Warrior Queens

Originally posted by Temujin i think he's refering to that Assyrian king who went with all the loot of jerusalem. there's also a famous painting about her assassinating him.

Kubaba, the barmaid.

I am absolutely serious too. She is a queen - the only queen - listed in the Sumerian king lists. Apparently she seized power in Kish and overthrew the kings of Uruk and Lagash, founding a new dynasty. Prior to this, she was a "tavern keeper".

Whether or not she led anyone personally in battle is unknown, but I can't imagine how an innkeep would seize power otherwise.

Another warrior queen who should be mentioned is Candace Amanirenas of Meroe, sometimes called the "one eyed", as a result of losing one of her eyes in battle. She would become one of the most formidable leaders in African history. She was the wife of the Meroitic King Teriteqas, and succeeded him after his death.  A number of Meroitic Queens called Ka'andakes(Candaces)ruled Nubia-Kush just before the birth of Christ. During the reign of Candace Amerienas, Augustus Caesar had become the undisputed master of Rome and its territories and was crowned its first true Emperor. Soon afterwords he ordered his second chief magistrate to conquer both Arabia and Ethiopia. Candace, hearing of this, gathered her armies, and in 24 BC, defeated the Roman cohorts at Syene(Aswan) and captured it. She then defeated 2 other cohorts, and over ran both Philae, and Elaphantine, taking thousands of prisoners, and booty, which included many statues of Augustus. Following her victories, her loyal subjects gave her the eptiteth "the brave". After she named her son Akinidad crown Prince, the Romans went on the offensive in hopes of avenging their defeats. Augustus sent General Gaius Petronius, which turned out to be a mistake, he had no choice but to enter into negotiations with the Queen. In the year 21 BC a peace treaty was conducted which was strikingly favorable to the Meroites. Becuase of Candace Amanirenas the Romans were never able to exact tribute from nor conquer Meroe, Nubia, Ethiopia or Kush. The Teriteqas Oval Stela from the Isis Temple is a record of her military campaigns. To this day, the name "Candace" is given to children across the world, especially to african americans in the United States, in her honor.

Edited by Penelope - 20-Dec-2008 at 08:47

Originally posted by Bandeirante Queen Nzinga in Angola !   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Nzinga

Ah, even Clio is abused when people decide upon a PC frenzy. The simple fact here is that one need not turn to idealizations in order to understand--as even the original formulators of cultural myths did--that women have been the backbone of History. "Powerful" women? Historical narratives are replete with them, be they matriarch, courtesan, or harridan! To elaborate a feminine mimicry of maleish attributes is in a way both travesty and satire that instead of acknowledging their history suborns it. The picture above provides a perfect example of this foolishness.  

Edited by drgonzaga - 10-Jun-2009 at 14:05

Syrian Arab Queen Mavia (or Mawia) in the 4th century A. D. who fought against the Romans and won.

Edited by Centrix Vigilis - 03-Jul-2011 at 13:46