The battlefield of ancient history has more often than not been described as a primarily male environment. This idea has been reinforced with movies and series with epic battles starring muscular men who curiously always have perfect six-pack abs.
Still, in many of these events, some women didn’t hesitate to break the traditional gender role rules of their times.
Let’s go through some of the most powerful badass female warriors from ancient history that challenged all gender norms and didn’t step back when it came to defending their people and honor.
Boudica (60/61 AD)
Queen Boudica, or Boudicca, of the British Celtic Iceni tribe, was a fearsome warrior that led an uprising against the army of the Roman Empire established in Britain. After the death of her husband, the Romans took over control. Boudicca was stripped of her titles and possessions, and both she and her daughters were assaulted by Roman soldiers.
In 60AD, the queen of the Eceni led a great revolt against the invaders who had murdered her husband and subjected her daughters, as well as herself, to degrading treatment. Even after being defeated, her military campaign took down around 70,000 enemies. Her army wrecked the following towns: Camulodunum (Colchester), the capital of Roman Britain; Verulamium (St. Albans); and Londinium (London).
Boudica was known as a strong leader and strategist who fought against oppression. She’s been described as a warrior of great intelligence and outstanding charisma. If that wasn’t enough, her name means “victory” in the Celtic language.
Artemisia I of Caria (480 BC)
Artemisia was the Greek Queen of Halicarnassus, a city-state located in the Anatolian region of Caria. She became an ally of the King of Persia, Xerxes I, and fought during the second Persian invasion of Greece.
Artemisia was the only female general of King Xerxes’ army. She commanded 5 ships at the Battle of Salamis, a battle that made her famous due to the military advice she gave Xerxes as well as her actions during the fight.
She was defined by Herodotus, the Greek historian, as a decisive and intelligent woman, but also a ruthless strategist. Meanwhile, the Greek author Polyaenus wrote that Artemisia was Xerxes’ most appreciated officer of his fleet compared to the rest.
Cynane (357 BC)
Cynane was the daughter of the Illyrian Princess Audata and King Philip II of Macedon. Thus, she was the half-sister of Alexander the Great. Her mother taught her martial arts and the belief that she was equal to any man. This was part of the Illyrian tradition, which accepted the idea of raising female warriors.
Cynane became an exceptional fighter, earning a lot of achievements on the battlefield alongside Alexander. Her most notorious one was when she single-handedly turned the tide of their battle with the Illyrians. Before turning twenty, the warrior princess already knew how to hunt, track, ride, among other exceptional abilities. She was even a better fighter than most men in her reign!
Cynane was well known for her courage, intellect, and skills. Years later, she taught her daughter, Adea, the same values with which she was raised by her mother: you can be just as powerful and independent as any other man.
Fu Hao (13th century BC)
Throughout her life, Fu Hao, or Lady Hao, won many titles, becoming one of the most extraordinary women of the ancient world. Why? She was a military commander, landowner, administrator, royal consort, and warrior-queen.
Fu Hao was one of three main royal consorts among the 60 wives of the twenty-first king of the Shang dynasty, Emperor Wu Ding. Lady Fu Hao was believed to be the emperor’s favorite, for she was actively involved in his political matters. Queen Fu Hao became the first female marshal in Chinese history.
She gained extraordinary achievements by leading many military campaigns and commanding approximately 13,000 soldiers. Fu Hao broke with tradition by serving as a military general, achieving the status of second in command of the emperor’s army. According to ancient oracle-bone inscriptions, Fu Hao was ruthless towards her enemies. Yet, she was also considered one of the most powerful military leaders of her time.
Tomyris (6th century BC)
Tomyris was an ancient queen who ruled over a tribal confederation of nomads known as the Massagetae or the “great Scythians.” She became a legend for her vengeful war against the Persian king, Cyrus the Great (also known as Cyrus II of Persia).
During Tomyris’ reign, Cyrus the Great had founded the Persian dynasty of the Achaemenids by occupying the fertile lands. The Persians were creating the largest known empire and could not afford to have unruly people near their land. All civilizations succumbed to the power of Cyrus. Lydians, Medes, Babylonians… all but one: the Massagetae.
At first, Cyrus tried to marry Tomyris, but she rejected him. Hence, a battle broke between the Persians and the Massagetae. Cyrus was initially successful in destroying their army. Meanwhile, Tomyris’ son and commander of her army, Spargapises, ended his life out of shame.
Anguished by her loss, Queen Tomyris raised another troop and commanded it herself in a second war against Cyrus. The result? Tomyris and Massagetae were victorious, whereas Cyrus lost his life after underestimating the queen’s warrior skills.
Photos from Wikimedia Commons
