Warriors

Gladiatrices were fierce athletes who drew crowds of thousands.

An Aboriginal woman from northwest Tasmania, Tarenorerer became one of the war's most feared soldiers.

From Italy’s fortress-seizing countess to Angola’s battle-hardened Queen Njinga, these women didn’t back down from a fight.

The only documented all-female army in history inspired the Dora Milaje.

From wielding lethal bows to commanding troops, the female soldiers of the Central Asian steppe were formidable foes.

From fighting in the army to managing the kingdom, women were key players in every aspect of the Mongol Empire.

This ceremonial headwear was a cultural touchstone before it became a colonial curiosity.

From California’s mythic warrior queen to the swole women of Sparta to female hunters in ancient Peru.

A symbol both of chaos and order, the wolf came to represent many things for the Vikings.

Nancy Marie Brown’s new book, "The Real Valkyrie," explores what we have learned about a woman buried in a spectacular grave in Sweden.

Being fit and chivalric is as much a mental state as a physical one.

The fearsome fighters of Greek mythology have a very real, very fit regimen to share.

Japan’s feudal fighters were plenty tough. But they didn’t ditch their day jobs.