Exploring the lives of six female pharaohs and how they ruled in a generally patriarchal society. Diss used women and feminity and how often women of power don ‘masculine’ traits and clothes to be acknowledged by men in power and by society. Whether it be a female pharaoh representing herself with a masculine crown or a modern female politician wearing a suit.

When the title says When Women Ruled the World i was expecting different women in power around the world throughout history not just egypt. It was a little disheartening to feel that only women in egypt ruled but I do realize it was written by an egyptologist which is why it focuses on egypt. I wish there were focused on english queens and asian queens and other ruling women as well though. 

Also a few of the queens stories were pretty similar in how they manipulated the crown and ruled for sons so it was a bit repetitive but still interesting.