The Elusive Matriarchy: On the Hunt for Proof (Research Paper Sample)

The Elusive Matriarchy: On the Hunt for Proof
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Introduction
Matriarchy is the tradition that exists in the society whereby the power is bestowed among women of the community. More often than not, search for the evidence of true matriarchal societies has turned out to be elusive. Although there are few exceptions such as the Great Britain, women rulers left the marks throughout the history. Notable examples of women rulers in Britain included Elizabeth I and II as well as Victoria. Most significant is the Elizabeth I, who many historians have argued as being the best monarch in England during the ancient history. Despite the existence of these women rulers in the Great Britain, the country was not matriarchy. In essence, there was no system in place to involve women in the power positions. However, they had the privilege because of the absence of men for succession at that time. It is only in the absence of the son that a woman can get the opportunity to ascend to the power position hence a matriarchy society.
Archaeological evidence
In most cases, societies that were believed as being matriarchal had been subject in anthropological debates. Many historians have argued that there is no conclusive evidence of any society that was dominated by women in power positions (Romero, 2008). From the past history, it suspected that if matriarchies existed they were few as well as far apart. Today, there is no archaeological evidence that indicate of any matriarchal group of people that is known. It is certain that true matriarchal societies appear to exist mostly in the realms of mythology as well as legends as compared to the recorded historical books and other materials.
Reasons for the rise of women rulers in the ancient empires
In the ancient empires of Persia, women could only take the leadership in case the King was dead (Romero, 2008). Besides, a woman was likely to assume to the throne when the crown prince is a minor. One of the most significant in the early Persian Empire was Pourandokt, who was the first queen to reign in Ctesiphon. She demonstrated qualities of a wise, just as well as a good-nurtured woman because of her dedicated effort to revive the sovereignty of Sassanid. Through her character, it was factual that women can perform similar duties in the Persian Empire compared to men. Therefore, this act indicated the equality between men and women.
A revolution that took place in Greece during the early year was fuelled mainly by the roles of women the modern society. It was revealed through the divine power caused by the female gods as well as the social and religious power. At the same time, women were depicted as the myths of drama and genius of literary poems. In addition, it is indicated how women were consulting from their gods and the y were perceived differently in the World in regard to fellow men.
In Britain, women rulers such as Boudicca emerged to power as a result of the breakdown of the society by the Romans. As Romero (2008) revealed, her husband had attempted to consolidate the Roman emperor for the purpose of sustaining his lineage as well as the Kingdom. Consequently, this could later put his family in a mess as Boudicca was raped and her daughters got raped.
Matriarchy in the ancient Jewish culture was as a result of disintegration of the societal structure. Some of sporadic changes that existed among the Jewish people were enslavements, captivities, battles a well as exile. More often than not, the society began to identify mothers although they had been regarded as weak whereas husband served in captivities. Women had assumed the responsibilities of nurturing families without their husbands. Therefore, it was the best way to define children in regard to the mothers’ lineage in order to preserve the identity of Jewish society.
Empress Dowager Cixi came to power as from 1861 in the Quing Empire. Although she was seen as a mystery, Cixi had the opportunity to rule the empire from behind the scenes. Moreover, as one of the most favored concubines of the emperor, she proved to be a real ruler during the crucial period towards the end of the empire. However, she had been favored by many reasons to be the empress. One of the most significant reasons was the attack of Beijing by the British and French forces. As a result, they destroyed the summer palace which affected the Emperor, her husband at the time. According to Romero (2008), the emperor become so much depressed and resulted to alcohol as well as drugs. Also, the Emperor had named her concubine, Cixi among the next successor after his death. In essence, the Emperor wanted Cixi to help his son which made her a co-empress. Some of the roles in her tenure included plots and assassinations. Most notable, Cixi was implicated in the plot of blocking her nephew from reforming the government.
