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thepastisalreadywritten · 26 days

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Legendary Warrior Women of the Ancient World

Once upon a time, there were women who challenged the might of empires and the laws of men.

They beckoned a world where the whisper of a woman's voice could quake the thrones of tyrants.

Let's delve into these legends from antiquity. 🧵⤵️

Hatshepsut

The fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, Hatshepsut reigned longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty.

She was one of the most prolific builders in Ancient Egypt.

To legitimize her reign, Hatshepsut claimed she was divinely conceived by the god Amun, who appeared to her mother in the guise of the pharaoh Thutmose I, her father.

Sappho

An ancient Greek poet from the island of Lesbos, Sappho is celebrated for her lyric poetry, which explores love and passion.

Legend says that Sappho leaped from the Leucadian cliffs due to her unrequited love for Phaon, a ferryman, demonstrating the depth of her emotional expressions that permeated her work.

Artemisia I of Caria

A queen of the ancient Greek city-state of Caria and an ally of Xerxes I during the Second Persian invasion of Greece.

In the Battle of Salamis, Artemisia was so cunning in combat that she intentionally rammed her ally's ship to escape the Greeks, convincing them she was an ally and thus avoiding capture.

Hypatia

A mathematician, astronomer and philosopher in Alexandria, Egypt, Hypatia was a renowned teacher and thinker.

Hypatia was known to drive through Alexandria in her chariot to deliver public lectures on philosophy, defying the gender expectations of her time.

Boudicca

The warrior queen of the Iceni tribe who led a major uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire in Britain.

After the Romans flogged Boudicca and raped her daughters, she rallied her tribe and neighboring tribes for revenge, resulting in the destruction of Roman settlements and the decimation of the Roman Ninth Legion.

The Trung Sisters: Trung Trac and Trung Nhi

Vietnamese military leaders who rebelled against Chinese Han dynasty rule, becoming enduring symbols of resistance.

The sisters, after witnessing the suffering of their people under Chinese rule, famously declared their independence by proclaiming:

"All the male heroes bowed their heads in submission; only the two sisters proudly stood up to avenge the country."

Khawlah bint al-Azwar

A legendary female Muslim warrior, she fought alongside the early Muslims in the battles against the Byzantine Empire.

Khawlah famously donned male warrior’s armor to rescue her brother from a Byzantine prison camp, charging into battle with such ferocity that opponents assumed she was a supernatural entity.

Joan of Arc

A French heroine and saint of the Catholic Church, Joan led French forces to victory over the English at Orléans.

Joan persuaded a skeptical Charles VII of France of her divine mission to save France by correctly predicting a military reversal at the Siege of Orleans, before any messenger could have reached them with the news.

Zenobia

The third-century queen of the Palmyrene Empire in Syria who challenged the authority of the Roman Empire.

Zenobia was so bold that she claimed descent from Cleopatra, positioning herself as the Egyptian queen's successor in defiance of Rome and marched her armies as far as Egypt and Anatolia.

Cleopatra VII

The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Cleopatra is known for her intelligence, political acumen, and dramatic love affairs.

In a famous encounter to secure her alliance with Julius Caesar, Cleopatra had herself wrapped in a carpet (or linen sack, according to some accounts) and delivered to him, emerging to charm Caesar with her wit and beauty.

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dailyarturiartfgo · 17 days

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It took me way too long but my boy is now NP5!!!

#fgo #fate grand order #taisui xingjun #hai ba trung sister #fate series #fate #trung nhi va trung trac #sketch #doodle #mini comic #saber #alter ego #I liked his older ver so much #I wanted it to be the main form ;w;#but it's still cute

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rare-prism-s · 17 days

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🌸🌧️🍃

#rareprism art #fgo #fate grand order #trung sisters #hai bà trưng #trung trac #trung nhi #ended up liking them 😔 ended up (unsuccessfully) rolling for them 😔#i wish nhi was written.....differently but i honestly like both of them #(which is a surprise bc i thought i wasn't going to care abt either of them)

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nickysfacts · 1 year

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The feminine urge to crush sexist men who ruined your life with a war elephant!⚔️

