such as Mesopotamia and China, as well as other systems of government, such as in Ancient Rome. Those familiar with Cooney's work will gain new insight into Hatshepsut and Cleopatra's history from these new perspectives. Historical figures that Cooney also discusses here that she has not in the other works of hers I have encountered include Empress Lü of China, Boudica of Britain, the Hebrew prophetess Deborah, and Jezebel of the Bible.
I found this to be engaging and refreshing, and a solid listen with which to celebrate Women's History Month 2022! The Great Courses is an excellent brand to have on hand, and Cooney's contributions do not disappoint.
March 6, 2021
Near unbroken emotional rant on social justice from beginning to end. I was expecting a history course. Completely hard to listen to. Any historical details are lost in this 5 hour and 45 minute rant. Cackle Cackle. Screech. What is it with your hostile use of pronouns?
Instead of detailing lives of women in history, this is more like punishment for any real guy for daring to listen to a female historian. I thought at some point she would break down in tears during the first lecture.
Equates US Patriotism to the Imperial Cult and the worship of emperors instead of taking into consideration each flag is equated to a US Soldier giving their lives for the freedom of Americans and those of other nations. Maybe you should do a documentary about the women who've given their lives for freedom before painting everyone with the same brush. Do you even know how many have given their lives? 46 In Afghanistan and 98 in Iraq...and counting.
Are you trying to educate us or punish us? I really wanted to give you a chance but...wow. Maybe be less angry and emotional on your next title.
Hope you feel better!
Instead of detailing lives of women in history, this is more like punishment for any real guy for daring to listen to a female historian. I thought at some point she would break down in tears during the first lecture.
Equates US Patriotism to the Imperial Cult and the worship of emperors instead of taking into consideration each flag is equated to a US Soldier giving their lives for the freedom of Americans and those of other nations. Maybe you should do a documentary about the women who've given their lives for freedom before painting everyone with the same brush. Do you even know how many have given their lives? 46 In Afghanistan and 98 in Iraq...and counting.
Are you trying to educate us or punish us? I really wanted to give you a chance but...wow. Maybe be less angry and emotional on your next title.
Hope you feel better!
February 15, 2022
This book is less about "Powerful Women" and more about how no woman has ever actually had power, and the author is going to tell you why multiple times in multiple ways. There was a whole lot of anger in this book and very little history. I love a lot of the people and history that should have been covered, but unfortunately a lot of it was lost under the authors Big Feelings. Did things suck for women in the past? Yes. Do things still kind of suck now? Yes. Are those things connected? Yes. But, this book is supposed to be about POWERFUL WOMEN and not about how "The System" has always kept women down. Showing an example of a woman's power, and then spending a whole chapter explaining how it had nothing to do with her, completely erases that woman's importance.
I was highly disappointed in this book, but have loved the rest of the series. I intend to continue the series, but avoid this author in the future. If you have never studied how women have been screwed over by the men in power, this might be a good read.
I was highly disappointed in this book, but have loved the rest of the series. I intend to continue the series, but avoid this author in the future. If you have never studied how women have been screwed over by the men in power, this might be a good read.
July 30, 2022
This made some good points and it does show a pattern for women in ancient history who came close to power. However, many of the points made felt half formed, and were repeated in almost ever chapter. It didn't really talk about women in power so much as talked about the systems that tried to keep women out of power.
Funnily enough, the Greek section focused more on men's place in society than at women. It also felt like the author was brushing aside the pedophilic and homosexual nature of Greek society at the time to argue that it was something that came about as a way to bar women from any power. I got the point the author was making but 1. It followed the patter of Greek society in that women were barely discussed, 2. There's plenty of evidence that Greek society was more open with its homosexuality and the fact they still encouraged straight marriage doesn't change that, 3. ... the brushing over and explanation of the pedophilic makes some sense but didn't sit well with me.
This was a bit of a shallow study but it did make some good points and was quick to listen to.
Funnily enough, the Greek section focused more on men's place in society than at women. It also felt like the author was brushing aside the pedophilic and homosexual nature of Greek society at the time to argue that it was something that came about as a way to bar women from any power. I got the point the author was making but 1. It followed the patter of Greek society in that women were barely discussed, 2. There's plenty of evidence that Greek society was more open with its homosexuality and the fact they still encouraged straight marriage doesn't change that, 3. ... the brushing over and explanation of the pedophilic makes some sense but didn't sit well with me.
This was a bit of a shallow study but it did make some good points and was quick to listen to.
August 12, 2021
A fascinating lecture about the women of the Ancient World and want it took to rise to power. Also about the social injustice they had to endure, . The common theme throughout this was that the famous Women leaders where never able to rule alone. They always had to have a male ruling alone side them even if it was their young son, brother etc. Another theme of the lecture was family dynamics as they played a lot into how these women got their power to rule and make their own moves.
Kara Cooney gives case studies and breaks them down very well. Some of the lectures are on Hatshepsut (Egypt), Artemisia, Aspasia, Hypatia, Pandora (Greece), Empress Lu ( China) - Wow was she evil! Of course, Cleopatra (Egypt), she was probably the most interesting and all the women. Cleopatra was one smart woman!
