Women were often left out of the historical records, but a few made such an incredible impact that historians couldn’t exclude them. Here are just a handful of the remarkable women of ancient Greece.

The top swimmer of her time (c. 500 BCE), she swam out to the Persian fleet during a war and cut the moorings of the Persian ships, causing them to crash into each other.

Considered one of the most influential women in Sparta, Gorgo was known for her wisdom, cleverness, and authority throughout the city-state of Sparta.

A female doctor who disguised
herself as a man in order to practice medicine and help women during childbirth.

An astronomer, philosopher, the earliest known female mathematician, and leader of a school of philosophy.

Is said to have defended her city of Argos by marching a troop of women against the invading Spartans. The Spartan army saw the women on the battlefield and retreated, and Telesilla saved her city.

An accomplished poet who wrote thousands of lines of poetry (many
of which did not survive to present day) and is considered one of the greatest female
poets of all time.