Jan. 2023– Iran is a country with a rich history and culture. While it may be best known in the Western world for its recent political turmoil, there have been many influential women throughout Iran’s long history.
As a parent, it’s important to teach your children about the contributions of women throughout history. And what better place to start than with some of the most prominent women in Persian history? From queens and warriors to poets and activists, these inspiring women helped shape the course of their country’s story.
So, read on to learn more about powerful women from Persia’s past.
Atoosa
Atoosa was no ordinary woman – she was the daughter of Cyrus the Great, a strong and independent ruler in her own right. As if that wasn’t enough for one lifetime, Atoosa also managed to be queen three times over. She had an astute business acumen and founded her brining stability to the empire her father founded.
When she found an uncomfortable growth on her breast, it was the advanced Greek medical “science” that Atoosa relied upon for treatment–highlighting her wisdom and intelligence.
Atoosa is featured in the children’s book My Name is Cyrus.
In ancient times, marriage was a means of securing alliances and consolidating power. As a daughter of Cyrus, Atoosa was greatly sought after as a wife. To preserve the dynasty their father had established, Atoosa married her two brothers, Cambyses II and Bardia. Marriage between close relatives, even sisters and brothers, were practiced in those days. Atoosa married Darius I (the Great, 522-486 BCE) after both her brothers were killed.
Her son with Darius, Xerxes I succeeded Darius.
After Darius died, Atoosa was in a challenging position because Darius had other children from other wives. Polygamy was a common practice in order to tie powerful families more closely. After Darius passed, his children scrambled to succeed him. Atoosa demonstrated the greatest influence of her life during this time and ensured that Xerxes succeeded his father. She played an instrumental role even after Xerxes sat on the throne and deterred all possible challenges to his rule.
Pantea Arteshbod
Pantea was a Persian Lieutenant Commander who served in the army of Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE.
She was crucial to the Battle of Opis, which resulted in the fall of Babylonia. She also helped her husband to create the most renowned fighting forces of the ancient world called 10,000 ‘Persian Immortals’. The Ten Thousand Immortals were the elite force of the Persian army of the Achaemenid Empire from 550 to 330 BCE. They formed the king’s personal bodyguard and were also considered the shock troops of the infantry in Persian warfare.
Women’s leadership was held in high regard and celebrated during ancient Persian times. Lieutenant Commander Artunis, daughter of general Artebaz, served honorably with Pantea as part of the esteemed army under Cyrus and Darius I.
Artemisia I of Caria
Artemisia I is hailed as one of the most powerful women of the ancient world. As the best-known woman warrior of the Achaemenid period, she was an admiral in Xerxes I’s navy 480 BCE.
Artemisa was the only member of Xerxes’ war council to argue against confronting the Greeks in a sea battle at Salamis, a conflict that resulted in a major loss for Persia, according to Herodotus, who actually lived during her time. Xerxes valued her counsel but ignored her advice. Artemisia brought five ships and fought heroically. The defeat of Xerxes’s navy at Salamis eventually triggered his downfall.
Artemisia succeeded her deceased husband as the regent of Caria, and is believed that she ruled until she passed away.
Historians were obsessed with Artemisia. Herodotus praised her so much that his critics complain he focused on her far too much. The writer Photius (c. 858 CE) came up with a story that Artemisia fell in love with a prince named Dardanus and committed suicide after he rejected her. There is no evidence that supports the story, and it is highly unlikely that a woman who showed such strength would end her life over the love of a man.
She is also featured in 2014 film 300: Rise of an Empire, a movie Iranians argue is biased and has distorted history.
Pourandokht
Pourankokht, also known as Boran and Buran, or Burandokht was the daughter of Kosrow II (r. 590-628 CE) who took the throne in 629/630 CE, becoming the first Empress of the Sassanian Empire.
Pourandokht is featured in the children’s book The Persian Warrior and her Queen.
At a time of great turmoil, Pourandokht rose to the throne and showed remarkable resilience in unifying her people. During her reign, Persia was threatened by devastating civil wars and invasions from both Arab-Muslims forces as well as Byzantium. Yet through it all she managed to reunite an empire on the brink of collapse. She restored some stability by establishing diplomatic relations with the Byzantine Empire and improving the economy.
She was assassinated by a rival political faction who replaced her with Yazdegerd III.
Apranik
Apranik was the commander of the Sassanian army against the invading Arab-Muslim forces during the reign of Yazdegerd III (632-651 CE).
She is the main character in The Persian Warrior and her Queen.
In 7th century Persia, the unflinching Apranik took a brave stand against formidable odds, according to oral history. Undaunted by defeat in this legendary clash between Muslim Arab forces and Sassanian troops, she waged an inspiring guerilla war until her life finally ended on the battlefield.
Banu
Most Iranians still view the renowned female commando and revolutionary Banu as a hero. She was from Azerbaijan, a province of Persia.
Banu was a fierce warrior from childhood, honing her skills with bow and arrow. Fated to meet and marry Babak Khorramdin – an ardent freedom fighter who had taken up arms against the oppressive Abbasid Caliphate that enslaved Persia for two centuries – their union led to a daring rebellion movement.
Their supporters wore red and were known as the red clothed ones.
Perched atop a mountain of 8530 feet, Badd Castle was the epicenter for their movement between 816 and 837 AD. Nestled in the mountains and ravines which provided natural defenses from external forces, even a handful of Khorramdin warriors had no trouble taking down large numbers of enemies. Sneaky invaders never stood a chance during wintertime.
Babak and Banu took full advantage of the strategic location of the castle and struck at Arab forces like lightning, then vanished into thin air.
Eventually, a close friend and ally of Babak betrayed them. Both were captured and executed.
Today Iranians visit the ruins of the castle in north-eastern Iran on July 10 every year to honor their memory and those of their fighters.
Forough Farrokhzad
Forough Farokhzad, the beloved 20th century Iranian poetess who fearlessly faced societal norms and gender roles with her renowned lyricism is perhaps the most influential woman of our recent history. Her bold work, as a poet and filmmaker, were a beacon of hope for women in Iran to break away from centuries of male dominance, reclaim their autonomy and express themselves without judgement or prejudice.
Frrokhzad’s brave poetry projects broke moral, societal, and religious taboos that women had been going against for decades. She gave courage to so many thousands of women to express themselves with heart and power and to influence the future. The topics she touched upon made many to reconsider what they think was worth protecting or defending. Ultimately, they inspired a whole new generation of rebel female creators who have driven even more change in society today. Millions of younger women were inspired by her verses, feeling the burning spark of fresh hope and motivation through listening to her stories. Her words still remain a hallmark of beginning what could be viewed as an uprising rebellion among a people who can longer remain silent.
