Comparative Analysis- Empress Wu Zetian and Pharaoh Cleopatra
This paper will do a comparative analysis of two female rulers from ancient times who were not only powerful but held historical significance from ancient times. Empress Wu Zetian from China, who ruled from around 690 AD to 705 AD will be compared to Pharaoh Cleopatra, an Egyptian ruler from 1478-1458 BC. These two rulers have been known to have significant differences, but at the same time, they had similarities in that both of them were unable to capture ultimate power via the normal official hierarchy, and therefore, they were forced to utilize their restraining gender roles. Also, they were both violent and cunning in order to maintain and assert their respective positions (Clements, 2007).
After she managed to enter the royal household as the Emperor’s concubine in the 7th Century during the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian took advantage and worked hard to ensure she became the only female that ruled China legitimately in over three thousand years (Rothschild, 2008). More remarkably, she is considered to be one of the most competent leaders in the history of China. She ruled in the Tang Dynasty, which is known as the country’s golden age, and this continued for several generations even after the end of her rule. On the other hand, her counterpart from Egypt, Pharaoh Cleopatra, was from the royal family in the Ptolemaic Dynasty (Ashton, 2014). She was the ruler of Egypt after Alexander the Great died and was elevated to the co-ruler status by her father’s decree, Ptolemy XII. Pharaoh Cleopatra held on to her power until many years later, when she committed suicide (Ashton, 2014). Another difference between the two rulers is that the Egyptian people liked Cleopatra and maintained a positive image of her even after her death. While the Tang Dynasty was kept alive by Empress Wu for many generations, Pharaoh Cleopatra was her lineage’s last ruler as well as the last pharaoh of independent Egypt.
While there are major differences between the two rulers, as mentioned before, both of them operated within restrictive gender roles so that they could achieve their respective goals. Pharaoh Cleopatra used intricate finery and costumes in order to enhance the charisma that surrounded the Egyptian rulers, who, at the time, were assumed to be divine in nature (Riad, 2011). Because she tried consolidating power for herself by snatching it away from her husband, father, and Ptolemy XIII, her co-ruler, she was prohibited from getting into Alexandria when Julius Caesar visited. To force her way in, she was rolled into a carpet that was then presented to the powerful Roman general. There, she managed to make a lasting and deep impression on him, who later became the father of her son. Similarly, Empress Wu also used planning and seduction to become the main confidant and prized consort of Emperor Gaozong and Taizong. Rumors have it that she was able to attain that status by allowing those rulers to satisfy their forbidden sexual pleasures (Rothschild, 2008). Clearly, such feminine seduction tales might be myths that were restrictive gender roles. Nonetheless, there is no doubt both of these female rulers took advantage of their positions in order to attain an extraordinary level of influence and power in societies where female rulers were uncommon.
Both Pharaoh Cleopatra and Empress used traditional power tools alongside the movements they made within gender roles (Riad, 2011). The latter was known to be a ruthless ruler who killed the preceding Empress Wang, Emperor Gaozong, who was her husband, her mother, brother, and many other officials. Cleopatra also took adverse measures to make sure that her power lasted. After Caesar was assassinated, she ordered that her brother, Ptolemy XIV, be executed and her sister as well. We can see that the two had similar murder reputations, which demonstrated that both women had to use traditional implements of power to control their respective empires (Rothschild, 2008). This implies that in order for female power to be demonstrated, one had to kill for it.
As compared to contemporary culture, the Egyptian and Chinese cultures in the days of these two female rulers were highly restraining for women, particularly in the domain of politics and power, and this was demonstrated by how far the two leaders were willing to go to become rulers (Rothschild, 2008). Nonetheless, the evaluation of the two demonstrated that, as compared to the Egyptian culture, the Chinese culture was more restrictive. This is seen in how differently they were treated by historians. Whereas Pharaoh Cleopatra is regarded and remembered as a brave and intelligent ruler, Chinese historians usually revile Empress Wu by publishing insults and rumors about her (Riad, 2011). Clearly, historians can portray Empress Wu accurately, yet most cruel murders and sexual assaults of male emperors are not present in history’s writings, demonstrating that today’s double standards based on gender were comparatively more adverse in the ancient culture of China as compared to Egypt.
Despite having differences between the two rulers, Pharaoh Cleopatra and Empress Wu Zetian were forced to use the societies’ strict gender roles, political strategy, and murder to attain and preserve their ultimate power. Therefore, a question is raised of if at all women in the contemporary world who strive for success and power should match the tactics that men employ for similar purposes.
References
Ashton, S. A. (2014). The Last Queens of Egypt: Cleopatra’s Royal House. Routledge.
Clements, J. (2007). Wu: The Chinese Empress Who Schemed, Seduced, and Murdered Her Way to Become a Living God. Sutton.
Riad, S. (2011). Invoking Cleopatra to examine the shifting ground of leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 22(5), 831-850.
Rothschild, N. H. (2008). Wu Zhao: China’s only woman emperor. New York: Pearson Longman.
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Question 
This “Assignment 2” writing assignment is a comparative essay focused on topics encountered in our HUM 111 class. The project will be based on research but will reflect your views and interpretation of the topic. This project is designed to help you stretch your mind and your abilities as an organized, innovative, and critical thinker. If approached properly, it should also be fun!
Comparative Analysis- Empress Wu Zetian and Pharaoh Cleopatra
Choose one (1) of the topics from the list of topic choices below. Read the topic carefully. Write a three to four (3-4) page paper (750-1,000 words) that follows instructions and covers each part of the topic. (The title page and References list do not get included in this word count).
Comparing Ancient Female Rulers. Compare the Tang Empress Wu Zetian (also known as Empress Wu or as Wu Zhao; ruled China around 690-705 AD) with either the Pharaoh Cleopatra (who ruled Egypt around 51-31 BC) or the Pharaoh Hatshepsut (ruled Egypt around 1478-1458 BC). You may also propose (for approval or not) a female ruler not listed. Avoid lengthy quoting or lengthy close paraphrasing from biographical sources. Make it YOUR comparative analysis. Your paper should:
a) Compare the two (2) rulers in terms of their situation and ascent to power, their methods of rule, and their achievements and resourcefulness, noting similarities and differences. Use specific examples.
b) Consider what your study suggests about the cultures over which they ruled, identifying any similarities and differences between the cultures.
c) From this comparison, suggest lessons about different types of effective leadership by a female in the world of modern business and/or modern politics.