Persian Warrior Queens, Princesses, Commanders and Stateswomen
Famous Historical Persian Women
Part 2
Ahreeman X
1st Edition: December 23, 2006
2nd Edition: October 31, 2014

Artemisia Persian Warrior Queen’s Spirit protects the Persian Princess Azarmidokht Sassanid
In this painting Great Spirit of the legendary Warrior Woman Artemisia (left), the Achaemenian Grand Admiral (few centuries earlier) watches over Azarmidokht Sassanid (right), the Persian Empress (ruling monarch) during the hard times (end of Sassanid era domestic chaos and foreign wars). Artemisia is self assured guardian angel of the sleepless and worried but calm (due to Artemisia’s presence) Azarmidokht. Princess Azarmidokht holds a few sunflowers in hand as the sign of hope. There is still hope to save Mother Persia.

Arsacid Dynasty

1. Artadokht (Truthful girl) [1 AD]
Artabanus IV (80 AD – 81 AD) {Parthian Empire Era}
Artabanus IV (81 AD - 90 AD) {His 2nd Reign after Empire Era during Multi Parthian Kingdoms}
Secretary of Treasury during Ardavan the Fourth of Ashkanids (Arsacid) Dynasty

Artadokht Parthian Wonder Woman, Treasury Secretary of Ardavan IV Arsacid of Iran
Notice the Parthian traditional outfit of the noblewomen.

2. Sura (Flower Face) [3 AD]
Artabanus V (213 AD - 224 AD)
One of the Greatest Heroines of Persian History, A strategical and Military Genius. Ashkanid's General, Sepahbod (Lieutenant General) of the Ashkanid Empire, daughter of Ardavan the Fifth, father's right hand. Sura was a brave Persian patriot. Ardavan V (Artabanus V) was the last of Arsacids concurrent with Ardashir I (224 - 241) Sassanid. Ardeshir eventually eliminated Ardavan’s rule.

Sura Parthian Arsacid Warrior Princess and Sepahbod General of Iran
Classical Interpretation of Sura

Sura Persian Warrior Princess, Parthian Sepahbod General in a traditional Formal Garb
Modern Interpretation of Sura

Sura Persian Warrior Princess, Parthian Sepahbod (Lieutenant General) in her Desert Combat Garb before a dune campaign

*

Sassanid Dynasty

1. Azadokht (Free Girl) [3 AD]
Shapour I the Great (241 - 272)
Queen of Iran and wise wife of Shapour the Great

Azadokht Persian Sassanian Empress, Shahbanu of Iran and Wife of Shapour the Great Sassanid Emperor

Azadokht Persian Sassanian Empress, Shahbanu of Iran with Shapour the Great at the background. Shapour brought the Roman Emperor Valerianus and Rome to their knees.

Sassanian Persian Warrior Woman Sardar (Commander General) and Adjutant Savar (Cavalryman) during the surrender of the Roman Emperor Valerianus to Shapour the Great Shahanshah of the Sassanid Persian Empire

2. Golandam (flower body) [5 AD]
Bahram V [Bahram Gur or Bahram the Zebra] (420 - 438)
Shahbanu of Iran, wife of Bahram Gur Sassanid.

3. Parin (same as an angel) [5 AD – 6 AD]
Qobad I (488 - 496)
Qobad I {Restored his kingdom} (499 - 531)
Sassanid Princess, daughter of Qobad, Counselor of the Sassanid Courthouse, extremely intelligent politician. She was a superb stateswoman.

Parin Persian Princess, Politician and Counselor of the Sassanid Courthouse
Parin was a great stateswoman.

4. Zand (precious) [6 AD]
Khosrow I [Khosrow Anushirvan the Just] (531 - 579)
Wife of Khosrow Anushirvan Sassanid, niece of Bahram Chubin the Sassanid General.

