Sargon

West Asia: Akkadian Empire

2334-2279 BCE

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Sargon the Great was known for building the world’s first and largest empire in recorded history at that point. A bloodthirsty ruler with ruthless determination to expand his kingdom, he focused on taking control of nearby lands, thus being the first to set the stage for imperialism to create empires and dynasties in time.

Under the Sumerian King List, Sargon was listed as being a ruler for fifty-six years.

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Cleopatra VII Philopator

North Africa: Egypt

51-30 BCE

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Cleopatra VII Philopator was bold, beautiful and made for the movie screens. She was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, bringing ancient Egypt under her three-decade reign from 51 BCE - 30 BCE She was historied for her beauty and her love affairs with the Roman warlords Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony.

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Augustus

Europe: Rome, Italy

27 BCE-14 CE

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Augustus Gaius Octavius Thurinus was born on 23 September 63 BCE. He was the first Emperor of the Roman Empire, ruling for 41 years from 27 BCE to 14 CE. Adopted by Julius Caesar in his will, he inherited the lineage of royalty and power and was given the title ‘Augustus’, meaning ‘majestic’. Since then, the title has become associated with Octavius. His reign is most known for Pax Romana, a time of order and peace, which was very rare during that Empire. However, due to Augustus being remembered for his contributions to his people, it is easy to forget some of the ruthless acts Augustus committed to obtain and maintain power.

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Nero

Europe: Roman Empire

54-68 CE

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Throughout the 14 years of Nero’s reign, he epitomized the ruthlessness of ancient Rome and earned himself the title for worst ruler. However, he wasn’t all that way back when he first ascended the throne in the year 54CE and this can be inferred from a gold aureus (coin) traced back to the beginning of his reign. The aureus tells us a time when he and his mother, Agrippina the Younger, ruled as equals. A time before chaos engulfed Rome, a period of political generosity and development. So, when did Nero turn into a megalomaniac that ended his blood line’s dynasty?

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Wu Zetian

East Asia: China

655-705 BCE

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On the Liangshan Mountain in China, in the Qianling mausoleum, stands a 7.53 meter tall uncharacterised stele that weighs 98.8 tons. This massive monument marks the resting site of ancient China’s only female emperor, Wu Zetian. With a reign that lasted around 50 years, Wu’s rise to power did not come peacefully. Fueled by ambition, cunning, and wanton ruthlessness, Wu carved her name into the annals of history. However, her memorial stele was the first of its kind to remain uncharacterised in over 2000 years of Chinese history. Which begs the question, why is that so?

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Pakal

South America: Palenque

615-683 CE

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Behind and beneath one of Mesoamerica’s most famous structures, K'inich Janaab Pakal I; better known as Pakal the Great or Sun Shield, was a king deified after his death who maintained rule over a spiritually brutal culture for a span of 68 years. (Guenter, 2005) An accomplished builder for his time, many of the buildings, including The Temple of Inscriptions, a tomb he crafted in view of his impending mortality stand in the modern era, untouched. Pakal’s rule stands out for its exceeding duration and his otherwise quiet and peaceful demise as an elderly person, an oddity in the violent history of Mayan rulers who were famed for their acts of human sacrifice.

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Genghis Khan

Central Asia: Mongolia

1206-1227 CE

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Any conversation that involves the most ruthless rulers in history would be amiss without the name, Genghis Khan. As he was quoted as saying, “The greatest joy a man can know is to conquer his enemies and drive them before him. To ride their horses and take away their possessions. To see the faces of those who were dear to them bedwed in tears, and to clasp their wives and daughters in his arms. ”, it is only apt that the joy derived from his ruthlessness fueled Genghis Khan to become the leader of the largest empire in history.

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Oba Ewuare

Africa: Benin Empire

1440-1473 CE

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Oba Ewuare ascended to the Benin City throne, located in modern-day Nigeria, by what came to be known as one of the most violent coups and sibling fights in ancient African history against his brother Uwaifaikon, who was ruling at the time. This rivalry resulted in a war that obliterated more than half of Benin City, which Oba Ewuare later rebuilt. Oba Ewuare’s reign spanned from 1440 to his death in 1473, during which he added 201 towns and villages to Benin City’s territory. Historian Jacob Egharevba speculates that Ewuare, who had been heir to the throne, and Uwaifaikon were exiled from the city after their father’s death. After several years of banishment, Uwaifaikon managed to return and became king. Ewuare then returned to Benin, murdered his brother, and set fire to the city as revenge for his exile.

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