Author: historikate

My name is Katy Clark and I am a historian and writer from East Tennessee. I have my M.A. in History and my passion is Women's history and Colonial American history. I have been published in ProQuest and Exploring History. I am a wife and mom to four beautiful people who make my world a brighter place every day. As I live out my passion, I hope they are inspired to live out theirs. To read more of my articles, follow me on Medium!

Dahia al Kahina

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Dahia al Kahina, famously known as “The Jewish Sorceress”, led her army against the Arab invasion in Northern Africa. She was believed to have used sorcery to win battles, and she enforced aggressive tactics to block essential resources from her enemies, including the “scorched earth policy.” With the Islamic army closing in, she was faced with a choice; death or surrender to a foreign ruler and betray her faith. She chose death at the bottom of a well. Read more about Dahia al Kahina in my soon to be released book, African Women of the Ancient World: Queens, Consorts and Warriors!

Statue designed by artist Rachid Khimoune was erected in her honor in Parc de Bercy, Paris, as a part of the ‘Children of the World’ (‘Les Enfants du Monde’)

1 Month Away!

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We are one month from the publication of my book African Women of the Ancient World: Queens, Consorts and Warriors! If you haven’t grabbed a copy yet, it is available at Pen and Sword, Barnes & Noble and Amazon! 🎉

Queen Hatshepsut

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Hatshepsut is of the most well-known rulers in ancient Egyptian history. For many, she is known simply because she was a woman who happened to rule during the Eighteenth Dynasty, which is arguably one of the most prominent dynasties due to massive wealth expansion and successful military campaigns.

What many do not know is that Queen Hatshepsut had monuments to bear her image with a twist. Instead of statues showing her feminine figure, she had the craftsmen alter her image to be more traditionally masculine. This was particularly important as she was the first to have given such an order, but her purpose was to show that she could lead as well as a man could, even if she was a woman. She was innovative, cunning, and powerful. Hatshepsut developed trade routes and successfully built foreign trade partnerships with the surrounding nations, greatly expanding Egypt’s wealth as well as agricultural and economic diversity.

To read more about Queen Hatshepsut, check out my soon to be published book with Pen and Sword, African Women of the Ancient World: Queens, Consorts and Warriors!

Photo below: Seated Statue of Hatshepsut. Wikicommons Public Domain. Housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. ca. 1479–1458 B.C.

Neithhotep

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The farther one goes back in ancient history, the deeper the tunnels travel. This is one of the reasons why ancient history is fascinating. There continues to be valuable things to learn buried deep in the sands, and evidence for the identity of one of Egypt’s most elusive rulers is among the treasures to have been uncovered. Who was Neithhotep? Most recognize her name due to its religious origins (she’s named after the goddess Neith) and simply know her as the wife of King Narmer, the great pharaoh who united the Upper and Lower kingdoms of Egypt during the Old Dynasty. However, her influence as queen consort proved to be so much more involved than simply offering marital support to her husband (who’s reign was ended when he died abruptly) and she ruled in her husband’s stead until her young son was old enough to assume the throne. She is also credited with ordering an excavation at Wadi Ameyra in the Sanai Desert, greatly expanding Egypt’s wealth. Neithhotep is just one of the fascinating women I discuss in my book, African Women of the Ancient World: Queens, Consorts and Warriors. 

(photo below is a clay seal bearing Neithhotep’s name. Creative Commons. Public Domain.ar sealing impressed with name of Queen Neithhotep MET 20.2.54. circa 3100 B.C.E.)

African Women of the Ancient World: Queens, Consorts and Warriors

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My book is officially available for pre-order! Perhaps you have heard of several of these women before, or maybe you will be introduced for the very first time. These women were strategic, fearsome, heroic, brave, and at times, downright brutal but their lives played an essential role not just in African history, but world history as well. Their lives impacted the world we see today. The link to pre-order is below!

#Neithhotep #Hatshepsut #Nefertiti #MakedaofSheba #Amina #DahiaalKahina #Amanirenas #Ranavalonathe1st #Njinga

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/African-Women-of-the-Ancient-World-Hardback/p/52528