Zand Persian Sassanian Empress, Shahbanu of Iran and Wife of Khosrow Anushirvan

5. Shirin (sense of sweetness) [6 AD – 7 AD]
Khosrow II [Khosrow Parviz or Khosrow the Victorious] (590)
Khosrow II [Khosrow Parviz or Khosrow the Victorious] {Restored his kingdom} (591 - 628)
Shahbanu of Iran, wife of Khosrow Parviz Sassanid.

Shirin Persian Sassanian Empress, Shahbanu of Iran and Wife of Khosrow Parviz

Sassanian Persian Shahbanu Shirin with Shahanshah Khosrow Parviz 7 AD
Story of Khosrow and Shirin was a legendary love affair
Story of Khosrow and Shirin is a famous poem primarily told by Abolqasem Ferdowsi the great Persian poet in Shahnameh (Epical Book of Persian Kings) and secondarily told by Nezami Ganjavi the master Persian poet in his Divan (Book of Poetry). Story of Khosrow and Shirin is an epical romantic tale between a Zoroastrian Shahanshah Khosrow and an Armenian Christian Lady Shirin who eventually becomes the Shahbanu of Iran. There are various versions of this poem and story.

6. Purandokht (Sexy and beautiful girl) [630 – 631]
Khosrow II [Khosrow Parviz or Khosrow the Victorious] (590)
Khosrow II [Khosrow Parviz or Khosrow the Victorious] {Restored his kingdom} (591 - 628)
Empress of Iran (ruling monarch), older sister of Azarmidokht, older daughter of Khosrow Parviz, ruled Iran.

For more information read:

Pictorial History of Iranian Military Uniforms: Chapter 12. Sassanian 2

Purandokht Persian Sassanian Empress (ruling monarch), Shahbanu of Iran and the oldest daughter of Khosrow Parviz

Back from a Sassanian Expedition
Left to Right:
Sassanian Mobad-e Mobadan (high priest) holding the Derafsh Kaviani banner with General Shahrboraz riding in the middle while Princess Purandokht Sassanid leading the way at 7 AD

7. Azarmidokht (Youthful girl) [631 – 632]
Khosrow II [Khosrow Parviz or Khosrow the Victorious] (590)
Khosrow II [Khosrow Parviz or Khosrow the Victorious] {Restored his kingdom} (591 - 628)
Empress of Iran (ruling monarch), daughter of Khosrow Parviz, ruled Iran after her sister Purandokht, Sassanid Dynasty.

Azarmidokht Sassanid Persian Queen

Azarmidokht Persian Sassanian Empress (ruling monarch) was daughter of Khosrow Parviz

8. Turandokht (Turanian girl) [7 AD]
Khosrow II [Khosrow Parviz or Khosrow the Victorious] (590)
Khosrow II [Khosrow Parviz or Khosrow the Victorious] {Restored his kingdom} (591 - 628)
Sassanid Princess, daughter of Khosrow Parviz, sister of Azarmidokht and Purandokht.

Turandokht Persian Sassanian Princess, daughter of Khosrow Parviz and sister of the ruling monarchs Purandokht and Azarmidokht

Turandokht Persian Sassanian Princess

9. Apranik (daughter of elder) [7 AD]
Yazdgird III (632 - 651)
Sassanid's Great Military Commander, daughter of Piran, the great General of Yazdgird the Third. She fought gracefully, as a resistance commander, fighting against Arabo-Islamic Invaders-oppressors during the Arab Invasion, killed many of the Tazis and done many damages to the Savage Arab Barbarian Army.

Apranik Persian Sassanian Warrior Woman Army Commander (center),stands between her legendary battle horse (left) and her Adjutantess Officer (right).

The Female Symbol of Persian Resistance.
Apranik, was a Sassanid High Ranking Commander of Army. Like her father, she decided to become a professional soldier. Piran was a famous Persian General, and when Arabs invaded our land Piran was like a solid rock standing on their way. Apranik was more like a Tomboy! Since childhood, she loved military. She was Father's Right hand, and the amazing Nationalistic Feelings that she developed during her teenage years, forced her to become a military person. Apranik, joined the mighty Persian Army. Due to her worthiness, and not her father's influence, she climbed the steps of progress, one by one and after her complete education, she managed to rise from a petty officer, to a full commander of the Persian Army.

