PERSIA
WOMEN WARRIORS
![](PersianWarriorWomanArcher.jpg)
Persian
Warrior Woman Archer – Replica Plate of the original Greek
Art
Women
in Persia, had equal amount of rights as men and were treated with
great respect. They enjoyed social and legal freedom, and were active
members of the society. For example, they had employment opportunities
and earned wages. Also, they were able to engage in religion, and
even had the chance to become a priest. In addition, they shared
their responsibilities and decisions with men while still being
able to have control over their own wealth and economic independence.
Surprisingly, women were also allowed to manage and own their own
property. Lastly, the Persian women were great fighters. Some women
even joined the Sassanid army where they would fight with swords
mostly on horseback. In conclusion, women in Persia had the same
amount of rights and privileges as men.
Women
in Ancient Persian Empire were valuable beings; they often had important
positions in the Courthouse, Cabinet Ministries, Military, State
Department, Financial Institutions and other official administrations.
Later on, during the First Arab Invasion-Occupation (651 AD), some
of the Persian Women gathered Commando and Guerrilla armies, and
some associated with their fellow men, combining the resistance
forces against the foreign oppressors.
Those
brave Persian Women with cooperation of their brave male partners,
had managed to free Iran from the "First Arab Invasion-Occupation"
(651 AD). The sacrifices of Iranian men and women, under the leadership
of Yaqub Leis Saffarid, the son of a simple coppersmith, had freed
Iran on 873 AD and ended the 222 years of Arab occupation (651 AD
- 873 AD) of Iran.
Women
of Iran, once upon a time, you were Ruling Monarchs, Queens, Prime
Ministers, Secretaries of State, Military Generals, Navy Admirals,
and Empresses of the land.
Kaveh
Farrokh’s explains in her lecture the role of women on the
Iranian plateau from the Bronze Age both before and after the Indo-European
arrivals. The prime importance of women in Iranian speaking tribes
in the Caucasus, Eastern Europe and Central Asia (i.e. Scythians,
Sarmatians, etc.) and the Iranian plateau are detailed, notably
the Achaemenid and the ensuing Partho-Sassanian eras.
![](PersianImmortalWarriorWomanattacksGreekCavalrywithSpear.jpg)
Persian
Immortal Warrior Woman with her spear (left) attacks the Greek Cavalry
(right) on horseback - Replica art from the original Greek Vase
Persian female names and meaning :
Mitra
(Mithra) = Sun Goddess (Goddess of the Major Ancient Persian Religion
of Mitraism)
Mandana = Eternal
Artemis (Artemisia) = The great speaker of truth
Atusa = Beautiful body
Artadokht = Truthful girl
Armineh = Happy
Irandokht = Iranian girl
Parto = Light
Mahtab = Moonlight
Bita = Unique
Goltan = Flower body
Golbu = Flower fragrance
Roxanna = Very bright and beautiful
Mehrnush = Sun drinker
Tajik = Free Iranian
Farzaneh = Intelligent
Dana = Intelligent
Nazi = Pretty, sexy, cute
Mahdokht = Moon girl
Azad = Free
Azadeh = Liberated
List
of names of Persian women warriors :
Ahreeman
X Dynasty :
1.
Pantea (strong and immortal) [6 BC]
Cyrus II the Great [Kourosh II] (559 BC - 530 BC)
Commander of the Immortal Guards (Elite Units), Achaemenids Dynasty.
An important and sensitive military commander of Cyrus the Great,
wife of General Aryasb the Achaemenid's Arteshbod (General).
Note
1 : Special Infiltration Units (Special Forces) of the Immortals
wore their swords on their back during the special operations; this
would allow their hands and bodies to be free for maneuvering, crawling,
climbing, hand to hand combat and surprise attacks.
Note 2 : Desert Combat Units wore scarves or masks on their faces
to protect their noses and mouths from the desert sands during the
sand storms.
2. Artunis (true and faithful) [6 BC – 5 BC]
Darius I the Great [Dariush I] (522 BC - 486 BC)
Commander of Achaemenid's Army, daughter of Artebaz, Sepahbod (Lieutenant
General) of Darius the Great. She was a mighty brave woman.
3. Artemis AKA Artemisia (the great speaker of truth) [5
BC]
Xerxes I the Great [Kheshayar Sha] (486 BC - 466 BC)
Artemis or Artemisia, The legendary Grand Admiral and leader of
the Persian Navy during Xerxes, Xerxes' great love. A great powerful,
independent and intelligent woman.
Artemisia
the Persian Grand Admiral Woman Warrior of Xerxes the Great. Artemisia
often fought with two swords.
4. Pari Satis (angel-like) [5 BC]
Darius II (423 BC - 404 BC)
Arteshbod (General) of Achaemenid's Army, wife of Darius the Second.
