Scepter and Sword: African Warrior Queens

Dr. Solange Ashby teaches us about Nubian warrior queens, Hollywood stereotypes about Egyptian women, and why you shouldn’t trust Wikipedia.

Meet the powerful, voluptuous queens of Meroe—Amanirenas, Amanitore, Amanishakheto. While Roman noblewomen were supposed to stay hidden at home, these queens were ruling and leading their troops into battle. 

Hear how Nubian families tracked filiation through their mothers. Learn about color consciousness in the biblical story of Moses' Kushite wife. And along the way, discover what Cleopatra and Wonder Woman have in common.

Show notes and sources: womenwhowentbefore.com/african-warrior-queens

Women Who Went Before is written, produced, and edited by Rebekah Haigh and Emily Chesley.

The theme music was composed and produced by Moses Sun.

The podcast is sponsored by the Center for Culture, Society, and Religion, the Program in Judaic Studies, and the Stanley J. Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies at Princeton University.

Views expressed on the podcast are solely those of the individuals, and do not represent Princeton University.