For a period which ended 2,500 bc ours was a matriarchal world. History does not tell us how well the women did because history his-story] was written by later men. The men took over about 2,500 bc and how well they have done in organizing and running society is at best debatable. During the 4,500 years of patriarchal rule the women nevertheless continued to make exceptional contributions to society and in this volume the reader will find a generous sampling of extraordinary women. And they are not just writers and women of the stage but also the rulers of nations, generals leading troops and even a female pirate