When Arabs invaded Iran, Apranik took the command of a major battalion of his father's Army. Her tactics were hit and run battles with the Arab Bandits. As she got wiser, she found out that "Organized Warfare" with the Desert Rats who invade and hide, and then reinforce and invade again, does not work; therefore, she started a campaign of a treacherous battle against the Arabo-Muslim Invader-Occupiers. For years to come, Apranik, first fought an official war with the invaders, and later on when all hopes were destroyed, Apranik, started her Hit and Run Rebellious Campaign against the Desert Beasts. Apranik's Commando Warfare was legendary. Apranik’s campaigns put the fear of Persian Rebels in to the heart and bones of the Tazi Lizards who occupied Iran.

Gentler side of Commander Apranik
Apranik Persian Sassanian Warrior Woman Army Commander

Apranik and her Ranks, never surrendered, they have fought an ongoing battle to the bitter ends. Apranik became a symbol for the "Persian Resistance". Her braveries were so known, that she became the talk of the "Persian Resistance" and Persians created an expression for her! Every time a female soldier would have shown bravery among the resistance, other soldiers would smile and call her:

"Who do you think, you are? Commander Apranik?"

Apranik practically became a symbol of resistance, and one of the worthiest commanders of the Persian Army, who did not even surrender her forces after the occupation. She kept on launching a Partisan Hit and Run Rebellious Battle against the Arabs, way after the Sassanid Main Army Collapsed. Separated Circles of Sassanid Immortals (Elite Persian Guards), Cavalry, Army and Navy kept on fighting the Arabo-Muslim for years after the occupation. Apranik's band of Resistance fighters, fought hard, even after the loss of Persian Empire and Sassanid Dynasty. Arteshbod General Rostam Farrokhzad, Yazdgird III, and her loving father General Piran were all expired but Apranik would simply not surrender or die out! Apranik acted as a battery charger for resistances spirit. Apranik's famous words and policy were:

"No retreat, no surrender"
(Commander Apranik)

Apranik was a spark who fired up the Iranian resistance to the Arab occupation.

Apranik Sassanid Persian Warrior Woman Army Commander in Battle

Apranik chose to fight with her soldiers, until the bitter end, she chose to be cut to pieces by the Arab Sword, than to become a whore in the Arab Bed ........ and eventually Apranik became a legend. The Legend of Apranik is still living in every female freedom fighter of Iran's heart. May her great spirit rest in peace.

Apranik Persian Sassanian Warrior Woman Commander before a Desert Battle during the Arab Campaigns. Same as Artemisia, Apranik often fought with two swords.

Apranik Daughter of Piran or as they used to call her Apranik of Piran's name will always be in the "Persian Resistance Hall of Fame". This is what the Persian women were made of!

Sassanian Persian Warrior Woman Paygospan Banu Commander at the Perso-Turkic Wars

*

Arabo-Islamic Occupation Era

1. Negan (good destiny) [7 AD]
A freedom Fighter Leader, A Guerrilla Commander during Sassanids and after the occupation, one of the major resistance fighters of Iran against the Arab Invasion.

Negan Persian Sassanian Warrior Woman Guerrilla Commander

Negan was not a military woman, nor a woman of nobility, yet she had a heart full of love of Iran. Her heart was pounding for the Mother Land. She had decided to pick up the sword and lead a band of resistance fighters against the Arabo-Muslim Animals who invaded The Civilized World and Mother Persia.

2. Azad (Free) [8 AD]
Deylami Guerrilla Commander, a partisan leader from north Iran, who fought for many years with her band of freedom fighters against the Arab Oppressors, during the Occupation era.

