African Women of the Ancient World
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Discover the untold stories of Africa's warrior queens, rulers who defied empires, led armies, and shaped the course of history. In African Women of the Ancient World, journey through millennia to uncover the lives of powerful women like Queen Amanirenas, who challenged the might of Rome, Queen Nzinga Mbande, who fought against the Portuguese slave trade, and Dahia al-Kahina, who defended North Africa from Arab invasion.These extraordinary women, often overshadowed by their male counterparts, ruled with unparalleled strategy, pride, and ferocity, navigating their nations through intense battles and radical changes. From the great Pharaoh Hatshepsut of Egypt to Queen Makeda of Sheba, whose legacy is intertwined with the legends of King Solomon, these rulers are the unsung champions of ancient history.In this volume Clark brings these remarkable figures to life, drawing from excellent sources to illuminate their conquests and reigns. A treasure trove for scholars and history enthusiasts alike, this book offers a compelling exploration of the women who fiercely defended their lands and people, and whose stories are finally being told.
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From Madagascar, Nubia, Egypt, Algeria, and beyond, this isn’t history wrapped in dry academia—it pulses with life, with setting, and with complexity.
The women portrayed here are not polished icons—they’re leaders. Some inspire awe, others provoke horror. I found myself deeply disturbed by the portrayal of the queen of Madagascar (Ranavalona I), whose reign was soaked in blood and torture, particularly in her persecution of Christians. Yet the narrative hesitates, offering lines like “whether she was right or wrong,” as if such barbarity lives in a grey zone. It doesn’t. And moral flexibility in the face of religious slaughter is something I find impossible to accept. You know, that moral flexibility that appears only when Christians are persecuted and slaughtered.
In contrast, Dahia al-Kahina, the Jewish queen of Algeria, stood out as a revelation. Her strength, intelligence, and resistance against Arab conquest stayed with me long after I finished the book. I could easily imagine her as the centre of a sweeping historical novel—and someone should definitely write it. It just shows how fierce Jewish women are when faced with the horror of Muslim barbarians.
Above all, I appreciated that Clark, for the most part, avoided the trend of turning these women into modern ideological symbols. She presents their triumphs, flaws, and legacies with elegance and restraint, allowing readers to think, react, and—importantly—judge.
A challenging, often powerful read that doesn’t always get it right—but never stops being compelling.
Many thanks to Pen & Sword History and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.