persia Archives - History of Royal Women

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

Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 6:00 Lauralee Swann 1

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]

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

Thursday, 26 March 2026, 6:00 Lauralee Swann 0

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]

Cassandane Shahbanu -The second Queen to King Cyrus the Great of the Persian Empire

Saturday, 8 June 2024, 6:00 Lauralee Swann 0

Queen Cassandane Shahbanu was the second Persian Queen of the Achaemenid Dynasty. She was the second Queen to King Cyrus the Great of Persia. King Cyrus the Great married her in order to strengthen his alliance with the Achaemenids.[1] She was most likely the mother of Cambyses II, who would succeed his father as the [read more]

Queen Kashshaya – The eldest daughter of King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon

Wednesday, 21 February 2024, 6:00 Lauralee Swann 0

Queen Kashshaya was the eldest daughter of King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. Historians generally believe that she was queen consort to King Neriglissar of Babylon.[1] While very few facts are known, it is evident that she was a major political player.[2] She owned many estates in Uruk. Her vast wealth and political influence helped shape the events [read more]

Amytis Shahbanu – The aunt and first Queen to Cyrus the Great of the Persian Empire

Wednesday, 14 February 2024, 6:00 Lauralee Swann 0

[Not to be confused with her aunt, Queen Amytis of Babylon] Amytis Shahbanu was the first Persian Queen of the Achaemenid dynasty. She was the daughter of the last Median king, Astyages. King Astyages was defeated by his grandson, King Cyrus the Great. In order to legitimately procure Media, King Cyrus the Great had to [read more]

Amytis of Babylon – The Queen’s Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Monday, 5 February 2024, 6:00 Lauralee Swann 0

Amytis of Babylon was Queen consort to King Nebuchadnezzar II. It was said that Queen Amytis was the reason that King Nebuchadnezzar created the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon.[1] However, it is still unclear if the Hanging Gardens of Babylon existed.[2] As with the existence of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Queen Amytis still remains elusive. [read more]