SuitabookArtemisia of Caria
Shirin Yim Bridges
- Reading
- Read together if useful, pausing to distinguish the book’s account of historical expectations from its account of Artemisia’s own choices and command.
- Themes
- Women and public life: The story contrasts expectations that women stay at home and avoid public life with Artemisia’s work as a sailor, captain and admiral. This contrast can prompt discussion of who was permitted to hold authority in Artemisia’s world.
- Command and counsel in wartime: During the Persian Wars, Artemisia is described as the only commander on the Persian side who dared to give Xerxes an honest opinion about his fleet. Her advice provides a point of entry to discuss leadership and speaking candidly to someone in power.
- Worth knowing
- The setting includes the Persian Wars and the prospect of a fleet being lost.