Incredible Warrior Queens Throughout History

Artemisia I of Caria

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Artemisia I of Caria was a revered Greek queen, ruling over Halicarnassus, Kos, Nisyros, and Kalymnos. Most of what we know about this Mediterranean goddess comes from the writings of Herodotus, who praises her courage and the respect she commanded from powerful men.

Xerxes, King of Persia, held her in such high regard that after he watched her in battle, he exclaimed, “My men have turned into women and my women have turned into men!” Artemisia tried to council Xerxes in his exploits, but he often went against her advice and lost in battle due to his pig-headedness. Legend has it that Artemisia fell in love with a man who didn’t return her sentiment, so she blinded him in his sleep. Unable to live with what she had done to the man she adored, an oracle told her to jump from the top of the rock of Leucas to rid herself of her feelings. Unfortunately, she didn’t survive the jump.