Despite her methods, her reign was one of the most stable and prosperous in Chinese history. She expanded the empire and promoted officials based on merit rather than birthright. 2. Catherine de’ Medici (France)
A king who executed his rivals was "strong" or "decisive"; an empress who did the same was "hysterical," "bloodthirsty," or "atrocious." Much of the "gore" in their biographies comes from secondary sources written decades or even centuries after their deaths, intended to serve as cautionary tales against female leadership. The Allure of the Dark Empress atrocious empress
She is the ultimate personification of the "unnatural mother," sacrificing her child for a crown. Despite her methods, her reign was one of
Irene’s hunger for power reached a chilling peak when she ordered her own son, Emperor Constantine VI, to be blinded so she could take his place. He died shortly after from his wounds. Catherine de’ Medici (France) A king who executed