Description: Xerxes' exploits are famous, but what about Irdabama, a successful landowner who controlled her own wine and grain business? Or the ruthless queen Parysatis who murdered her enemy after a game of dice? By approaching the subject from a near eastern perspective, and thoroughly re-examining the Greek sources, This book is the first to reveal the fascinating picture of women and their economic and political importance in the Persian empire.
Review Quotes: "Brosius's discussion of the roles played by women of all classes...in the public economy of the empire is a major contribution not only to the study of women in antiquity but to ancient economic history as well."--American Historical Review
"..it can be used as a convenient source book from which others can derive generalizations from studying the sources that she has discussed"--History"Brosius's book addresses an important gap in our knowledge of Mediterranean antiquity...the evidence on royal women does enable Brosius to make valuable contributions to some problems of Achaemenid history"--Bryn Mawr Classical Review