Azad Persian Warrior Woman Daylamite Guerrilla Commander of Gilan
Freedom Fighter Azad as a successor, the same as her predecessors Artemisia and Apranik, often fought with two swords. Azad was a superb archer and dagger thrower. Azad was a fine example of a strong Gilak Woman from Gilan.

The central area of activity for Azad was State of Daylam (today's Gilan). Azad a Daylami (Gilani) Guerrilla Commander, a partisan leader from Caspian Sea shores in north Iran, who fought for various years with her freedom fighters against the Arabs. Azad was from Daylam (Today's State of Gilan). Daylam had a history of rebellion. Until this day, State of Gilan has been the mother and the home for many of the Revolutionaries and freedom fighters of Iran. Azad-e Daylami (Azad of Daylam) was one of the very first brave daughters of this region. She became one of the most famous freedom fighters of the region and a symbol of Persian Resistance against the Forced Religion and Government of Islam.

3. Banu (Lady) [9 AD]
Babak Khoramdin (798 – 838)
Wife of Babak Khoramdin (Persian Legendary Freedom Fighter), she fought side by side to her husband Babak. After the occupation of Iran by the Arab Hounds, Banu and Babak worked as revolutionary resistance fighters leading the Red Shirts Sect and the Persian Resistance Militia. She fought to the end.

Banu Khoramdin Persian Warrior Woman and Freedom Fighter of the Red Shirts Sect
Modern interpretation of Banu

The famous female commando and revolutionary Banu, was a lioness. The central area of activity for Banu was State of Atropatgan or Azar-Abadegan (Today's Azerbaijan). Wife of Babak Khoramdin (Persian Legendary Freedom Fighter), she fought side by side to her husband Babak, during the occupation of Iran by Arab Hounds. She fought to the end. Now this woman was amazing! She was the better half of Babak Khoramdin. Banu was a temperamental Azeri Woman, with determination of steel from Azerbaijan or as it used to be called State of "Atropatgan". This amazing woman was a skilled archer; she grew up with her bow and arrows! She was Babak's partner in life and death, in war and peace. Banu was a symbol of Pure Persian Pride, Azeri Style! Banu and Babak fought the Arab Occupation for years, they lived and they died as Proud Persians.

Banu Khoramdin Persian Warrior Woman and Freedom Fighter of the Red Shirts Sect up close
Contemporary interpretation of Banu

Persian Warrior Woman Archer and Guerrilla Fighter of the Red Shirts Revolutionary Sect
Mountain Partisans of the Red Shirts were a fearsome bunch for the Arab occupying enemies

4. Buran (Pretty) [9 AD]
Al Ma'mun (813 - 817)
Al Ma'mun {Restored his Caliphate} (819 - 833)
The Persian Prime Minister of the Islamic Empire during Caliph Ma'mun of Abbassids Caliphate. Buran was the wise Wazir during the occupation of Iran by Arab oppressors. She was daughter of Hassan Sahl; she has done many goods for the Persians and Persian status under the occupation of Caliphate.

Buran's time was later on during the occupation years. When Arabo-Muslim ruled every aspect of life in Persia, and when fighting by the sword and arch was not possible, Buran the wise daughter of Hassan Sahl launched a different type of a battle! She grew up to become a politician. Furthermore, she became the first female Wazir (Prime Minister); morely, the first Non Arab Wazir of the complete Islamic Empire! Just imagine the sound of that! A female Persian Wazir in the Arabo-Muslim court of Ma'mun, The Caliph of Abbasid! A Persian woman with that kind of power, could do many goods for Iran, and indeed she did. She actually fought the Arab Hierarchy from within. She was in the inside, way inside; therefore, she started her famous "Changes from the Within" reforms. Buran, Daughter of Sahl, fought the political war and forced many reforms for the benefit of the Persians' Lives to the Abbasid's Government. During her years in office, she fought for the rights of Minorities (Non Arabs) in the Islamic Empire. A very interesting woman indeed.

