In ancient Persia, women ruled the world. 2,000 years ago, some of the most tough battles were taking place in the region and while men were important figures on the battlefield, a number of female warriors played just as vital a role. These heroines were the stuff of legends and by fighting for their country on the battlefield, they left an important mark on history.
(source: wikimedia.org)
While there are few cases of such fearsome warriors in history, the females from ancient Persia made more than a name for themselves. Just look at Queen Tomyris. A warrior Queen, she had zero tolerance for outsiders infringing on her land or property. Her tough and savage nature preceded her and across the region, she was known for her direct approach. While little is known about her role outside of fighting, she more than made a name for herself on the battlefield.
Fighting for their rights to claim land, Banu and her husband Banak pitted themselves in a 23 year long battle against invading Arabs, killing hundreds of thousands of people between them. That’s not all, either. The duo were both warriors in their own right, rising up with the revolutionary resistance in their country. While they never lost a battle, both were betrayed by a close source who later handed them over to the enemies. Although Banu was spared, her husband was sentenced to execution, sewn inside a cow hide that slowly crushed him as it dried out.
(source: womenshistory.about.com)
When the Roman empire was at an all time high, there was one female challenging their authority. Zenobia was the Queen of Syria at the time, known for her rebellious streak. Using her wits, Zenobia manage to intersect a Roman territory, cutting off the empire’s supply source in the region. The Queen was strongly linked to the military of her country, taking on legendary status in a country that had a male-dominant view.
(source: iranpoliticsclub.net)
A daughter of the Parthian Empire’s last King, Sura of Parthia worked as her father’s right hand. When her father suddenly died in war, Sura set her sights on revenge, looking for her enemies on the battlefield. Before closing in on her enemies, she was notorious for exhausting them, making it easier for her to strike. Consumed with war, she later died on the battlefield, still fighting the men who were responsible for her father’s death.