Iran

Damaspia Shahbanu – King Artaxerxes I of the Babylonian Empire’s elusive but powerful Persian Queen who was mentioned in the Bible

Damaspia Shahbanu was the queen consort of King Artaxerxes I of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. She was also the mother of King Xerxes II. However, very little information is known about her. Her origins are elusive. The most famous reference to Damaspia Shahbanu comes from the Bible in Nehemiah 2:6.[1] While very little known facts about [read more]

August Empress Dowager Fu

August Empress Dowager Fu – The Many Titled and Privileged Empress Dowager

August Empress Dowager Fu was originally an imperial concubine to Emperor Yuan of the Western Han Dynasty. She was also Emperor Yuan’s favourite.[1] She was also the grandmother of Emperor Ai of the Western Han Dynasty. August Empress Dowager Fu was influential in making her grandson the Emperor.[2] Because of her influence, she was given [read more]

China

Princess Hua Rong – An innocent victim of her husband’s ambitions

Princess Hua Rong is most famous for her poem “Dancing Song.”[1] However, her husband, Prince Liu Dan, was ambitious and power-hungry.[2] He would make several unsuccessful attempts to become Emperor of China. Because of her husband’s grand ambitions, Princess Hua Rong met a tragic end. In circa 116 B.C.E., Princess Hua Rong was born.[3] Her origins are unknown.[4] [read more]