Women of Arms: Mythical and Historical Quiz

Answer: Athena

She was the patron of Athens. One of the accounts of her birth explains that she appeared from the forehead of Zeus armed with weapons given by her mother, Metis. Some accounts say that Zeus swallowed Metis. Athena's Roman name is Minerva.

Answer: Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale is known as "The Lady with the Lamp." In addition to her sound thinking on hygiene, nutrition, and wound care, she was respected for her mathematical abilities and significant statistical analyses.

Answer: Sarah Emma Edmonds

She served under the name of Franklin Flint Thompson. Apparently, at that time, no physical examinations were necessary. In her battle years, she was asked to go into enemy territory. She had a range of disguises--she dyed her skin black, impersonated other women and other things. Her battle days ended when Frank Thompson (or Sarah) was called a deserter. At this time, she rapidly escaped and became a woman nurse. Her written account, "The Female Spy of the Union Army" made her a success when it was published in 1864. In 1992, she was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.

Answer: Deborah Samson

She lived from 1760-1827. In 1992, Lucy Freeman and Alma Pond wrote their version of Samson's experiences in "America's First Woman Warrior". Officially, her last name was Sampson, but, after her death she was honored with a Commemorative Medal as Samson.

Answer: Éowyn

Éowyn has been called a shieldmaiden. She suffered when young, thinking that she would be unable to be a warrior. Later, when she stabbed and killed the Witch-King, Éowyn, she ironically fulfilled a prophecy which held that the Witch-King would not be killed by a male hand.

Answer: Brunhilde

Brynhildr or Brunhilde was one of the Valkyries. Her name refers to a fighting, armed woman. She appeared in many versions of Norse mythology. Most accounts present a variant of the story in which she was deceived in love and died, dramatically, on a burning pyre.

Answer: Lessa

Lessa was the lone survivor of the ruling family of Ruatha Hold. When everyone else in her family was killed by Fax, Lessa survived by disguising herself as a unimportant servant. Lessa had amazing telepathic powers.

Answer: Hua Mulan

Aiko in "The Dragonstone" was roughly based on the character of Hua Mulan. There is a lot of debate as to whether she actually lived or whether she was an allegorical figure. Whatever the truth, she seems associated with the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534).

Answer: Wang Cong'er

She lived from 1777-1798. Wang Cong'er began her public career as a circus performer. Later, she was military leader of the White Lotus Sect. At one point, she led more than 40,000 followers. When, finally, in 1798, she was surrounded by troops, she and her female troops jumped over a cliff to their deaths.

Answer: Sarah Connor

In "Terminator 2: Judgment Day", Sarah wanted to kill Miles Dyson. The first "Terminator" movie spoke of her teaching John to fight. An alternate epilogue, however, described her becoming a grandmother. In "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," Sarah died from leukemia. Sarah Connor continued to mix feminine and terminator interests in the sequel dedicated to her alone, "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles."