Artemisia I of Caria
Artemisia I ruled Halicarnassus within the Achaemenid Persian Empire and commanded five ships during Xerxes I’s invasion of Greece. Remembered through Herodotus’ account, she became known for her strategic advice before the Battle of Salamis and remains one of the best-documented female naval commanders of the ancient world.
Queen Nzinga
Queen Nzinga Mbande was one of Africa's greatest rulers, leading the kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba through diplomacy, warfare and political strategy during the seventeenth century while resisting Portuguese expansion.

