History especially Ancient History is filled with strong women. Roman women in particular had huge influence throughout the Empire. They saw women as equal but different than men, and in some cases the Emperor was just a figurehead for the women in his life, especially in the late Empire.

It is true and people do bring up their were no female emperors. But ruling wasn't seen as a desirable thing to most in Rome, it was better to be the man or woman behind the throne than being sat on it. Nero's better years are when his mother ruled through him for example.

Men and women were also pushed into roles they did not want back then. The amount of men who were pushed into succession who neither wanted or were able to rule is a huge thing throughout that time frame. Both genders married off for politics to people they did not love or even like in some cases.

Life was hard back then for both genders. Roles and expectations were placed on you for being a man or a woman. It wasn't sexism, just in my view a pretty awful time to be alive.