🐘🇻🇳🐘

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agardenandlibrary · 1 year

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Bronze Drum by Phong Nguyen

This is historical fiction, which is not my usual genre and probably fed into my frustrations with it. I was very interested in the setting and the story because it’s an unusual one, for me. This book is set in early Vietnam (like, 30CE early). It is the story of the Trung sisters, Trung Nhi and Trung Trac, noblewomen who live under the oppression of Han rule. The sisters start as very one-dimensional. Trung Trac is the obedient daughter. Trung Nhi is the rebellious daughter. And that’s nearly the whole of their characters. But they become more interesting as the story goes on and they begin to cross the lines between being dutiful and being rebellious. The Trung sisters eventually lead an uprising, briefly winning Vietnam’s freedom from Han rule. But the country is divided in opinion and desire. Driven by their grief, and perhaps foolishly trusting in the righteousness of their cause, the sisters soon find themselves in a battle they cannot win. I almost gave up on this book, but by the end I was drawn in and invested. This is very much a story about the relationships between women, about overthrowing the government, about symbols. I wish the rebellion and uprising had been more of the book. It occurred to me about halfway through that I might’ve liked it better as an audiobook. It very much has the style of someone telling a story, and more than that, of telling an old story, if that makes any sense. The book even begins with someone inviting the reader to listen to a story.

#bronze drum #cara reads bronze drum #phong nguyen #my book picture #my book review

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ash-and-books · 2 years

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Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb: A stunning novel of ancient Vietnam based on the true story of two warrior sisters who raised an army of women to overthrow the Han Chinese and rule as kings over a united people, for readers of Circe and The Night Tiger. Gather around, children of Chu Dien, and be brave. For even to listen to the story of the Trung Sisters is, in these troubled times, a dangerous act.

In 40 CE, in the Au Lac region of ancient Vietnam, two daughters of a Vietnamese Lord fill their days training, studying, and trying to stay true to Vietnamese traditions. While Trung Trac is disciplined and wise, always excelling in her duty, Trung Nhi is fierce and free spirited, more concerned with spending time in the gardens and with lovers. But these sister's lives—and the lives of their people—are shadowed by the oppressive rule of the Han Chinese. They are forced to adopt Confucian teachings, secure marriages, and pay ever‑increasing taxes. As the peoples' frustration boils over, the country comes ever closer to the edge of war. When Trung Trac and Trung Nhi's father is executed, their world comes crashing down around them. With no men to save them against the Han's encroaching regime, they must rise and unite the women of Vietnam into an army. Solidifying their status as champions of women and Vietnam, they usher in a period of freedom and independence for their people. Vivid, lyrical, and filled with adventure, The Bronze Drum is a true story of standing up for one's people, culture, and country that has been passed down through generations of Vietnamese families through oral tradition. Phong Nguyen's breathtaking novel takes these real women out of legends and celebrates their loves, losses, and resilience in this inspirational story of women's strength and power even in the face of the greatest obstacles.

Review:

War, love, and sisterhood. Based on the true story of two warrior sisters who raised an army of women to overthrow the Han Chinese and rule as kings over the united people from ancient Vietnam. The story follows the two daughters of a Vietnamese lord in 40 CE in the Au Lac region of Ancient Vietnam. The Lord has trained them all their lives to fight, study, and stay true to the Vietnamese traditions. Older sister Trung Trac is disciplined and wise, always excelling at her duty while younger sister Trung Nhi is fierce and free spirited, more concerned about spending her time doing as she pleases and with lovers. These sisters lives will be forever changed by the oppressive rule of the Han Chinese. They will be forced to either accept this new rule or rebel and when their father is executed they find that there is only one path left for them, vengeance and rebellion. With no man to save them these girls will come together and unite the women of Vietnam into an army and fight for their freedom and independence.This was a lyrical story filled with culture and adventure. I had a great time reading about this learning more about Vietnamese stories. As a Vietnamese person myself it was fascinating to learn something new about my own culture and to read this story that celebrates real women of legends with a story about love, loss, and resilience and the strength that we have to great our greatest obstacles

*Thanks Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

#book review #bookish #book #AAPI books #asian books

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cyborg-squid · 2 years

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“Trung Nhi: That king's face and atmosphere are a bit scary… I think. Trung Trac: Really? He's hugging these children like that. I don't think Ivan the Terrible-san is a bad person. I'd say… He rather, kinda, looks cute.”

i’m glad the sisters agree, if you don’t think Ivan is cute we can’t be friends

#fate series #fgo #fate grand order #My posts

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theoceanthatdrownthemoon-chaldea · 21 days

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The reasons that Morgan even helped us summoning Taisui are subtle hints to what her summer version would reveal about herself.

