22. This Woman Dominated a Bronze Age Court
Fu Hao (died circa 1200 BC) was one of the most powerful women of Chinese history. She was one of the Shang emperor’s numerous wives, but she was so remarkable that she swiftly cemented her place as the imperial favorite. She also became the leading figure in court and throughout China in her lifetime. In addition to being a wife and mother, she was also a formidable general who led armies into battle, as well as a priestess and a capable politician.
It was traditional for Shang Dynasty emperors to secure the allegiance of neighboring tribes by marrying a wife from each. That is how Fu Hao came to be one of Emperor Wu Ding’s 64 wives. Once at court, she exhibited remarkable intelligence, as well as military aptitude, and rose rapidly to become the emperor’s favorite wife and most trusted confidant. She also rose to command the Shang armies, led them into battle, defeated and subdued restive tribes, and brought them into the Chinese fold.