Buran made life much easier for Persians and other Non-Arabs under the reign of the Islamic Empire.
Non Arabs like Persians were second class citizens, blacks were practically slaves and women had no rights under the Arabo-Islamic Empire. Imagine Buran a Persian woman as the Wazir of this empire! Buran was a reformist within the Arab Regime.

For more information read:

222 Years of Struggle for Independence of Iran (651 AD - 873 AD) – Part 2

Epilogue

Persian, name your children Persian.
Persian, live Persian, love Persian and Die a Proud Persian

This brings us to the end of our research, may this document shed some light to the truth seekers and the bright minds of Iran.

Imperial Iranian Female Police Officers of the Pahlavi Era 1970s

Iranian women, think for a second,
Think about who you were then!
Think about who you are now?
You shall rise,
Once again, such as The Phoenix (Qoqnos), you shall rise from the ashes of defeat, oppression, Islamic slavery and suffocation. Once more, you shall break the chains of Islam from your hands and feet. Once again, you shall dump the Arabo-Islamic book of slavery (Quran) in Dumpster of history! Once again you shall gain your status next to the proud Persian men. Iranian women, my words are with you, never surrender, never accept leash of Islamic slavery, never accept your status as one of the many temporary (Siqeh) wives or one of the four permanent (Aqdi) wives of a Muslim chauvinist Male Pig! You are not Siqeh, Aqdi or Concubines, but you are proud Persian women.

Quran and Islam maybe a miracle for the inferior, illiterate and ignorant Desert Sand Lizards (Arabs), but it is a shameful disgrace for the Superior Good Aryan, noble folks of Iran to Arab Worship this book of garbage and religion of garbage!

Imperial Iranian Air Force Airwoman with Dagger 1970s
Imperial Female Air Force Cadet of the Pahlavi Era

Young Iranian woman,
Your place is high in the skies of Persia,
Your place is not by the foot of a Muslim man, as a lap dog!
Arise and break the Arabo-Islamic Chain of slavery,
Arise and regain your lost "Persian Prestige",
Arise and once more, regain your humanity!
You are a proud Persian Woman.

Pahlavi Imperial Iranian Air Force Airwomen Unit 1971
Proud, Persian Female Warriors

For more information read:

Pictorial History of Iranian Military Uniforms: Chapter 21. Pahlavi 1

Woman, Stand Up Now!

I want you to right at this moment, go out and stand in the middle of the streets of Iran or exile, tell yourselves, you are proud Persian women, then shout it from the top of your lungs:

"I am a proud Persian Woman,
I will break the chains,
Hear me roar, Hear me roar!"

Persian Woman Pride
Pure Persian Pride

I promise you, The Resistance will be victorious.

Many are schooled, yet only a few are truly educated!

Pure Persian Pride

Dr. X

Related Books and Articles

Books

8000 Years of Iranian History: 3 Parts

Faravahar History and Art Galleries: 5 Chapters

Persian Mythology, Gods and Goddesses: 3 Parts

222 Years of Struggle for Independence of Iran (651 AD - 873 AD): 4 Parts – 15 Chapters

Pictorial History of Iranian Military Uniforms: 23 Chapters

Pictorial History of Iranian Flags: 14 Chapters

Atlas of Iran Maps: 15 Chapters

Articles

Iran Dynasties and Monarchs of 8000 Years

Zoroastra and Zoroastrianism, the Real Story!

300: Rise of an Empire, the Real Story and Photo Gallery: 23 Historical Inaccuracies - 3 Parts

300 Spartans, the Real Story! - Historically Accurate Review on 300, the Movie (2007)

Grand Admiral Artemisia of the Persian Imperial Navy (The Lioness)

Alexander, falsification of history by Oliver Stone! – 2 Parts

Bibliography

The Historical documents below, compiled, written, photographed and illustrated by Persian, Arabic, English, Greek, Armenian, and American Historians, Geographers, Philosophers, photographers and illustrators; also different documents, historical articles, books and illustrations researched, written, illustrated and graphic designed by myself have been used to create this historical document.