1. Her affection for the Rain clan. The Trung Kings are rain calling deities. Perhaps due to nostalgia or it's the fact that they're sisters or even a combination of both. In-game Trung Trac felt guilty about dragging her sister to death along with her with the rebellion. On the other hand there is nothing Trung Nhi wouldn't do for her sister. Morgan's adopted sister died for her.

2. The Cons. They're innocent. They played with her and let her pet them. Repaying their affection has to do with Morgan's desire to save others in the beginning of her journey. She understood and appreciated reciprocated affection/kindness. This was first started with the Rain clan. Next were her companions. Even after thousands of years as the Winter Queen it was there as seen with Baobhan Sith and PHH Habetrot.

3. Her contract with Chaldea. It was the last thing on her mind but she still reluctantly acknowledged it. This is her sense of duty.

4. Taisui. He switched between the young version and the adult version. Like Morgan, he specialised in curses. Summer Morgan does switch between her Ascension stages that represent 3 different points in her life. This point may be incorrect cause I don't want to spoil myself of the next event too much.

#my chaldea

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tigger8900 · 1 year

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Bronze Drum, by Phong Nguyen

⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

A retelling of the oral legend of the Trung sisters of ancient Vietnam, this book tells the story of Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, and how they stood up to the oppressive Chinese rule. After the execution of their father, the two sisters unite an army of women to depose the cruel Han governer who rules the Viet lands.

Historical fiction isn't my usual wheelhouse, but I was drawn to this book because it retells a particular episode from Vietnamese oral history, which shares similarities with myths and legends, which are very much my thing. On that front, this book didn't disappoint. As I was reading, the narrative voice felt very much like someone was telling the story to me, with a very descriptive, tell-don't-show style of action that stays well outside the character's heads. For me, this worked. If you prefer to be immersed in your fiction, or inhabit the minds of the characters, it probably won't work for you at all.

I found myself appreciating the side characters(Min, General Ma, etc) more than the sisters themselves, which initially bothered me. But as I think about it more, it's started to make sense. By keeping the sisters at an emotional distance they become elevated over the other characters, which fits their status as kings and heroes. Again, I think this is either something that will either work for you or won't, with no middle ground.

Something I felt iffy about was the question of historic fact vs fiction. How much of what was in this book is traditionally a part of the story of the Trung sisters, and how much did the author make up for his version? The glossary in the back clears some things up(the character Min, for example, seems to be entirely new to this telling), but other aspects are left unclear unless you happen to be familiar with the story from an outside context, which I am not. Unfortunately, I ran into so many of those "…really?" moments, which I didn't know whether were the fault of the author or of the original story, that I can't boost this book up to four stars.

#books #book review #bronze drum #phong nguyen #historical fiction

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traceydyer · 2 years

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[Download PDF] Bronze Drum: A Novel of Sisters and War - Phong Nguyen

Download Or Read PDF Bronze Drum: A Novel of Sisters and War - Phong Nguyen Free Full Pages Online With Audiobook.

