The representation of women in the promotion of imperial or royal power in the ancient world
Bosco C
Over the past years, we have witnessed a proliferation of books exploring the overlooked role of women in the classical world, by authors such as Natalie Haynes and Madeleine Miller. However, in this essay I will more specifically explore whether visual representations of women in the ancient world (in sculpture, paintings, or reliefs) played a meaningful role in the projection of imperial or royal power. I will look at representations of both real-life women and goddesses, drawing on examples from several ancient civilizations. I will interrogate the role that these visual representations played in different periods and, while generally female figures were less relevant than male figures in representing royal and imperial power, will try to make sense of why Egypt, Assyria and Kush had more visual representations of real-life powerful women, while Greece and Rome limited those representations nearly exclusively to divine female figures. There are numerous examples of female deities in Ancient Egypt, such as Isis, Ma’at or Hathor, represented in royal tombs, monuments, or inscriptions. The goddess Ma’at, in particular, was key in validating the legitimacy of pharaonic power in visual representations. An Egyptian goddess that personified cosmic order, truth, and justice, Ma’at was so important to Pharaohs that many added ‘Ma’at’ to their coronation name including Hatshepsut, Seti I and Ramses II. Pharaohs often would
present themselves as offering Ma’at in the form of a small female figure on their palm. The relief here depicts Ramses II presenting Ma’at to the god Amun. These depictions—seen in art from as early as the Old Kingdom up to the New Kingdom—were important as they showed that the Pharaohs were maintaining cosmic order for their kingdom—thus demonstrating how depiction of female divinities were unequivocally seen as potential tools to promote royal power.
A relief from the temple of Beit-El-Wali in Aswan
Ancient Egyptian civilization also offers relevant examples of visual representations of historical women created to convey royal and imperial power. In a highly patriarchal society, the visual presentations of female rulers as powerful figures (with links to divinity and ancestors of royal blood) were arguably very important tools to win the hearts and minds of people. Queen Hatshepsut’s visual representations are a case in point. Hatshepsut first attained power as a regent standing in for her stepson Thutmose III. After a few years, she self-proclaimed herself co-leader. She was the second confirmed queen regnant of Egypt after Sobekneferu who ruled all the way back in the 12 th dynasty. Her unusual position, which stood out in the patriarchal tradition, may have contributed to her efforts
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