Queen Artemisia I of Halicarnassus was a warrior queen during the Persian Empire.[1] She was known as the first woman in history to “command a ship.” [2] She greatly influenced King Xerxes of the Persian Empire.[3] She has been praised by ancient historians for her bravery and intelligence.[4]
Queen Artemisia I of Halicarnassus was most likely born during circa 520-515 B.C.E.[5] Her father was King Lygdamos I of Halicarnassus.[6] He was of Greek-Acadian origin.[7] Her mother is unknown, but historians believe that she was of Cretan origins.[8] Historians also believe that Artemisia was an only child.[9] She was to inherit her father’s throne of Halicarnassus.[10] Historians believe that Artemisia married in her late teens.[11] Her husband’s name and his origins are unknown.[12] He died after she gave birth to a son named Pisiadelis.[13]
In 480 B.C.E., Artemisia became queen regnant of Halicarnassus.[14] In that same year, Queen Artemisia I commanded five ships under King Xerxes’s military campaign against the Greeks.[15] Herodotus claims that Queen Artemisia I held a rank equal to King Xerxes’s military generals and “that her ships were some of the best in the Persian fleet.” [16] Queen Artemisia I also won King Xerxes’s admiration and respect.[17] She influenced him greatly and was known for her “decisiveness and intelligence.” [18]
Queen Artemisia I fought in the naval battles of Artemision and Thermopylae.[19] Before the Battle of Salamis, Queen Artemisia I unsuccessfully tried to prevent King Xerxes from fighting the battle.[20] However, the Battle of Salamis proved to be disastrous.[21] Queen Artemisia I managed to sink a ship and escape.[22] This made King Xerxes cry out, “My men have become women and my women men.” [23]
After the defeat at Salamis, Queen Artemisia I advised King Xerxes to leave Greece.[24] She also took King Xerxes’s sons to Ephesus.[25] Her life afterwards is unknown. One source claims that she died by throwing herself from a cliff because of her unrequited love for a younger man named Dardanus.[26] Historians believe that Queen Artemisia I died in 460 B.C.E.[27] This is because that is the year her son, Pisiadelis, became King of Halicarnassus.[28]
Artemisia I was queen regnant of Halicarnassus. She was a successful ruler because she managed to hold the throne until her death. She was also a skilled admiral. She persuaded King Xerexes to abandon his military expedition in Greece. It is no wonder why ancient historians have praised her accomplishments. There are very few known facts about this famous ancient queen. Hopefully, more details of her will come to light.
Sources:
Baker, O. R. (2023). “Artemisia: An Admirable Admiral”. Athens Journal of Humanities & Arts, 10, pp. 55-72.
“Briefing: Artemisia I”. (2005, February 10). Herald [Glasgow, Scotland], p. 19.
Dawson Maria-Dimitra, “Artemisia I”, 2007, Encyclopaedia of the Hellenic World, Asia Minor, Retrieved on May 28, 2024 from http://www.ehw.gr/l.aspx?id=7570.
Mark, J. J.(2023, June 29). “Halicarnassus.” World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved on May 28, 2024 from https://www.worldhistory.org/halicarnassus/.
Uglow, J. S., Hinton, F., & Hendry, M. (Eds.). (2005). Artemisia of Halicarnassus. In The Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Women’s Biography (4th ed.). Macmillan Publishers Ltd. Retrieved on May 28, 2024 from https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6MjQ1NjE2Ng==?aid=18566.
[1] “Briefing: Artemisia I.”, 2005
[2] “Briefing: Artemisia I.”, 2005, para. 3
[3] Dawson, 2001
[4] Dawson, 2001
[5] Baker, 2023
[6] Baker, 2023
[7] Baker, 2023
[8] Baker, 2023
[9] Baker, 2023
[10] Baker, 2023
[11] Baker, 2023
[12] Baker, 2023
[13] Baker, 2023
[14] Dawson, 2001
[15] Dawson, 2001
[16] Dawson, 2001, para. 2
[17] Dawson, 2001
[18] Dawson, 2001, para. 2
[19] Dawson, 2001; Baker, 2023
[20] Dawson, 2001
[21] Dawson, 2001
[22] Dawson, 2001
[23] Dawson, 2001, para. 4
[24] Dawson, 2001
[25] Dawson, 2001
[26] Uglow, Hinton, and Henry (Eds.), 2005
[27] Mark, 2023
[28] Mark, 2023
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