Fascinating Women in History: Who are the Most Inspiring?

[Type 7]

Who are your favorites? I'm hoping to discover some new ones, but even the most well known ones are welcome. For instance I've got a thing for Joan of Arc. Of all the women in history, she would be the one I'd most like to converse with. But first I'd like to talk about another fascinating woman.

Theodora (500-548)
She fascinates me because of her astounding rise from the lowest social stratum to being the wife of the Emperor Justinian. In her own time she was valued for her acute intelligence and perspicacity, with most sources I've read saying she was accepted as an intellectual equal and advisor by Justinian. Her strength of resolve is credited with saving the empire from collapse during one crisis; she kept her head when Justinian and all others lost theirs. She never forgot where she came from and worked to better the lives of the lower class, especially women.

My opinion: Theodora had street-smarts and street-toughness born of hardship, deprivation and public scorn. Having nowhere and no one else to go to for help, she found within herself the independence, the intelligence, and the indomitable will to survive and to make her life great.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodora_(6th_century )

 

[hypatia]

Hypatia, that's where I got the name from.

There was a woman at Alexandria named Hypatia, daughter of the philosopher Theon, who made such attainments in literature and science, as to far surpass all the philosophers of her own time. Having succeeded to the school of Plato and Plotinus, she explained the principles of philosophy to her auditors, many of whom came from a distance to receive her instructions. On account of the self-possession and ease of manner, which she had acquired in consequence of the cultivation of her mind, she not unfrequently appeared in public in presence of the magistrates. Neither did she feel abashed in going to an assembly of men. For all men on account of her extraordinary dignity and virtue admired her the more.

Read more about her here!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypatia_of_Alexandria"

 

[0TheSwerve0]

Hildegard von Bingen. She was a nun in 12th century Germany and I found about her from her musical works. According, she also wrote treatises and invented an alternative alphabet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildegard_von_bingen

Her music always brings a smile and serenity. As always, I have a public http://www.box.net/" , login with mavonn@yahoo.com and password is physics. It's the first song.

Here's a http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/O_frondens.ogg" from wiki of her stuff.

Here's a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAaMcCAZbq8" with a sort of new agey twist to her works.

 

[Evo]

Theodora (500-548)
She fascinates me because of her astounding rise from the lowest social stratum to being the wife of the Emperor Justinian. In her own time she was valued for her acute intelligence and perspicacity, with most sources I've read saying she was accepted as an intellectual equal and advisor by Justinian. Her strength of resolve is credited with saving the empire from collapse during one crisis; she kept her head when Justinian and all others lost theirs. She never forgot where she came from and worked to better the lives of the lower class, especially women.

My opinion: Theodora had street-smarts and street-toughness born of hardship, deprivation and public scorn. Having nowhere and no one else to go to for help, she found within herself the independence, the intelligence, and the indomitable will to survive and to make her life great.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodora_(6th_century )

I suppose you have read Procopius' Secret History? If you are interested in Theodora, this is a must read, although he could be said to be a "bit" prejudiced.

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/procop-anec.html

 

[wolram]

Bodica, boy was she some toughie.

 

[Evo]

Bodica, boy was she some toughie.

I saw a great documentary on her not too long agao.

Another great woman - Eleanor of Aquitane. I have tried, I mean really tried to read the book "Eleanor of Aquitane and the four Kings", but it was the most painful thing to read.

 

[wolram]

I saw a great documentary on her not too long agao.

Another great woman - Eleanor of Aquitane. I have tried, I mean really tried to read the book "Eleanor of Aquitane and the four Kings", but it was the most painful thing to read.

That poor lady, if i recall correctly she did have to suffer some obese males,
and corruption, but to be in some sort of power at the age of 15? i really think the excesses of the age are gross.
If i had the time and money i would read all of history, it is so rich, it seems
to belittle anything of modern times.

 

[Evo]

That poor lady, if i recall correctly she did have to suffer some obese males,
and corruption, but to be in some sort of power at the age of 15? i really think the excesses of the age are gross.
If i had the time and money i would read all of history, it is so rich, it seems
to belittle anything of modern times.

She also ended up being imprisoned by her own husband for 15 years. http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/EofAreturns.html

 

[Type 7]

Hypatia, that's where I got the name from.

I was hoping we would hear from you. Hypatia is exactly the kind of fascinating woman I had in mind. I would love to have sat in on one of her lectures that she had in her home, an intimate gathering of Alexandria's best and brightest. Wow, that must have been great! In the current issue of Smithsonian magazine is an article about Alexandria from an archaeological perspective. Scant mention is made of Hypatia, but it did give me a better idea of the context in which she lived. To have excelled in a city of such excellence is truly remarkable.

 

[Type 7]

Hildegard von Bingen. She was a nun in 12th century Germany and I found about her from her musical works. According, she also wrote treatises and invented an alternative alphabet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildegard_von_bingen

Her music always brings a smile and serenity. As always, I have a public http://www.box.net/" , login with mavonn@yahoo.com and password is physics. It's the first song.

Here's a http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/O_frondens.ogg" from wiki of her stuff.

Here's a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAaMcCAZbq8" with a sort of new agey twist to her works.

I had completely forgotten about Hildegard. Thank you for reminding me and for posting the links. I knew of her from her music but I did not know about her literary accomplishments.
I had trouble with the boxnet and wiki audio files, evidently the fault of my system, but I found another page with many short clips.

http://www.healingchants.com/hct.html

The beauty of her music really is indescribable. Contrasting her with modern religious leaders, I find myself more willing to accept her faith as real as I listen to her music. Sitting in a dark room while listening, it's easy to imagine oneself in a smoky, flame-lit cathedral, hearing the pure human voice just as it was heard in the 12th century.

