© Getty Images 

Neithhotep -

Neithhotep dates back to the Early Dynastic Period (3150 to 2613 BCE). Though there isn't a lot of information available about her, it's believed that she was the wife of pharaoh Narmer or of one of his successors.

© Getty Images

Neithhotep -

Either way, her husband died, so Neithhotep reigned as regent until their young heir was of age to rule Egypt.

© Getty Images

Neithhotep -

There is no evidence that she ruled alone, but Neithhotep's name was found in inscriptions traditionally meant only for kings, so she must have been pretty important!

© Getty Images

Merneith -

Having lived during the First Dynasty, not only was Merneith the wife of a pharaoh, but she was also the mother of one.

© Getty Images

Merneith -

Merneith took charge after her husband, Djet, died. It's possible that Merneith was the first female pharaoh, and, according to historical records, the earliest queen regnant.

© Getty Images

Sobekneferu -

Sobekneferu became the last ruler of the 12th Dynasty, in around 1760 BCE, just at the end of the Middle Kingdom (2055–1786 BCE). Following the death of her father and brother, and in the absence of a male heir, Sobekneferu stepped into power and ruled for an estimated four years.

© Public Domain

Sobekneferu -

Unlike other female pharaohs, Sobekneferu always took pride in her identity as a woman, instead of depicting herself as a man.

© Public Domain

Sobekneferu -

For her coronation, she had to make up a "female Horus." This is because during these ceremonies, kings were linked to male gods and she didn't have any equivalent female goddess title she could be referred and linked to.

© Getty Images

Ahhotep I -

The mother of Ahmose I, who was a pharaoh and founder of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt, Ahhotep I was a powerful and fearless woman who ruled the country in the absence of her son.

© Getty Images

Ahhotep I -

One of her famous moves was to instruct the military to eliminate the threat of a rebellion, while her son was out of the country. Ahhotep I also served as a high priestess, as the God's Wife of Amun.

© Getty Images

Twosret -

Twosret stepped into power following the death of pharaoh Siptah, with whom she might have co-ruled.

© Getty Images

Twosret -

It's unknown whether her reign came to an end due to her natural death. Twosret was allocated a tomb in the Valley of the Kings, making her one of the few women in the royal funerary complex. Pictured: her goblet.

© Getty Images

Nefertari -

Ramesses II' queen, Neferati, is depicted in a number of monuments, paintings, and so on of the time. Her burial site in the Valley of the Queens was looted shortly after her death, so there's still a lot of information we don't know about her.

© Getty Images

Nefertari -

Following Nefertari's death, Ramesses II built two temples in Abu Simbel, one being dedicated to her.

© Getty Images

Nitocris -

Because she doesn't appear in Egyptian texts, there is still debate on whether Nitocris actually existed. Her existence had been attributed to the imagination of ancient Greek historian Herodotus.

© Getty Images

Nitocris -

Though her name does appear on a list of known kings in the 'Turin Papyrus.'

© Getty Images

Nitocris -

There is a dark revenge tale (or true story?) associated to Nitocris. Following the assassination of her brother, Nitocris is said to have built a chamber and invited the murderers to a feast. She then took revenge by flooding the chamber with water from the Nile, killing them all. 

© Getty Images

Queen Tiye -

Unlike Nitocris, Queen Tiye's existence is well documented in the 'Amarna Letters' (a collection of clay tablets).  The records show she was a powerful and influential woman, known for corresponding directly with foreign rulers.

© Getty Images

Queen Tiye -

The wife of Amenhotep III and mother of the pharaoh Akhenaten, she was depicted in many statues and other works of art, attesting to her importance in ancient Egypt.

© Getty Images

Hatshepsut -

Hatshepsut was married to her half-brother, Thutmose II, who died and left a young heir (who was not her son), though Hatshepsut acted as regent.

© Getty Images

Hatshepsut -

Her reign reportedly lasted 21 years, and some statues and inscriptions actually depict her as a male king.

© Getty Images

Nefertiti -

Possibly the most famous image of a former female ruler of ancient Egypt was uncovered in 1913 in the ruins of Amarna. But who was this woman?

© Getty Images

Nefertiti -

The wife of pharaoh Akhenaten, who wanted the whole kingdom to become monotheist and worship the sun god, Aten, is depicted by her husband's side and alone in many sources. Whether she ruled without her husband is still up for debate.

© Getty Images

Cleopatra VII -

The iconic queen of ancient Egypt used all the tricks in the book to gain power, including, of course, killing lots of people. 

© Getty Images

Cleopatra VII -

The last ruler of Egypt was indeed an influential woman who went down in history as one of the most important leaders ever.

Sources: (Grunge)

See also: Amazing facts about Cleopatra

© Getty Images