Also known as “Tandang Sora” or “Old Sora”, Melchora Aquino de Ramos (1812 – 1919), Filipino revolutionary, played an important role during the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution by supporting the revolutionaries. The Spanish Philippines Little is known about Melchora Aquinos life before the P
In Sweden, the archaeological site of Birka includes the tomb of an important Viking warrior, buried with weapons, horses and symbols of warlike tactics and strategies. A mans grave, its discoverers surmised. Until studies revealed that it was actually a woman. The skjaldmös , women and warriors
Queen of Neustria, wife of King Chilperic I er , Frédégonde (circa 545 – 597) exercised power with her husband and then alone, and played a leading political role in her time. Ambitious, she is remembered as a cruel and power-hungry queen; she is particularly known for her rivalry with Queen Bruneh
Visigoth princess then queen of the Franks, Brunehaut (circa 547 – 613) reigned for 33 years. She is known in particular for her conflicted relationship with the queen of Neustria of her time, Fredegonda . From Visigoth princess to queen of the Franks Born around 547, at the beginning of the Midd
Xiao Yanyan, also known as Xiao Chuo or Empress Dowager Chengtian (953–1009) was a Khitan Empress of the Liao dynasty. A military leader, she personally leads her own army, achieves resounding victories and negotiates peace. The Liao dynasty Xiao Yanyan was born in 953 in the Khitan Empire, which
Nobleman of the Carolingian era, Dhuoda (circa 800 – after 843) is famous for his Manual to my son , a very instructive education manual that she wrote for her son Guillaume. A life full of mysteries The existence of Dhuoda is known mainly through his Manual for my son , and we know very little a
German illuminator of the XIIe century, Guda left an imprint on history, notably by creating one of the oldest female self-portraits in the history of Western art. Copies and illuminators In the Middle Ages, within the monasteries, copyists and illuminators worked in the scriptorium, copying and
Daughter of the Emperor, Anne Comnenus (1083 – around 1153) was a Byzantine historian and writer, whose work is a major source on the political history of Byzantium. The Byzantine Empire Born on the 1st or December 2, 1083, Anne Comnenus is the eldest of Empress Irene Doukas and Byzantine Emperor
Nun from Saxony, Hrotsvita of Gandersheim (between 930 and 935 – after 973) wrote spiritual or historical works in Latin, and six of the rare plays composed in the Middle Ages. She is considered the first Germanic author. An educated child The life of Hrotsvita of Gandersheim is poorly known, the
Fatimid Princess, Sitt al-Mulk ( 970 – 1023 ) assumes the regency when his half-brother dies after trying to seize power. Skillful regent, she put an end to the policy of terror of her predecessor and restarted the Fatimid empire. Daughter of Caliph Sitt al-Mulk was born in September 970 in al-Ma
A semi-legendary Chinese inventor, Huang Daopo (1240 or 1245 – 1330) is famous for developing, spreading and inventing weaving and spinning techniques, laying the foundations of the Chinese textile industry. Child-wife Little is known of Huang Daopos life. She was born between 1240 and 1245 to a
Kimpa Vita, also known as Kimpa Mvita, Dona Beatriz or Beatriz du Congo (between 1684 and 1686 – 1706) was a Kongo prophetess and the founder of a religious and political current, the Antonianist movement. A Kongo nobleman Kimpa Vita was born between 1684 and 1686 into a noble family of the King
Chinese general, Qin Liangyu or Zhensu (1574–1648) distinguished herself by defending the Ming dynasty against the attacks of the future Qing dynasty in the 17e century. An atypical education Coming from a Miao family, Qin Liangyu was born in 1574 in Zhongzhou, in central China. The Ming dynasty,
Chinese revolutionary, Gao Guiying (? – 1647) revolted against the Ming dynasty with her husband; she led all-female troops into battle in the early 17e century. Meeting with Li Zicheng Since 1368, the Ming Dynasty, the last Han-dominated Chinese dynasty, has ruled China. From the end of the 16e
Sovereign of the Taino people on the island of Ayiti, sister and wife of the cacique, Anacaona (1474 – 1503 or 1504) is famous for her resistance against Spanish colonization. Sister and wife of cacique Anacaona was born in 1474 on the island of Ayiti, now known as Hispaniola and divided between
General of the Ming dynasty army, Shen Yunying (1624–1660) took the place of her father when he died in battle. She is known for her bravery and loyalty. Educated in martial arts Shen Yunying was born in China in 1624. The daughter of a general in the Ming dynasty army, Shen Zhixu, the child took
Victoria Montou, known as Toya (? – 1805), was a Haitian fighter against slavery and for independence. She takes up arms alongside Jean-Jacques Dessalines . Slave on a plantation In Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti), then a French colony, Victoria Montou, called Toya, was exploited as a slave in
Italian mathematician and physicist , Laura Maria Catarina Bassi (1711 – 1778) was one of the first women to obtain a university chair . It largely contributed to spreading Newtonian ideas in Italy. A brilliant student Laura Maria Catarina Bassi was born between October 29 and 31, 1711 in Bologna
Venetian painter of the Renaissance, Marietta Robusti (1560? – 1590), nicknamed Tintoretta because daughter of Tintoretto, produced portraits full of talent. Tintorettos daughter The two main sources concerning the life of Marietta Robusti differ on her date of birth:according to the Vita di Jaco
Queen of the State of Sivavanga, Rani Velu Nachiyar (1730 – 1796) took up arms against the British colonial power; she is known by the nickname brave woman. Daughter and wife of sovereigns Daughter of Rani Sakandhimuthathal and Raja Chellamuthu Vijayaragunatha Sethupathy, rulers of the state of R
Key figure of the reign of Louis XIV, Sébastien le Prestre (1633-1707), marquis of Vauban , was a specialist in siege and fortification techniques. Coming from the lower nobility, he had a rich but eventful career in the service of the Sun King, for whom he exercised his talents as a military engine
A semi-legendary Chinese inventor, Huang Daopo (1240 or 1245 – 1330) is famous for developing, spreading and inventing weaving and spinning techniques, laying the foundations of the Chinese textile industry. Child-wife Little is known of Huang Daopos life. She was born between 1240 and 1245 to a
Queen of the Illyrians in the 3rd century BC, Teuta controls one of the most powerful fleets in the Mediterranean. Her acts of piracy lead her to war against Rome. Wife of Agron of Illyria “Agron, king of Illyria, and son of Pleurate, had greater armies on land and sea than his predecessors ever
Moncey enlisted in the Army at the age of 15, he won his ranks during the Revolution. But after the Fructidor coup, he is accused of being a royalist. He takes part in 18 Brumaire and supports Napoleon, he leaves the army of Italy for disagreements with Brune and Murat. He was then Inspector General