[*] Download PDF Here => Bronze Drum: A Novel of Sisters and War

[*] Read PDF Here => Bronze Drum: A Novel of Sisters and War

A stunning novel of ancient Vietnam based on the true story of two warrior sisters who raised an army of women to overthrow the Han Chinese and rule as kings over a united people, for readers of Circe and The Night Tiger.Gather around, children of Chu Dien, and be brave.For even to listen to the story of the Trung Sisters is,in these troubled times, a dangerous act.In 40 CE, in the Au Lac region of ancient Vietnam, two daughters of a Vietnamese Lord fill their days training, studying, and trying to stay true to Vietnamese traditions. While Trung Trac is disciplined and wise, always excelling in her duty, Trung Nhi is fierce and free spirited, more concerned with spending time in the gardens and with lovers.But these sister's lives?and the lives of their people?are shadowed by the oppressive rule of the Han Chinese. They are forced to adopt Confucian teachings, secure marriages, and pay ever?increasing taxes. As the peoples' frustration boils over, the country comes ever closer to the

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city-of-ladies · 4 years

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Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị - Vietnamese warrior sisters

The Trưng sisters are Vietnamese national heroines who led a revolt to free their people during 1st century CE.

The sisters were born around 14 CE in a country under Chinese rule. The Han Chinese had indeed conquered the northern Vietnamese provinces in 111 BCE. Their father was a nobleman and military leader. Their mother reportedly trained them in the martial arts during their childhood.

In 36 CE, a new governor, To Dinh (or Su Ting in Chinese), arrived in their province and implemented oppressive measures such as new taxes on the peasants. Trưng Trắc, who was said to be of “brave and fearless disposition”, mobilized the local lords against the governor. Later Vietnamese historians told that the sisters rebelled because the governor had executed Trưng Trắc’s husband, Thi Sách. Historian Keith Taylor claims that this story was made up since the Chinese sources clearly state that Thi Sách was alive and followed his wife’s initiative. The Chinese sources are indeed the first recorded narrative of the sisters’ rebellion. This change could possibly have been made due to the patriarchal ideas of the later centuries, making it hard for historians to accept that a woman could have led a rebellion while her husband still lived.

The sisters’ example shows the elevated status of women in ancient Vietnam. Their mother’s tomb and spirit temple have, for instance, been preserved while nothing remains for their father. Female generals also played an important role in their uprising.

Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị raised an army of 80,000 soldiers, many of whom were women. In one province, 32 of the 69 generals of their army were women. Numerous heroines left their mark in history. One of them was general Le Chan. The daughter of a teacher and doctor, she caught the eye of the Chinese governor To Dinh, who wanted her to become his wife. Le Chan fled and her family was executed in reprisal. Determined to avenge them, Le Chan recruited soldiers, trained them and joined the sisters’ rebellion. Other important female generals of their army were Dieu Tien, Bao Chan, Nguyen Thai, Nguyet Do as well as the sister’s mother.

The sisters conquered 65 citadels, expelling the Chinese from Vietnam and became queens. Some historians claim that Thi Sách must have been dead at this point, but this is not necessarily true. The sisters abolished the taxes and ruled over their kingdom for two years. The Chinese emperor was determined to regain his control over the area and dispatched his senior general, Ma Yuan in 41 CE.

The sisters managed to defend their border for some time, but their enemy’s military and financial superiority caused their first defeat in 42 CE. Legend tells that pregnant noble lady Phung Thi Chinh commanded a group of soldiers that protected the central flank. It is said that she gave birth during the battle and kept fighting with her baby in one arm and her sword in the other. Le Chan led her troops against the Chinese, inflicting heavy damages, but also had to retreat.

The sisters fought their last battle in 43 CE and were defeated. Le Chan and Phung Thi Chinh, who took her newborn child with her, were said to have committed suicide by drowning. Chinese sources state that Ma Yuan had the sisters beheaded or that they died in battle. Vietnamese tradition have them drowning themselves in the river to avoid capture.

The Trưng sisters are nowadays celebrated as national heroines. Their exploits are commemorated each year. Temples were built in their honor and streets were named after them.

Bibliography:

Gilbert Marc Jason, “When Heroism is Not Enough: Three Women Warriors of Vietnam, Their Historians and World History”

Taylor Keith, The birth of Vietnam

Toler Pamela D., Women warriors, an unexpected history

Van Thanh Nguyen-Marshall, “Trung Trac and Trung Nhi”, in: Higham Robin, Pennington Reina (ed.), Amazons to fighter pilots, biographical dictionary of military women, vol.2

“Who was the warrior woman, Le Chan?”

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simone-whitlow · 4 years

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Women's History month 4: Hell hath no fury, like the Trung Sisters.