In Africa, matriarchy made the continent flourish during the reign of women rulers. First, Zenobia of Palmyra was one of the women in her region with distinctive appearance. Most significant, she became a tyrant and good empress because of her strong and forceful personality. Although she had incredible beauty, the character and intelligence favored her throughout the reign. John (2013) argued that Zenobia was extremely knowledgeable on the history. It is also noted that Cleopatra was her role model and she had facilitated her ambitions. Nonetheless, it is believed that Zenobia had conspired to have her husband assassinated. Romero (2008) noted that she acted out of fear that the eldest son from the previous marriage was likely to succeed. Although her son was selected, he was not of age to rule at that time. As a result, Zenobia was entrusted with the regency as she was assisted by friends of her late husband. In her first assignments, she accepted the invitation to direct control of the Egyptian affairs. Consequently, they were defeated by the Roman soldiers. Upon receiving the news, Zenobia decided to withdraw the army and lead them alone. Although they easily defeated the Roman soldiers, they were finally overcome by the Roman foot soldiers. She fled to Palmyra that was pursued Aurelian and besieged the fortified city. Irrespective of her being well equipped, the advisors urged her to seek refuge in the Persian Empire and hence accompanied by a few soldiers.
Secondly, Queen Nzigha was the most valuable women to her people of Angola. Many historians have argued that she defended her people from the reign of slavery by the Portuguese. It is noted that her brother had attempted several times to free his people from the reigns of slavery the Portuguese. After his death, Nzingha ascended into the throne of power. In most cases, she is remembered for her qualities such as bravery, intelligence as well as determination to protect her people. Notably, she defied the governor at the peace conference because he refused to her a seat. According to John and Evid (2013), people hold divided opinions regarding her. It is suspected that because of her ambitions, she poisoned her brother in order to ascend to the throne of power. On the contrary, other people argue that the story was created to discredit her reputation. Despite the claims, Nzingha proved to be one of the capable women rulers to have ascended to the throne of leadership.
Thirdly, the queen of Kemet was well known for her royal love affair with the Rameses II of the lower ancient Egypt (Cline & Rubalcaba, 2005). In essence, their relationship ended the war crisis of the upper and lower ancient Egypt. Some of the structures that signify their affair exist as among the most magnificent across the World. These statues were put in place to honor the wife.
Matriarchal tribes existed in African until the modern times. Some of the notable warrior queens include Majaji, who reigned in the Lovedu tribe which was part of the Kushite Empire. She is mostly remembered for leading her warriors in the battle field with spears and shield and died on the walls of Meroe. Some of the Egyptian warriors included Cleopatras and Arsinoe who had descended from the royal house of Kush.
Queen of Zaria a province in Nigeria
She was born during the times of the reign of King Sarkin, her grandfather. At the tender age of sixteen years, Amina was elected the apparent heir of her mother, who was the ruling queen of Zazzua. From the history, her mother had ruled the territory peace and prosperity. Amina, her daughter did not follow the footsteps. She had decided to acquire military skills such as of the warriors. After the death of queen Bakwa, her mother who was the ruling queen of Zazzua in 1566. As a result, the reign of Zazzua was supposed to her younger brother. On the other hand, the military achievements of Amina brought her honor of the great wealth and power. After serving tenure of ten years, Karama, her brother passed away. Amina took over from her brother, as the Queen of Zazzua.
In her early assignment as the queen, she staged a military expedition in the first months after taking over power. Many people have argued that she continued to fighting during her reign until when she passed on. Most notable events, Amina fought for the expansion of Zazzua territory to its current capacity. In essence, her focus was to compel other local rulers to appreciate regulations such as vassal status and seeking of permits by the Hausa traders in order to secure safe passage. Most significant, Amina as the queen of Zazzua was recognized for her effort of popularizing the fortification of the earthen city wall. She had employed the simple strategy such as building of a defensive wall in military camps. Presently, some towns exist with the protective walls. Thus, she was considered the woman with capability as a man.
Women rulers in the Egyptian Empire
During the ancient time, the Egyptians women had the privilege...