Pantea Arteshbod ('arteshbod' translates to 'commander') [1] (559-529 BCE; fl. 539 BCE), was a Persian military commander during the reign of Cyrus The Great. [2] [3] [4] [5]
In 547 BCE, she was one of the commanders who lead Persia to victory in its conquest of Babylonia; even after this conquest, she was recognized for her capable administration of Babylon. [1] Then, she played a tide-turning role in the Battle of Opis in 539 BCE. [5] She also assisted her husband General Aryasb (Arthesbod) in the formation of the famous 10,000 'Persian Immortals', consisting of the 'elites' of Persian war dually responsible for both the imperial guard and standing army during the empire’s expansion.
She was not the only woman to hold high ranking positions in the Persian army. Lieutenant Commander Artunis (c. 500–540 BC), [5] who also served in the army of Cyrus, and Grand Admiral Artemisia I of Caira are often put forward as representatives of ancient female military leaders among discussions of women's contributions to historical battlefields.