Throughout history, many brave and strong-willed women have emerged as being some of the greatest warriors to ever grace the battlefields of the world. Regardless of the era or the culture, there is no shortage of remarkable women who have fought fearlessly and courageously in the defense of their beliefs and countries. Even in more recent times, during wars of the twentieth century, women have played a significant role in combat, often fighting alongside their male counterparts, despite occupying a different social station in the world.
In this article, we will shed light on some of the most renowned women warriors in history, highlighting their extraordinary and courageous achievements, which have earned them a place in amongst the greatest female warriors of all time. From ancient Chinese heroines to legendary Egyptian queens, from Finnish snipers to commanding officers of World War II, this list of remarkable women warriors throughout history might surprise you.
Artemisia
Artemisia, the female commander of the Persian forces, was arguably one of the greatest female warriors ever to step onto the battlefield. She led the naval forces of the Persian Empire, in the spectacularly fought sea Battle of Salamis against the Greek Navy. Although the Battle did not go in her favour, she was widely acclaimed for her bravery and tactical ability as a commander in the engagement. During the Battle, she led a squadron of five ships and she was even credited with saving the king of the Persians, Xerxes, when his ship began to sink.
Artemiscia, who was reportedly in charge of the Persian Navy even prior to the Battle of Salamis, was an influential and respected figure in the Persian court and it is supposedly rumored that the famous Herodotus praised her extensively for her capabilities as a formidable naval commander.
Yue Fei
Yue Fei, also known as Chinese hero ‘Marshall Yueh Fei’, was a female military leader and national symbol of China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). She was courageous, resilient and knowledgeable about military strategy, and it is said that she trained for warfare from the age of five.
A fierce fighter, she is remembered for her incomparable martial arts skills, which were noted not only by her contemporaries but also by many generations that came after her. She was accredited for her heroics in various battles against the Jurchen-Jin invaders from northern China and is widely considered one of the greatest military heroines in Chinese history.
Tomoe Gozen
Tomoe Gozen was a female Samurai Warrior belonging to the twelfth century in Japan and is one of the most renowned characters in the literature of the era. She is the main subject of the famous story, ‘The Tale of the Heike’, which has been passed down through generations in Japan and praises her as being one of the most accomplished female warriors during the Heian period.
Tomoe Gozen reportedly fought in the Genpei War (1180-85), the civil war that symbolizes the end of the Heian Period (794-1185). During this monumental battle, which pitted the Taira – Minamoto warriors against each other, she experienced countless dangerous situations and demonstrated her great courage and strength on multiple occasions. It is also said that she defied the odds and promptly eliminated nearly forty enemy fighters in a battle against the Genji.
Zenobia
Zenobia, a renowned Queen of Palmyra (modern-day Syria), was well-known in the region during the third century AD as a formidable and brave leader in battles. It is said that she ruled her kingdom most capably and expanded its borders by fending off Roman armies in successful attacks on Egypt and Anatolia. It is perhaps this feat that earned her the title of one of the most famous women warriors in history.
Zenobia was also a skilled orator, adept in multiple languages and a great negotiator. She was well-read and educated in literature, philosophy, and military strategies and is said to have read the works of Ptolemy and Aristotle.
Gallic Women Warriors
The fierce warrior women known as the Gauls or Celts were a feared bunch and one of the few peoples that managed to see off the mighty Roman Empire. They resided in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and Devon, and even in Iceland. They were renowned for their extraordinary ability in the heat of battle and, led by their own female leaders, the Gauls frequently confronted Roman potentates one on one and won.
The core of these female Celtic warriors came from France, where they, in a quest to prove themselves and establish their own social standings as single women warriors, freed themselves from the traditional roles of married women and accepted battle as a way of life. The Celts’ abilities in warfare performances in the face of an array of enemies established them as some of the greatest female warriors in history.
Queen Nzinga
The warrior Queen Nzinga of the Ndongo and Matamba kingdoms of Angola is remembered as one of the greatest female warriors Africa had ever known, and a key figure in the fight to resist Portugese colonization. Her courageous pursuits, diplomatic skills, and resistance to European influences were greatly admired and respected, even by her colonial adversaries.
By the 1620s, she had risen up in rank and power and as queen, led her people in their fight for freedom against the Portugese colonizers. Interestingly, she adopted her brother’s children, along with his name and in so doing consolidated her place as an unassailable warrior queen, who could not be easily swayed. Her actions were hugely significant in the fight against Portugese power in the region, and secured her legacy as one of the greatest female warriors in history.
Lyudmila Pavlichenko
Lyudmila Pavlichenko, famously known as ‘Lady Death’ was a legendary sniper who served in the Red Army of Russia during World War II. During her service with the military, she emerged as one of the world’s most prodigious snipers in the world, with a total of 309 confirmed kills to her name. Her remarkable skills gave her the reputation of the legendary “Lady Death” by the American press and the incredible record made her a hero in the Soviet Union.
Nicknamed the “Saint of Sevastopol” she became very well known outside of Soviet Union circles, with her wartime feats and achievements credited to her heroic status throughout the world.
Grace O’Malley
Grace O’Malley, also known as Granuaile, was an aristocrat and a leader of the Irish people during the sixteenth century. She is remembered as the first great female warrior in Irish history, and she gained much reputation within the country for her considerable strength and bravery in battle.
O’Malley was born into a rich Irish family, which meant she experienced special privileges, but she also had to adapt to a world of constraints due to her gender. Refusing to accept the traditional roles of women as second-class citizens however, she quite literally took her fate into her own hands and was determined to carve out a place in the world. In time, she became leader of a large group of Irish people and her bravery in the heat of battle even amongst her male peers made her an important symbol in Irish culture until this day.
The tales of these legendary women warriors throughout history stand as a testament to the power, strength, and courage that women possess. These extraordinary women warriors have managed to tireless achieved milestones that have been remembered for generations, earned them the place of some of the greatest warriors in history.
From Tomoe Gozen to Zenobia, from Lyudmila Pavlichenko to Artemisia, these women of courage and strength were examples of power and legacy that should never be forgotten.