Women’s History month 4: Hell hath no fury, like the Trung Sisters.

“Heav’n has no rage, like love to hatred turn’d, Nor hell a fury, like a woman scorn’d”

William Congreve. The Mounring Bride. 1697.

Hi folks welcome to this week’s Tales of History and Imagination. I am taking a bit of liberty with the opening quote a little this week – which if you are wondering is the actual quote we generally get “Hell hath no fury…” from. Congreve, if we have any…

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#2nd Century BCE #Chinese History #Dai Viet #General Lac #General Ma Yuan #Han Dynasty #Han Wudi #Lu Bode #Nanyue Kingdom #Trung Nhi #Trung Sisters #Trung Trac #Vietnamese History

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historicwomendaily · 6 years

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Sister Series : The T R U N G Sisters

The Trung Sisters, byname of Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, were heroines of yore who lead the first Vietnamese independence movement, headed a rebellion against their Chinese Han-dynasty overlords, and briefly established an independent, autonomous (and also matriarchal) state. Their determination and apparently strong leadership qualities are cited by scholars of Southeast Asian culture as testimony to the respected position and freedom of women in Vietnamese society, as compared with the male-dominated societies of China and India.

Both girls were born and raised in a rural Vietnamese village, into a military family. Supposedly, their father was a prefect of Mê Linh - therefore the sisters grew up in a house well-versed in martial arts. They also witnessed the cruel treatment of the Viets by their Chinese overlords. The Trưng sisters spent much time studying the art of warfare, as well as learning fighting skills. When a neighbouring prefect came to visit Mê Linh, he brought with him his son, Thi Sách. Thi Sách met and fell in love with Trưng Trắc during the visit, and they were soon married.

However, with Chinese rule growing extremely exacting, coupled with the policy of forcible cultural assimilation into the Chinese mould during the Southward expansion of the Han dynasty, made Thi Sách make a stand against the Chinese. The Chinese responded by executing Thi Sách as a warning to all those who contemplated rebellion. His death spurred his wife to take up his cause and the flames of insurrection spread.

In AD 39 she, with her sister Trung Nhi and other members of the aristocracy, marched on Lien Lau, forcing the Chinese commander to flee. Within a year the sisters and their allies held 65 northern citadels. At Me Linh, in the lower Red River delta, the Trung Sisters jointly proclaimed themselves queens of an independent state (of unknown name) extending from southern China to the present site of Hue. The coalition they used was reportedly made predominantly with women.

Trung Trac and Trung Nhi ran their matriarchy for three years, keeping the very persistent Hans at bay, but in 43 CE they chose to commit suicide rather than admit to defeat by Chinese troops when they sieged the city.

#historyedit #perioddramaedit #ancient #ancient asia #chinese history #vietnamese history #the trung sisters #women's history #gif #our edits #by gabrielle #sisters series #weloveperioddrama

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methenemophilist · 6 years

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On the first day of the new year 2018, I spent the whole day with my beloved family members, visiting some historical places that first came to me throught books and letting myself emerging in stories about famous firgues that shook the country millions years ago…

We started the journey by spending the entire morning in Hat Mon temple ( Hai Ba Trung temple ), Phuc Tho district, Hanoi.

According to historical accounts, in 40 AD, Trung Trac and her younger sister Trung Nhi formed an army to revolt against the Han Chinese troops that were invading the north and gain independence for the country after more than two centuries of foreign feudal domination.

The Hat Mon temple was built after the Trung sisters’ death to commemorate their devotion to the nation.

Source: Internet

Ảnh

Điện

Thần

Bóng

Cô

Phản

Vân

Ngang

Về

Tựa

After that ( maybe 2 and a haft hours ), Dad and my uncle took us to a restaurant for lunch which I found rather delightful because of the view and the quality of food overall. The food may not be ecstatically delicious, but I remembered us having a square meal, eating somewhat fresh and clean.

Our table with a pleasant view to the corn field.

Our third destination is another Pagoda called Mia. I honestly didn’t hold much impression of this “respectably ancient pagoda”. What truly left in me, was knowing myself perceiving Spring that had come – in each and every leaf and flower, wind and gleam, green and blue.