She
was great Warrior Woman, Arteshbod General (Field Marshal) and wife
of Darius II Shahanshah of Iran
5. Amestris (friend) [5 BC – 4 BC]
Darius II (423 BC - 404 BC)
Achaemenid's military commander, daughter of Darius the Second.
6. Aspas (guard of strength) [4 BC]
Artaxerxes II the Mindful (404 BC - 359 BC)
Commander of Achaemenid's police, daughter of Ardeshir the Second.
7. Sissy Cambis (fortunate) [4 BC]
Darius III (336 BC - 330 BC)
Queen Mother, mother of Darius the Third, she was a remarkable Achaemenid
woman who fought, resisted and did not surrender to Alexander
8. Estatira (Creation of the stars) [4 BC]
Darius III (336 BC - 330 BC)
Sepahbod Princess (Lieutenant General) of Achaemenid's Army, daughter
of Darius the Third.
Estatira was a brave woman. She never begged for mercy to Alexander.
9. Roxanna (very bright and beautiful) [4 BC]
Darius III (336 BC - 330 BC)
Princess of Achaemenid, daughter of Darius the Third.
10. Youtab (unique) [4 BC]
Darius III (336 BC - 330 BC)
Commander of Achaemenids' Army, sister of the legendary Persian
Hero, Ariobarzan (Achaemenid's General), she stood side by side
to her brother and fought the Greeks and Macedonians to death.
Arsacid Dynasty :
11.
Artadokht (Truthful girl) [1 AD]
Artabanus IV (80 AD – 81 AD) {Parthian Empire Era}
Artabanus IV (81 AD - 90 AD) {His 2nd Reign after Empire Era during
Multi Parthian Kingdoms}
She was Secretary of Treasury during Ardavan the Fourth of Ashkanids
(Arsacid) Dynasty
![](ArtadokhtParthianWomanTreasurySecretaryofArdavanIVArsacidIran.jpg)
Artadokht
12.
Sura (Flower Face) [3 AD]
Artabanus V (213 AD - 224 AD)
One of the Greatest Heroines of Persian History, A strategical and
Military Genius. Ashkanid's General, Sepahbod (Lieutenant General)
of the Ashkanid Empire, daughter of Ardavan the Fifth, father's
right hand. Sura was a brave Persian patriot. Ardavan V (Artabanus
V) was the last of Arsacids concurrent with Ardashir I (224 - 241)
Sassanid. Ardeshir eventually eliminated Ardavan’s rule.
Sassanid Dynasty :
13.
Azadokht (Free Girl) [3 AD]
Shapour I the Great (241 - 272)
Queen of Iran and wise wife of Shapour the Great
14. Golandam (flower body) [5 AD]
Bahram V [Bahram Gur or Bahram the Zebra] (420 - 438)
Shahbanu of Iran, wife of Bahram Gur Sassanid.
15. Parin (same as an angel) [5 AD – 6 AD]
Qobad I (488 - 496)
Qobad I {Restored his kingdom} (499 - 531)
Sassanid Princess, daughter of Qobad, Counselor of the Sassanid
Courthouse, extremely intelligent politician. She was a superb stateswoman.
16. Purandokht (Beautiful girl) [630 – 631]
Khosrow II [Khosrow Parviz or Khosrow the Victorious] (590)
Khosrow II [Khosrow Parviz or Khosrow the Victorious] {Restored
his kingdom} (591 - 628)
Empress of Iran (ruling monarch), older sister of Azarmidokht, older
daughter of Khosrow Parviz, ruled Iran.
17. Azarmidokht (Youthful girl) [631 – 632]
Khosrow II [Khosrow Parviz or Khosrow the Victorious] (590)
Khosrow II [Khosrow Parviz or Khosrow the Victorious] {Restored
his kingdom} (591 - 628)
Empress of Iran (ruling monarch), daughter of Khosrow Parviz, ruled
Iran after her sister Purandokht, Sassanid Dynasty.
18. Apranik (Daughter of elder) [7 AD]
Yazdgird III (632 - 651)
Sassanid's Great Military Commander, daughter of Piran, the great
General of Yazdgird the Third. She fought gracefully, as a resistance
commander, fighting against Arabs during the Arab Invasion, killed
many of the Tazis and done many damages to the Arab Army.
Apranik,
was a Sassanid High Ranking Commander of Army. Like her father,
she decided to become a professional soldier. Piran was a famous
Persian General, and when Arabs invaded our land Piran was like
a solid rock standing on their way. Apranik since childhood, she
loved military. She was Father's Right hand, and the amazing Nationalistic
Feelings that she developed during her teenage years, forced her
to become a military person. Apranik, joined the mighty Persian
Army. Due to her worthiness, and not her father's influence, she
climbed the steps of progress, one by one and after her complete
education, she managed to rise from a petty officer, to a full commander
of the Persian Army.
