The Blood Throne of Caria: 3 (Empire of the Nightingale)

In the early fifth century BC Artemisia is trained in medicine the sword and statecraft--and no one cares. Her marriage will cement an alliance for her father and make a prince heir to his throne. However this Amazonian spitfire will not be reduced to a traded commodity. When the Persian Emperor demands a hostage Artemisias father sends his thirteen-year-old daughter in her brothers place. Instead of succumbing to loneliness Artemisia charms the Imperial Court and converts her exile into her own private tutelage. Three years later she returns to Caria as the heir to her fathers throne. Princes pile upon each other to marry her. Dreading a life of submission Artemisia delays the wedding--only to discover that her suitors are willing to kill for her hand. Brutally forced into wedlock she outmaneuvers the kings of Caria in the palace and on the field of battle cleaving the ramparts of patriarchy to become one of historys fiercest heroines.Roy Casagranda is a professor of political science in Austin Texas where he gives monthly public lectures on politics philosophy and history (many can be found here: https: //www.youtube.com/channel/UCUGwVgtUewevtLvu7NaxVrw). He also contributes regularly to local news outlets about US and Middle East politics.