Chùa Mía

Hải Đường

Đại lên lộc

Lastly, our parents decided to take us all to a Pomelo garden in which they allowed guests to come in and pick pomelos themselves. There are many gardens nowaday have this kind of service but mom and dad have always come back here every spring to pick our pomelos so the owner of the garden is regarded as an old friend of our family. Anyway, this is my first time I came here, so despite the fact that I really had nothing to do, it could be mentioned as an interesting experience.

Vườn bưởi

Mẹ gà

Hoa Không tên

Leaving the Pomelo garden, the outside was dark and everyone had already been exhausted. However, before our trip ended, we headed to a Pho restaurant for our dinner. And that’s how the-first-day-of-the-year trip ended. Nothing much to tell, but it was the first day of the year, and though I was knee-deep in schoolwork, it would be such a blame on myself for not writing something.

P/s: You might see that all the pictures have been named in Vietnamese, and it was because I thought it would be fun ((:

Happy new year, dudies

New year chills and drills-A family trip to Historical places. On the first day of the new year 2018, I spent the whole day with my beloved family members, visiting some historical places that first came to me throught books and letting myself emerging in stories about famous firgues that shook the country millions years ago...

#familytrip #famousplaces #fun #historicalplaces #lessons #newyear2018 #Photographs

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diaryofanangryasianguy · 7 years

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These are just 11 of the Asian and Pacific Islander women you should have learned about in history class

03/22/17

1. Yuri Kochiyama

Kochiyama was a civil rights activist who fought for the anti-war movement, black power, and atonement for Japanese internment.

2. Queen Liliuokalani

Adding historical context to the phrase “Yas Kween,” Queen Liliuokalani was the first female monarch of Hawaii and last sovereign of the Kamehameha dynasty (which ruled Hawaii since 1810) after its U.S. annex in 1898.

3. Sarojini Naidu

A child prodigy and poet, Naidu was the first female president of the India National Congress AND first female governor of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

4. Grace Lee Boggs

Considered the eldest human rights activist of our time, Boggs was a philosopher who fought for women’s rights, environmental justice, black power (alongside Angela Davis and Malcolm X), and labor rights.

5. Corazon Aquino

Having served as the first female president of the Philippines, Aquino’s leadership stemmed from opposition to then-dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

6. Anna May Wong

Considered the first Chinese-American film star, Wong gained international recognition through dozens of movies in Hollywood and Europe.

7. Trung Sisters

The Trung sisters, Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, were freedom fighters who led a rebellion against the Chinese Han-dynasty with a group consisting mostly of women fighters in 40 A.D., briefly establishing a sovereign state.

9. Maya Lin

Lin is a designer and architect who, at the age of 21, designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. NBD.

10. Phoolan Devi

Devi’s story bears remarkable similarities to a blockbuster film: Nicknamed “Bandit Queen,” she took up a life of burglary and ultimately became a gang leader after enduring sexual abuse from a young age.

11. Junko Tabei

A mountaineer, Tabei was the first woman to reach the top of Mount Everest in 1975 and, subsequently, was the first woman to climb the Seven Summits (the highest peaks of the seven continents!) in 1992.

#aapi #asian #asian american #history #inspiration

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10theredqueen01 · 5 years

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Dance with the Devil

Chapter One: I Hear Someone's Thoughts

Present day - 23/05/2017

"Death is death. Two need to die tonight." A quiet voice whispered in my ear. I shot up with a start and fell sideways, onto the floor. I heard laughing from all sides and I looked around to see that I was in class and everyone had just seen me fall from my chair and onto the floor. I grinned sheepishly at everyone.

"Is my class so boring Miss Black, that you feel the need to fall asleep?" I heard my teacher Mr. Valez ask me.

"Ummmm...no sir?" I asked, unsure of my own answer. He looked down his nose at me.

"Then why did you fall asleep during my class?"

"Well sir, I was up all of last night, finishing the assignment you gave us." I answered quietly.

He looked stunned for a moment and the rest of class sent giggles around the room, calling me a nerd and a no-life. They weren't wrong.

