womenofantiquity:Poet, military hero, a badass ancient Greek woman - a true triple threat!BASIC BIO:
womenofantiquity:Poet, military hero, a badass ancient Greek woman - a true triple threat!BASIC BIO: (c. 510 BC) Telesilla of Argos, who spent many of her early years in poor health, consulted a health profession of her day for a cure. She was told to dedicate herself to the Muses - and so she became an avid and innovative poet. As with many ancient poets, very, very little of her writing survives to this day. Meanwhile, in the year 510 BC, the king of Sparta, Cleomenes, launched an attack on Argos. His victory was absolute; by the time he reached Argos itself, it was completely defenseless. Telesilla, unable to accept that the king would take her home unchallenged, rallied her fellow citizens. Young and old men, who would normally be left out of military service, were placed in defensive positions under her direction. She also armed the women, which so unnerved Cleomenes’ troops that they retreated. HER IMPACT: Ancient sources mention a statue of Telesilla at the temple of Aphrodite in Argos. Pausanias writes that as a statue, Telesilla seemed poised for battle, with a helmet in her arms - and books at her feet. -- source link