When
Arabs invaded Iran, Apranik took the command of a major battalion
of his father's Army. For years to come, Apranik, first fought an
official war with the Arabs, and later on when all hopes were destroyed,
Apranik, started her Hit and Run Rebellious Campaign against the
Arabs. Apranik's Commando Warfare was legendary. Apranik’s
campaigns put the fear of Persian Rebels.
![](ApranikPersianSassanianWarriorWomanArmyCommander.jpg)
Apranik
Arab
Occupation Era :
19.
Negan (good destiny) [7 AD]
A freedom Fighter Leader, A Guerrilla Commander during Sassanids
and after the occupation, one of the major resistance fighters of
Iran against the Arab Invasion.
Negan
was not a military woman, nor a woman of nobility, yet she had a
heart full of love of Iran. She had decided to pick up the sword
and lead a band of resistance fighters against the Arabs who invaded
Persia.
20. Azad (Free) [8 AD]
Deylami Guerrilla Commander, a partisan leader from north Iran,
who fought for many years with her band of freedom fighters against
the Arabs.
Azad
was a Persian Warrior Woman Daylamite Guerrilla Commander of Gilan.
Freedom Fighter Azad as a successor, the same as her predecessors
Artemisia and Apranik, often fought with two swords. Azad was a
superb archer and dagger thrower. Azad was a fine example of a strong
Gilak Woman from Gilan.
The
central area of activity for Azad was State of Daylam (today's Gilan).
Azad a Daylami (Gilani) Guerrilla Commander, a partisan leader from
Caspian Sea shores in north Iran, who fought for various years with
her freedom fighters against the Arabs. Azad was from Daylam (Today's
State of Gilan). Daylam had a history of rebellion. Until this day,
State of Gilan has been the mother and the home for many of the
Revolutionaries and freedom fighters of Iran. Azad-e Daylami (Azad
of Daylam) was one of the very first brave daughters of this region.
She became one of the most famous freedom fighters of the region
and a symbol of Persian Resistance.
21. Banu (Lady) [9 AD]
Babak Khoramdin (798 – 838)
Wife of Babak Khoramdin (Persian Legendary Freedom Fighter), she
fought side by side to her husband Babak.
After the occupation of Iran by the Arabs, Banu and Babak worked
as revolutionary resistance fighters leading the Red Shirts Sect
and the Persian Resistance Militia. She fought to the end.
The
famous female commando and revolutionary Banu, was a lioness. The
central area of activity for Banu was State of Atropatgan or Azar-Abadegan
(Today's Azerbaijan). Wife of Babak Khoramdin (Persian Legendary
Freedom Fighter), she fought side by side to her husband Babak,
during the occupation of Iran by Arabs. She fought to the end. She
was the better half of Babak Khoramdin. Banu was a temperamental
Azeri Woman, with determination of steel from Azerbaijan or as it
used to be called State of "Atropatgan". This amazing
woman was a skilled archer; she grew up with her bow and arrows!
She was Babak's partner in life and death, in war and peace.
Banu was a symbol of Pure Persian Pride, Azeri Style! Banu and Babak
fought the Arabs for years, they lived and they died as Proud Persians.
22. Buran (Pretty) [9 AD]
Al Ma'mun (813 - 817)
Al Ma'mun {Restored his Caliphate} (819 - 833)
The Persian Prime Minister of the Islamic Empire during Caliph Ma'mun
of Abbassids Caliphate. Buran was the wise Wazir during the occupation
of Iran by Arabs. She was daughter of Hassan Sahl; she has done
many goods for the Persians and Persian status under the occupation
of Caliphate.
Buran's
time was later on during the occupation years. When Arabsruled every
aspect of life in Persia, and when fighting by the sword and arch
was not possible, Buran the wise daughter of Hassan Sahl launched
a different type of a battle! She grew up to become a politician.
Furthermore, she became the first female Wazir (Prime Minister);
morely, the first Non Arab Wazir of the complete Islamic Empire!
Just imagine the sound of that! A female Persian Wazir in the Arab
court of Ma'mun, The Caliph of Abbasid! A Persian woman with that
kind of power, could do many goods for Iran, and indeed she did.
She actually fought the Arab Hierarchy from within. She was in the
inside, way inside; therefore, she started her famous "Changes
from the Within" reforms. Buran, Daughter of Sahl, fought the
political war and forced many reforms for the benefit of the Persians'
Lives to the Abbasid's Government. During her years in office, she
fought for the rights of Minorities (Non Arabs) in the Islamic Empire.
Buran
made life much easier for Persians and other Non-Arabs under the
reign of the Islamic Empire.
Non Arabs like Persians were second class citizens, blacks were
practically slaves and women had no rights under the Arabo-Islamic
Empire. Imagine Buran a Persian woman as the Wazir of this empire!
Buran was a reformist within the Arab Regime.
Source
:
https://iranpoliticsclub.net/
history/historical-women/
index.htm
https://iranpoliticsclub.net/
history/historical-women2/
index.htm