Women in Ancient Persia, 559-331 BC [Paperback]

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.

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