Amazons

Rooted in Greek mythology as a race of women warriors, Amazons have come to signify women who were able to exist without men, to resist men in battle and even to defeat them. Tall, strong and athletic, they were named from the Greek a-mazos, 'without a breast' - a reference to the practice of cutting off their right breast so as not to hinder their use of the bow. In legend they were led by their queen, Penthesilea, to help the Trojans defend their city. Penthesilea was killed in combat with Achilles, the greatest of the Greek warriors. The Amazon is seen as the exact opposite of what a proper woman is expected to be; her culture is unnatural and contrary, a reversal of the established order. Recent excavations in the Russian steppes indicate that there may be substance to the myth: relics found in ancient graves indicate that the women buried there were revered as mounted warriors.

Boudicca

Queen Boudica (or Boadicea) of the Iceni, a celtic tribe living in Norfolk and Suffolk, fought against the Roman rulers of Britain in AD 60-61. Boudica's husband King Prasutagus had become a powerful ally of the Romans following their invasion of Britain in AD 43. However, after his death in AD 60, the Roman administration seized Iceni lands and property. Boudica and her daughters were physically abused. In response, the Queen led a revolt of the Iceni and other tribes, burning and sacking Colchester, St Albans and London. To Dio Cassius, the Roman historian, 'she was huge of frame, [and] terrifying of aspect'. Her campaign was suppressed after several months by Suetonius Paullinus, the Roman military governor. Boudica and her daughters poisoned themselves, rather than be taken prisoner. Although her forces committed atrocities and killed many thousands, Boudica became revered as a symbol of British freedom.