This course looks at women warriors and military commanders in history, from the original Amazons to the present day. It’s often been an emotive subject, one way or the other, with the facts obscured by the prejudices of the writers, and what they wanted to be true. We will try to find the facts behind all this, while also examining how the concept was used in propaganda and mythology. Specific periods to examine will include the original Amazons (Skythian horse nomads), the Vikings, the medieval period, the American Civil War, and WW2. Apart from serious literature and archaeology, we will also look at what can be learnt from historical re-enactment (and how it can be misleading!), and how the whole concept has been used in fantasy and historical fiction, and in gaming.
Additional information about this course
Half term date: 15/02/2022
Course aim
To look at women warriors and military commanders in history, from the original Amazons to the present day, trying to strike a balance between chauvinism and feminism in favour of realism
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Understand the extent to which women fought, throughout history
- Have a healthy mistrust of accounts by historians with an axe to grind
- Name at least one major conflict in which women played a significant part
- Describe some ways in which women are inherently better than men at fighting
What else do I need to know?
A rudimentary knowledge of world history would probably help, but will not be assumed.
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