Hypsicrates / Hypsicratea, Queen and Warrior
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Name: Valerius Maximus Date: 1st century CE Region: Unknown Citation: Memorable Deeds and Sayings 4.6.ext.2 |
Often, authors will use depictions of other nations as a mirror for
their own society. Here Hypsicrates / Hypsicratea is praised for challenging
gender roles and fighting alongside their husband. Note that they are not
condemned for this “masculine” behavior because they are not Roman, and
therefore this behavior does not challenge or threaten Roman customs.
Queen
Hypsicratea loved their husband Mithridates with such abandon that they gave up
the beauty of their feminine form and dressed as a man to please him. They cut
off their hair and accustomed themself to the lifestyle of a cavalryman so that
they could more easily share his lifestyle and his dangers. When their husband
was defeated by Gnaeus Pompey, they followed him in his retreat through hostile
nations, matching his unflagging strength and courage with their own. Their
immense loyalty was quite a solace and pleasant comfort to Mithridates as he
underwent such trying times. With his wife by his side, it was as if he
traveled with his home and family gods alongside him, too.
Hypsicratea quoque regina Mitridatem coniugem suum effusis caritatis
habenis amavit, propter quem praecipuum formae suae decorem in habitum virilem
convertere voluptatis loco habuit: tonsis enim capillis equo se et armis
adsuefecit, quo facilius laboribus et periculis eius interesset. Quin etiam
victum a Cn. Pompeio per efferatas gentes fugientem animo pariter et corpore
infatigabili secuta est. Cuius tanta fides asperarum atque difficilium rerum
Mitridati maximum solacium et iucundissimum lenimentum fuit: cum domo enim et
penatibus vagari se credidit uxore simul exulante.
Valerius Maximus [1st century CE] Little is known about the life of
Valerius Maximus except that he wrote during the reign of the emperor Tiberius.
His work, Memorable Deeds and Sayings, is a collection of examples from
Roman and world history categorized by theme for the purpose of rhetorical
exercises.
