Queen Phaedymia Shahbanu - The Persian Queen who used her feminine wiles and sex appeal to overthrow a king of the Achaemenid Empire
Amestris Shahbanu

Queen Phaedymia Shahbanu – The Persian Queen who used her feminine wiles and sex appeal to overthrow a king of the Achaemenid Empire

Queen Phaedymia Shahbanu was queen consort to three Persian Kings of the Achaemenid Empire.[1] They were King Cambyses II, the False Smerdis, and King Darius the Great. She was also the niece of King Cyrus the Great.[2] Queen Phaedymia Shahbanu was known for her involvement in overthrowing the False Smerdis.[3] She also helped enthrone King [read more]

Book News

Book News Week 14

*contains affiliate links* Book News Week 14 – 30 March – 5 April 2026 Dressing the Queen: Two Hundred Years of Makers and Monarchy  Hardcover – 2 April 2026 (UK) Kindle Edition – 2 April 2026 (US) Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest  Hardcover – 30 March 2026 (UK) Marks [read more]

Dutch Laurel Wreath Tiara
Royal Jewels

The Dutch Laurel Wreath Tiara

The Dutch Laurel Wreath Tiara is one of the oldest pieces in the royal collection. Embed from Getty Images However, it is unclear when exactly it came into the family. One theory states that it originally belonged to Princess Louise, the sister of King William I of the Netherlands. Another theory suggests that it was [read more]

Artystone Shahbanu -The favourite wife of King Darius the Great of the Achaemenid Empire
Artystone Shahbanu

Artystone Shahbanu -The favourite wife of King Darius the Great of the Achaemenid Empire

Queen Artystone Shahbanu was queen consort to King Darius the Great of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. She was also the daughter of King Cyrus the Great. Queen Artystone Shahbanu has largely been eclipsed by her more famous sister, Queen Atossa Shahbanu.[1] This may be because Queen Artystone Shahbanu’s sons did not become kings.[2] Nevertheless, Queen Artystone [read more]