The Sumerian King List produced the first known female ruler: Kubaba. was a Mesopotamian queen who ruled in the early days of the third dynasty of Kish during 2500–2330 B.C. Many monarchs make an appearance on the Sumerian King List, but Kubaba, or Kug-Bau was the only woman ruler.
Sobekneferu is considered the first recorded female king of Egypt and last pharaoh of the 12th Dynasty. The daughter of Pharaoh Amenemhat III she reigned 3 years, 10 months and 24 days according to the Turin Canon. On her death the 12th Dynasty ended, and the Middle Kingdom Period ceased. To date, no burial place has ever been located.
Queen Amanitore is the daughter of Kandake Amanishakheto and granddaughter of Kandake Amanirenas. The quantity of buildings that were completed during the middle part of the first century indicates that she led a prosperous time in Meroitic history. More than two hundred pyramids were built, most plundered in ancient times. Reservoirs for the retention of water were also constructed at Meroë during her reign.
Berber Queen Dihya fought against Islamic expansion under the leadership of Hasan ibn al Nu'man whose Umayyad armies campaigned across North Africa (c. 7 A.D). Under her leadership, the Arab army was defeated and holed up in Cyrenaica (Libya) for four or five years. The Arabs invaded again, and this time, the Berber army was unable to defend themselves.