"Well Miss Black, did you get it done?" Mr Valez asked sounded sceptical.

"Ummmm...well yeah. I was going to give it to you after class but I could give it to you now if you'd like?" I suggested, feeling a little awkward on the floor at the feet of my teacher.

"Yes, Miss Black, I would like to see what you believe is a well completed assignment after only two class lessons." He sounded as though it would be fun to give me a detention.

I stood up and opened my bag, looking for the folder that contained my ancient history assignment. Upon finding it, I grabbed it and ripped it out of my bag. After setting it down on the desk, I opened the folder and flicked through the pages. I took each of the pages for my assignment-essay and handed them to Mr Valez.

Everyone in the class was silent as Mr Valez leafed through the assignment. He looked at me with distaste.

"Who did you choose for your historical figure, Miss Black, why did you choose them and what did you learn from them?

"Well-" I began but was suddenly cut off by Mr Valez.

"Why don't you present it to the class, Miss Black?" I was annoyed. First, is it such a terrible thing to fall asleep in a class with which I already knew all the content? Second, I am questioned as to why I had fallen asleep, and thirdly, I'm told to present on front of everyone in the class!? No. I was not just going to present it to the class, I was going to make it a show.

I looked up to see Mr Valez, looking down at me. I grinned a little. I slammed my assignment onto the desk in front of me and Mr Valez looked taken aback.

"Women in History! What do you think of them? Useless? Servants? Cowards? What part of history are you reading about? Cause it sure as hell isn't as interesting as the one I'm reading from. Women throughout history are described as being exactly what I called them. But do you know why this is the case? You don't?" I began, faking apprehension to the last question. Then I hardened my voice. "Well I do. Throughout history, women have been motivated to do spectacular and absolutely riveting deeds, from fighting off the Chinese or defending their town and home while the men were away doing the same elsewhere. I have read of women that despite all odds, have conquered lands and created working economies and basically creating a town on the water. The reason why women aren't acknowledged throughout history, is that men wrote the books. Ridiculous, right? Well luckily, there were a few women that couldn't escape the public eye and that those few were acknowledge as legends, warriors and many times over, saviours.

Ever heard of Ching Shih? Probably not. Want to know a little? You don't? Well too bad! Ching Shih, an amazing Chinese warrior and pirate lord who started off as a prostitute. After marrying her husband, ¬¬¬¬Zheng Yi, she then became a pirate, believing it was a better fate than being a prostitute. Sadly, her husband died pretty soon after and not wanting to return to her life as a prostitute, took control of her deceased husbands' fleet and created her own place. She lorded over these fleets which grew and grew! She made a name for herself and when she finally wanted to settle down, she disappeared into the country. Her fleets, continued to rule over the seas.

You think she's the only female pirate? THINK AGAIN!"

By now I had everyone's attention, including Mr. Valez, who was fuming. I had turned his normal lesson which would have been about the males through history into a lesson of the accomplished females who rarely got acknowledgement and he wasn't impressed. Everyone in the class was staring at me in wonderment as I continued. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see people gathering at the windows of the class, intrigued with what I was saying. Mr Valez saw this as well and he began to glare at me even more. I smiled. I knew I had dug this deep and I thought, 'In for a penny, IN FOR A POUND!'

"Throughout history, there have been many women rulers and pirate lords and war lords, who later became renowned. Penthesilea was a Queen of the Amazons, Nefertiti was a queen of the Nile, Artemisia was the woman ruler of Halicanassas. Cartimandua ruled the Brigantes, Lei-Tzu ruled China, Meryt-Neith ruled Egypt and Tzu-hsi was an Empress of China and Zenobia was a warrior queen of Palimyra, Syria.

The Trung sisters, Tru'ng Trac and Tru'ng Nhi, were Vietnamese war lords who fended off the Chinese for years before one day they were outnumbered. Before they were captured by the enemy though, they committed suicide, knowing that death was better than giving themselves to the enemy.

The Lady of Cao was a tattooed sorceress queen who was unearthed not many years ago, along with many others.