Sources

I. History of the Iranian People: Part 1 – Pre Islamic Iran by Dr. Abdolhossein Zarrinkoob
II. Two Centuries of Silence by Dr. Abdolhossein Zarrinkoob
III. Transcript of Islam by Dr. Abdolhossein Zarrinkoob
IV. History of Tabari by Abu Jaffar Tabari, compiled by Dr. Mohamad Javad Mashkur
V. Iran in Ancient Times (Iran dar Ahde Bastan) by Dr. Mohamad Javad Mashkur
VI. Complete History of Iran by Dr. Abdollah Razi
VII. Brief History of Iran by Dr. Abdollah Razi
VIII. Historikon de Persicus y Rome by Procope de Byzantine, translated by Mohamad Saeedi
IX. Rowzat Al Safa Series: Volume One by Mohammed Ibn Al Khavand Shah
X. History of Sistan compiled by Malek ol Shoaraye Bahar
XI. Majma'ol Tavarikh compiled by Malek ol Shoaraye Bahar
XII. History of Bel-Azari by Abu Al Abbas Bel-Azari
XIII. Ctesiphone in Smoke, Fire and Blood by Dr. Kourosh Aryamanesh
XIV. Treasury of Names (Ganjine-ye Nam): Volume 2: Women’s Names by Dr. Kourosh Aryamanesh and Guardians of the Persian Culture (Pasdaran-e Farhang-e Iran)
XV. Issues of "Message of Us, the Free" (Payame Ma Azadegan) aka "Persian Journal of Libertarians" Newspaper by Dr. Kourosh Aryamanesh and Guardians of the Persian Culture (Pasdaran-e Farhang-e Iran)
XVI. Parade at Persepolis - Published by The Imperial Iranian Armed Forces Committee for the Celebration of The 2500th Anniversary of The Founding of The Persian Empire, Supreme Commander's Staff, Public Relations Department
XVII. Historical Atlas of the Ancient World 4,000,000 BC – 500 BC by Dr. John Haywood
XVIII. Historical Atlas of the Classical World 500 BC - 600 AD by Dr. John Haywood
XIX. Atlas of World History by Dr. John Haywood
XX. Gatha by Zarathustra Spitmata, translated and commented by Mobad Firuz Azargoshasb
XXI. Avesta by Zarathustra Spitmata and Assembly of Mobad Zoroastrian Experts
XXII. Shahnameh by Abolqasem Ferdowsi Tusi
XXIII. Sassanian Elite Cavalry 224 AD – 642 AD written by Dr. Kaveh Farrokh and illustrated by Angus McBride
XXIV. Javame'ol Hekayat va Lavame'ol Ravayat by Seyed Din Mohammad Ufi of Bokhara
XXV. Kamel al Tavarikh by Ibn Asir
XXVI. The Greek and Persian Wars 500 BC – 323 BC written and illustrated by Jack Cassin-Scott
XXVII. The Persian Army 560 BC – 330 BC written by Nicholas Sekunda and Illustrated by Simon Chew
XXVIII. The Uniforms of the Roman World and Their Enemies – An Illustrated Encyclopedia by Kevin F. Kiley, Consultant by Jeremy Black MBE
XXIX. Battledress – The Uniforms of the World’s Great Armies edited by I. T. Schick, Introduction by Alun Chalfont and Illustrated by Wilhelm von Halem
XXX. Historikon by Procope de Byzantine
XXXI. Rome’s Enemies (3): Parthians and Sassanid Persians written by Peter Wilcox and illustrated by Angus McBride
XXXII. Selection of Works by Hojatollah Shakiba
XXXIII. Encyclopedia of Zarin compiled by M. Azinfar
XXXIV. Various online and offline illustrations and Arts by various artists.
XXXV. A great number of historical documents, essays, articles, books and illustrations - researched, written and graphic designed by Ahreeman X.

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