Smithsonian Ch. – Epic Warrior Women: Series 1 (2017)

Throughout history, warfare has been seen as the preserve of men, but evidence shows that over the centuries, women were often in on the fight. Join us as we tell the tales of history’s most iconic female fighters, from the legendary Amazons of Central Asia to the gladiators of the Roman Empire to the all-female fighting force of West Africa. Discover the extraordinary lives of women who, just as fiercely as men, bravely fought, endured, and sacrificed.

Part 1: Amazons
Discover the origins of the Greek Amazon mythology and find answers among the ancient nomad warriors of the Eurasian grasslands. Hailing from the Scythian tribes, these warriors controlled a swathe from Eastern Europe to Central Asia and kept the great powers of Greece, Persia and China at bay.

Part 2: Gladiatrix
Ancient Rome interpreted Greek mythology by encouraging gladiator women to fight to the death as Amazons in the arena. Explore how these young women managed to survive in desperate conditions, why so many were ready to die for the sake of public entertainment and what skills they needed to stay alive.

Part 3: Africas Amazons
The Agoojj were a small but powerful fighting force of women in West Africa that steadily expanded in the 17th century against the much larger Asante and Yoruba Kingdoms. Learn how this all-female, slave-raiding regiment terrified both the local populations and the Europeans sent to conquer them.