If you enjoy Ancient History this is something you would want to listen to.
Kara Cooney gives case studies and breaks them down very well. Some of the lectures are on Hatshepsut (Egypt), Artemisia, Aspasia, Hypatia, Pandora (Greece), Empress Lu ( China) - Wow was she evil! Of course, Cleopatra (Egypt), she was probably the most interesting and all the women. Cleopatra was one smart woman!
If you enjoy Ancient History this is something you would want to listen to.
October 26, 2023
Powerful Women Who Ruled the Ancient World is a series of lectures by Kara Cooney that focus on many of the women of the ancient world, including Hatshepsut, Queen Jezebel, Empress Lü, and, of course, Cleopatra.
Cooney's presentation and analysis are accessible and interesting. She raises some good points and theories as to what it may have been like in the world of these women.
She self-admits that she has a feminist bent to this presentation, and it is apparent. Yet it is not nearly as bad as Cooney's own, When Women Ruled the World, which has such a heavy bias that the credibility is questionable.
So check out this lecture with your best skeptic glasses on and you might find some good historical food for thought.
Cooney's presentation and analysis are accessible and interesting. She raises some good points and theories as to what it may have been like in the world of these women.
She self-admits that she has a feminist bent to this presentation, and it is apparent. Yet it is not nearly as bad as Cooney's own, When Women Ruled the World, which has such a heavy bias that the credibility is questionable.
So check out this lecture with your best skeptic glasses on and you might find some good historical food for thought.
March 10, 2022
An interesting overview covering the stories of several powerful women from the ancient world (with an emphasis on Egypt) and discussing the commonalities that link them all. Though I'd heard about most of them already, the series made several points I hadn't thought of before, like how powerful women never ruled alone but always had to have a male figure somewhere aligned with them, or how the most successful powerful women (like Hatshepsut) were the ones that could easily be subsumed into male history and forgotten, while the scandalous ones (like Cleopatra) are the ones we remember today. Would recommend for anyone interested in the topic.
December 14, 2022
Overall very interesting, but undermined by an all too obvious bias. Yes the premise of the lectures is about women, but I still expected a more balanced commentary on the times and societies which gave rise to these women.
I understand how patriarchal the ancient world was and this impacts our current world, but the automatic assumption and bias that 'thus the patriarchy were bad' left me wanting. I would have preferred a more balanced view - I accept that this is a taster, designed for light entertainment, but nonetheless, I was looking for more.
Also, some of the assumptions were flawed.
I understand how patriarchal the ancient world was and this impacts our current world, but the automatic assumption and bias that 'thus the patriarchy were bad' left me wanting. I would have preferred a more balanced view - I accept that this is a taster, designed for light entertainment, but nonetheless, I was looking for more.
Also, some of the assumptions were flawed.
April 1, 2021
I was expecting more in depth examples of powerful women from the ancient world, and while there were certainly a few of those, this course examines powerful women of the past in a more general sense. Cooney emphasizes how much we don’t know about the ancient past, so maybe it makes sense that there were only a few examples to explore in depth, but she nonetheless offers an introductory insight into the political landscape of a world both alien and familiar and what women had to be in order to navigate it. It’s certainly piqued my desire to learn more.
December 15, 2022
Jezebel, Hatshepsut, Lu are a few of the women discussed. These women all held power within a patriarchal system. Women were allowed to be mothers, to speak for their families, to follow the rules in place. They were generally not allowed to wield political or military power, at least not on their own. They were not allowed to be too ambitious, free-thinking, or sexual. The author asks the reader to consider who we have learned about these women from, and what their motive was. The author’s other book When Women Ruled the World goes into more detail of historic evidence, but is focused on Egypt only.
February 10, 2023
I expected this audiobook to be biased by the author's anachronistic overall argument. Yet I still hoped there would be a decent amount of historical facts underlaying it all (based on her well written book about Hatshepsut). But then she presented Roman politics like an HBO drama, with no attempt to read past the obvious ancient smear campaigns against figures like Livia! After that doozy I just can't trust anything she says about ancient history outside Egypt.
July 17, 2023
This book wasn’t very strong on detail or insight. It promises at the outset more than it actually delivers. The author is Egyptologist and her chapters on Egyptian queens are the strongest, while her discussion of women based on the bible stories is the most speculative/thin on anything. The rest is in the middle. I love reading about antiquity, but this is not a book I’ll be returning to for references etc.
August 28, 2025
Parts of this felt a little too simplistic, but I get it is free audio ‘course’. An awful lot of it comes down to ‘we just do not know’.
Intriguing concept that Christianity + Greek philosophy ⇒ misogyny
Personally I thought the Christians were pretty anti women right from the start, regardless of who Jesus hung around with.
History is always written by the winners, and when women are the losers history paints them especially badly.
3 stars
Intriguing concept that Christianity + Greek philosophy ⇒ misogyny
Personally I thought the Christians were pretty anti women right from the start, regardless of who Jesus hung around with.
History is always written by the winners, and when women are the losers history paints them especially badly.
3 stars
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