Grace O'Malley was a 16th century Pirate Queen of Ireland, who after her husband was killed by England took to the sea and ruled with an iron fist. She made people pay tolls for being in her waters and her fleet continued to grow and grow until eventually! The English couldn't ignore her any longer. They sent a fleet of ships after her. Scary, right? Well not for Grace. Grace destroyed the fleet and sent them back with only one or two. Her first title was Grainne Mhaol, from maol meaning bald or having cropped hair. She gained this title by cutting off most of her hair when her father tried to use her hair getting caught on the ship as an excuse to not take her on his expeditions. She gained the title 'The Dark Lady of Doona' when she took a tower simply for the reason that they killed her husband. She married a man for no other purpose than to gain land and locked him out of his own castle while crying out from the window 'Richard Burke, I Dismiss You!!!!', which during those times was the equivalent of a divorce. When she finally settled down, she made a deal with the English Queen herself. The deal was that she would stop being a pirate and would stop charging people for using the waters she owned if she was allowed to quietly disband her fleet, if her pirates were allowed to keep the loot they made and if she was allowed to quietly disappear.

Out of everyone throughout history, it has been women who have had the best adventures. Between revenge and freedom, it was women who changed the tides of battles. Mulan who dressed as a boy to save her father, and no! I do not mean the Disney movie. I'm talking about the real Mulan who started as being adept in her martial arts. Xun Guan charged into battle to alert her fathers' allies of what was happening in her province. She Was 13!.. So the next time you call someone a girl because they can't do something, or you say a girl can't do something, remember that there have been many 'girls' throughout history that could kick your ass and still have more left over for your best friend."

Everyone in the room and corridors was quiet for a peaceful moment as they all stood or sat there in wonderment. The eyes of the girls were flashing with pride and the boys had eyes filled with wonder.

All of a sudden, Mr Valez shot out of his chair, the only one with hate in his eyes and stormed to the front of the class and proceeded to lecture me.

"What do you think you're doing Miss Black? Not only have you disrupted my class but also the classes around us! Even Miss Jason's class from the other end of the hall has come to watch you make a fool of yourself!" I began to tune out. His lips were annoying me. How could someone be so annoying when I can't even hear what they're saying? I looked around the class, watching everyone in fascination. Their eyes were focused on Mr. Valez and myself. The boys had regained their bored look, a wonder leaving their eyes and the girls began to look down, the pride that made them sit up a little taller and look fierce was gone.

The students from other classrooms had begun to walk back to their classes with a few stragglers walking as slow as they could, avoiding going back to their classrooms where all they would be was bored to death. As I observed the students in my class again, I noticed one boy who was still watching me. His eyes hadn't begun to lose their fire yet. He looked at me questioningly and that was when I heard the string of thought that hung in the air.

'What are you going to do now? Your speech has ended and so has your spell...'

I looked back around and I knew that the thought was right. I listened closer to catch its last remaining tendrils.

'...You spoke of women who were fierce and frightening but will you follow in their footsteps?'

With its question still in my mind, I didn't even think. I looked straight at Mr. Valez. His face was as red as blood and if he was a cartoon, there would have been steam coming out of his ears. I began to listen into what he was saying again, trying to catch the remnants of his lecture

"Do you think this is a joke!? Are you even listening to me right now Miss Black?" He stared at me expectantly, waiting for me to answer him. I waited a moment before answering him, purposefully annoying him.

"No, I wasn't." I stated matter-of-factly. Peoples' eyes looked up and straight at me, surprise evident in their faces, while I noticed the boy at the back of the class looking at me curiosity. It was his thought that I had heard and he knew that I was standing up to Mr Valez because I had seen something when I looked at him. "I really wasn't listening to you Mr. Valez. Quite frankly your lecture was boring and I couldn't help but zone out. Not only that but you are a sexist pig who only teaches of the males in our history and not the women who were to be feared, and don't even think I haven't caught you staring at the girls in your class inappropriately. Staring at their breasts and ass as if they're a piece of meat for you to objectify."

If Mr Valez was annoyed before, he was absolutely furious now, to the point where smoke coming out of his ears would have been completely reasonable and as he opened his mouth, I knew that I would be late to my bus this afternoon.

"DETENTION!"

And there went my relaxing afternoon at home.

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