The ancient world was the beginning of a new development for humanity. Art and written records began to emerge and humans also began to leave a permanent mark on the Earth. Not only did this period bring prosperity and good luck to some, but it also had a darker side: mistreatment and discrimination against women. Women were looked down upon by men and seen as fragile and weak and not deserving of the same rights as men. Women were seen only as a means of bringing life into the world and providing relief to men. The selected artworks reflect women who refused to bow to this negative interpretation of women. Pharaoh Hatshepsut, Queen Nefertiti, Queen Boudica and Joan of Arc showed society how one person, one woman, can achieve many achievements and make a difference for herself and her people. These women, each in their own approach, stood their ground and took a stand in the man's world in which they found themselves. They were courageous, heroic, outspoken and often vilified for what they represented. However, they managed to leave a mark historically and in the world of art. Their lives and stories give the modern world insight into the struggles and difficulties that accompany the desire for equality. These women represented the beginning of feminism and its roots date back to the ancient world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essay Pharaoh Hatshepsut, one of only three female pharaohs, rose to power and claimed the Egyptian throne, going to going against tradition and fighting for his right to be the ruler. Her people tried to oppose her. The idea of ​​a woman ruling public while possessing the powers of a king, with no man to hold her back, frightened the people. Hatshepsut knew that she could not gain the respect of her people as a woman, which is why she chose to represent herself as a man. She did not back down from the hatred and contempt of her people, choosing instead to overcome the resentment and rule successfully for two decades. Queen Nefertiti, although not a pharaoh of Egypt, had the respect of her husband, Akhenaten, and was displayed as his equal in many carved reliefs. This is unusual because most women of this era were depicted at 1/10th the size of their husband, i.e. Ramses II. The healthy relationship between husband and wife reflects the fact that she had a self-awareness and personal power that allowed her to build a balanced relationship with her husband, even though it was atypical in the society in which they lived .Queen Boudica of Iceni, a widow after the death of her husband, led a rebellion against Rome, attempting to retake her kingdom after the Romans raped and mistreated her daughters. She would no longer sit by as her people were overtaken and massacred by Roman soldiers. She single-handedly led thousands of her people into battle against the Romans, displaying bravery and courage, proving that women are just as capable of being warriors as men. Although she was ultimately defeated, her legacy remains and Boudica represents the struggles women endure for equality and freedom from oppression. Joan of Arc, a young French girl, made it her mission to free France from the tyrannical rule of the English. and inculcate the rightful heir to the throne. Similar to Hatshepsut, she dressed as a man to carry out her plans to take back France from the English, as women were not.