1001 Space Earth Nature History First Civilisations Ancient Egypt Biblical Times Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Chinese, Japanese Civilisations Indian Civilisation African Civilisation The Early Americas The Rise of Islam The Middle Ages The Renaissance Civil War and Revolution The Industrial Revolution Two World Wars 20th-century Achievements Human World Science and Technology	Were there empresses as well as emperors? Women sometimes ruled in ancient Japan, but real power was held by male regents like Prince Shotoku, regent to Empress Suiko in about 600 AD.   Previous: Back Book: 1001 Section: History Chapter: Chinese, Japanese Civilisations