Ancient women rulers

Helen_Davis · Post by **Helen_Davis** » Wed October 31st, 2012, 6:40 pm

I am now obsessed with the ancient world since starting my alternate history series about Cleopatra and Egypt. I am interested in many of the ancient queens. I particularly want to learn more about the earlier Ptolemaic queens, Semarimis, and Persian/Parthian queens.

Carla · Post by **Carla** » Thu November 1st, 2012, 7:51 pm

[quote=""Andromeda_Organa""]I am now obsessed with the ancient world since starting my alternate history series about Cleopatra and Egypt. I am interested in many of the ancient queens. I particularly want to learn more about the earlier Ptolemaic queens, Semarimis, and Persian/Parthian queens.[/quote]

Warrior Queens by Antonia Fraser has a couple of chapters on ancient queens, including Semiramis and Zenobia of Palmyra. I think I've mentioned it here before but can't remember the thread. There isn't a great deal of detail, but the reference lists at the back may take you to more detailed books.

Antoine Vanner · Post by **Antoine Vanner** » Fri November 2nd, 2012, 6:01 pm

[quote=""Carla""]Warrior Queens by Antonia Fraser has a couple of chapters on ancient queens, including Semiramis and Zenobia of Palmyra. I think I've mentioned it here before but can't remember the thread. There isn't a great deal of detail, but the reference lists at the back may take you to more detailed books.[/quote]

I've visited Palmyra twice, though with the current unrest in Syria I doubt I'll be able to see it again for some time! It is a stunning experience - acres and acres of tumbled remains of the Graeco-Roman period - the time of Zenobia's heyday - and subterranean tombs there are still being discovered. Riding through it on camels with my daughter at the first light of dawn was a very memorable experience.

It's also one of the last places where British troops fought French troops - during the British invasion of Syria there was a battle there against the Vichy French garrison in July 1941.

Helen_Davis · Post by **Helen_Davis** » Mon November 5th, 2012, 8:39 pm

[quote=""Antoine Vanner""]I've visited Palmyra twice, though with the current unrest in Syria I doubt I'll be able to see it again for some time! It is a stunning experience - acres and acres of tumbled remains of the Graeco-Roman period - the time of Zenobia's heyday - and subterranean tombs there are still being discovered. Riding through it on camels with my daughter at the first light of dawn was a very memorable experience.

It's also one of the last places where British troops fought French troops - during the British invasion of Syria there was a battle there against the Vichy French garrison in July 1941.[/quote]

Do you know of any novels about these queens?

Carla · Post by **Carla** » Tue November 6th, 2012, 12:15 pm

This one is sort of about Zenobia - The Chronicle of Zenobia: The Rebel Queen, by Judith Weingarten. I say 'sort of' about Zenobia because she appears about halfway through, and the central character is a diplomat/lawyer called Simon. The author is an archaeologist so the historical detail is extensive. I reviewed it a few years back: http://carlanayland.blogspot.co.uk/2008 ... en-by.html.

Helen_Davis · Post by **Helen_Davis** » Sun November 11th, 2012, 2:56 pm

Do you know any others, Carla?

Brenna · Post by **Brenna** » Sun November 11th, 2012, 6:31 pm

Pauline Gedge wrote a book on Hatsheput "Child In Morning." Don't know if that is what you were looking for but it's one idea.

Antoine Vanner · Post by **Antoine Vanner** » Sun November 11th, 2012, 7:10 pm

H.Rider-Haggard's"She" must count as the ultimate as regards Women Rulers!

A book once read, never forgotten!

Carla · Post by **Carla** » Mon November 12th, 2012, 7:55 pm

[quote=""Helen_Davis""]Do you know any others, Carla?

[/quote]

I can't at the moment think of any others that I've read. Have you checked the very comprehensive list of ancient history novels on Margaret's site? http://www.historicalnovels.info/Ancient.html

Depending on how ancient you want to go, the prehistory page may have some that would interest you as well: http://www.historicalnovels.info/Prehistoric.html

annis · Post by **annis** » Tue November 13th, 2012, 6:43 am

Posted by Antoine Vanner

H.Rider-Haggard's"She" must count as the ultimate as regards Women Rulers!

The terrible but seductive "She" makes an appearance as the "Mistress" in Blood of Alexandria, one of Richard Blake's Aelric novels set in the early seventh century - fun if you enjoy plenty of tongue-in-cheek historical action and intrigue. X-rated for sex, bloody violence and general consumption of intoxicating substances, though, so won't be everyone's cup of tea

Historical Fiction Online

Ancient women rulers

Ancient women rulers

Zenobia of Palmyra

"She who must be obeyed" lives!