Warriors, Queens, and Intellectuals: 36 Great Women Before 1400

By: Joyce E. Salisbury, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Joyce E. Salisbury

Throughout history, women have played integral roles in family, society, religion, government, war - in short, in all aspects of human civilization. Powerful women have shaped laws, led rebellions, and played key roles in dynastic struggles. Some were caught up in forces beyond their control, while others manipulated and murdered their way to the top. However, unearthing their stories from the historical record has been a challenge, with the ordinary difficulties of preserving information across the generations increased by centuries of historical bias and gendered expectations. Women, when they were mentioned at all, often filled the role of virtuous maiden, self-effacing mother, or seductive villain. Imagine what you are missing when only half the story is being told.

In Warriors, Queens, and Intellectuals: 36 Great Women Before 1400, taught by Professor Emerita of Humanistic Studies Joyce E. Salisbury, you will experience another side of history, one that has often been overlooked. In these 36 lectures, women step out from the footnotes and sidebars of traditional history and into the spotlight, illuminating the dark corners of the pre-modern world along the way. From thwarted daughters and ambitious wives to fearless revolutionaries and brilliant philosophers, you will see how women have played diverse roles throughout history and why their influence is so vital to a fuller understanding of the world we live in today. Beginning at the start of the Roman Empire and carrying you through to the end of the Middle Ages, Professor Salisbury will introduce you to dozens of influential women from all across the globe.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 The Great Courses (P)2019 The Teaching Company, LLC

Mixed thoughts about the lectures

I learned some different points of view about the beginnings of several religions and how many of the negative aspects go back to the origins of the religions and skip the importance of faith. It verified the subservient role that women have held in most societies through time with the exception of a few societies with matriarcal leanings that often didn’t keep those beliefs long. Overall not a bad listen for the long drive two and from work.

Fascinating and gripping!

A comprehensive and well structured introduction to history of women. This volume offers bite sized biographies over powerful women from Roman to late medieval times. It's a good introduction to anyone taking their early steps into women's history.

Interesting Perspective of History

Although I'm generally not interested in history, I enjoyed this audiobook. It's history from a different perspective (36 great women before 1400), so it wasn't the usual war and conquest history I remembered from high school. It's also convenient that each chapter is a bite-size amount of information.

“Anonymous was a Woman” - no longer

For generations, history books show cultures created and molded almost exclusively by men. Here, the professor elucidates the lives of pre-Renaissance women who changed the world. Certainly there are more women who were influential, and perhaps the professor will write a sequel.

Totally engrossing

I learned so much in this fascinating book of lectures about women, many of whom I knew nothing about. Joyce brought them to life!