 

[wolram]

She also ended up being imprisoned by her own husband for 15 years. http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/EofAreturns.html

Yes i think of these (history makers) but they lived their lives screwing
the peasants, in reality, they were no better than hitler, having no regard
for their actions, i think it is about time that these people are thought
of as nasty, not heroes/heroines

 

[Type 7]

I suppose you have read Procopius' Secret History? If you are interested in Theodora, this is a must read, although he could be said to be a "bit" prejudiced.

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/procop-anec.html

I have shied away from Procopius because so many commentators have described his treatment of Theodora as 'prejudiced' and even 'pornographic.' At first I was trying to avoid being prejudiced by it, but then I kinda fell for Theodora and found myself despising Procopius. That's a confession on my part; I know it's silly. But don't you think that some historical figures have a way of getting into our hearts? We feel for them. And why shouldn't we?
But I suppose that I really should read it since it's regarded as one of 'the' sources. So I will. Thanks for the link.

 

[Type 7]

Bodica, boy was she some toughie.

Boudicca was one bad ass broad! I'd vote for her for president. She could pinch the head off of Hilary, or any other politician for that matter.

From wiki
"she was possessed of greater intelligence than often belongs to women, she was tall, had long red hair down to her hips, a harsh voice and a piercing glare, and habitually wore a large golden necklace (perhaps a torc), a many-coloured tunic and a thick cloak fastened by a brooch"

Sounds like she cut quite the figure! I love a fierce redhead!
Wolram, do you watch Battlefield Britain? They show it over here on PBS. The episode Boudicca's Revolt was great stuff. That whole series is good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudica

 

[arildno]

Margareth I of Denmark (1353-1412).
During her son's minority, she unified under her rule the three Scandinavian countries Denmark, Norway and Sweden:

[PLAIN]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_I_of_Denmark[/URL]

Her legacy, the Kalmar union, lasted about a century.

 

[Heidijr]

Hi, all. I'm new to this forum -- was just looking at fascinating women in History and stumbled across this. I love all the women listed here in the forum, and I've a few to add, if you don't mind. :)

Artemisia I & II from Halicarnassus -- the first participated with Xerxes in his war against Greece and fought in the Battle of Salamis. The second built the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven wonders of the ancient world. Both fascinating in their own rights. Also Artemisia Gentileschi, a Baroque painter in Italy and England. Her father successfully sued another painter over her rape, and she stuck to her guns even through several weeks of torture. She's also the author of one of my favorite quotes -- "Dum vivo regum esse meum" or "As long as I live I will have control over my being."

Since someone brought up Hildegard von Bingen, whose music I love and have sung, I thought I'd throw in Julian of Norwich. She was an amazing woman, a mystic in 14th century England who had no formal learning but wrote some beautiful works. I encourage people to check her out.

Well, there are so many more women I could name, but I'll stop there for now. :) Thanks for letting me ramble!

 

[Evo]

Hi Heidijr, welcome to the forum! Great additions to the list, I look forward to more contributions from you.

 

[Heidijr]

Thanks, although I'm not sure you want to encourage me. I'm an Historian, so once I get started, I tend to ramble forever. :)

 

[turbo]

Harriet Tubman was one brave lady. She was personally responsible for the escapes of hundreds of slaves and had a large price on her head, though not under her own name. The underground railroad conductor that the slave-owners wanted killed was known only as "Moses" - they did not suspect she was a woman. During the Civil War, she directed a network of black spies.

 

[Evo]

Thanks, although I'm not sure you want to encourage me. I'm an Historian, so once I get started, I tend to ramble forever. :)

Wonderful! I'd love to see increased activity here. Ramble on!

 

[Astronuc]

Well, there are so many more women I could name, but I'll stop there for now. :) Thanks for letting me ramble!

Don't stop! Please continue.

I think women in history are woefully undereported and under-represented.

 

[Heidijr]

Oh, well, you're just encouraging me! *L* Let me trawl through my brain here and see what I can net...

Zenobia, queen of Palmyra. She captured Egypt from the Romans in the 3rd century and kept it for about five years until finally conquered by Aurelian. He was so impressed by here, though, that he gave her a villa on the Tiber, and she wound up becoming a prominent philosopher and socialite.

One of the best books I've discovered about women in history is Warrior Queens by Antonia Fraser. It's fantastic.

 

[jim mcnamara]

I'd like to think/hope Enheduanna of Sumeria was somebody very special.

What she wrote about in 2240BC tells us that she was an important person.

It says little else, so it is hard to tell what the role of women was in Sumeria at the time. She could have been a real one-time wonder, or maybe just an excellent example of a lot of women who held authority at the time. The former is much more likely.

In general women seem to have been chattel more than they were human in ancient times.

 

[mheslep]

Abigail Adams - she matched J. Adams and Jefferson word for wonderful word in that correspondence; and for her "remember the lades, be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors" letter to the Continental Congress and Adams

Dolley Madison -

During her husband's political life, Dolley Madison was noted as a gracious hostess, whose sassy, ebullient personality, love of feathered turbans, and passion for snuff (tobacco) seemed at odds with her Quaker upbringing. However, probably her most lasting achievement was her rescue of valuable treasures, including state papers and a Gilbert Stuart painting of President George Washington, from the White House before it was burned by the British army in 1814 during the War of 1812.

and she slept w/ sabre near her bedside should a British soldier appear

Cleopatra - Traveled impeccably on the barge, fine political maneuvering, stylish death w/ the asp.

 

[grafica]

hai
upto me the fasinating women is mother terasa..
no one can have such a tender heart.