20 Famous Wars Started by Women

Queen Zenobia’s Palmyrene regime expanded aggressively and eventually came into open conflict with Emperor Aurelian. She supported military actions that transformed Palmyra—once an important ally—into a formidable rival, pushing the situation toward war. Her military decisions made a confrontation with Rome virtually inevitable.

Queen Amanirenas of Kush is closely associated with launching attacks against Roman-controlled Egypt and subsequently forcing Rome to engage in difficult negotiations. She stands out because she did not merely resist, but helped shape the course of the conflict and determine its outcome. The war ended with terms that significantly preserved Kush’s independence.

Under Queen Teuta’s regency, Illyrian piracy intensified, prompting Rome to declare war. Although Rome officially initiated the conflict, it was Rome’s political decisions that created the conditions that led to the outbreak of war.

During the Boxer Rebellion, an imperial edict (issued under the Qing court, with Cixi effectively holding power) declared war on several foreign powers. In doing so, it transformed the Boxer Rebellion—which had been a regional, anti-foreign, and anti-Qing uprising—into a war supported by the empire. Regardless of how one interprets this political decision, it significantly raised the stakes and shaped the next phase of the conflict.

Nzinga (Njinga) spent decades resisting Portuguese power through warfare, alliances, and strategic shifts as the ruler of Ndongo and Matamba. Through guerrilla tactics and strategy, she succeeded in maintaining Matamba’s independence until her death.

Queen Amina of Zazzau is remembered as a renowned Hausa warrior queen who led extensive military campaigns that enabled her kingdom to reach its greatest extent. The details are a matter of debate, but her legacy is invariably linked to the organized conquest and defense of the region.

During the reign of Tamar of Georgia, the kingdom entered a period of intense military activity and expansion, marking its “golden age.” Sources describe campaigns waged in the early 1200s that expanded Georgian power and involved deliberate offensives. She may not have been a peaceful queen, but she was effective.

The reign of Ranavalona I is often remembered for the internal repression it entailed, but it also gave rise to mobilizations and military campaigns aimed at maintaining sovereignty and control. Her state relied heavily on forced labor and militarized structures, and conflict was an integral part of this system. The result was a long and harsh reign, in which violence was no mere afterthought.

During the reign of Queen Mary I, England entered the Anglo-French War (1557–1559), which resulted in the loss of Calais. The decision to join this broader conflict reshaped England’s strategic position and became a defining and painful event of her reign.

Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị led a revolt against the Chinese authorities in what is now northern Vietnam around 40 A.D. They briefly established an autonomous regime before Han forces returned in force. This event is famous because it is both a military revolt and a founding national memory.

Yaa Asantewaa, the Queen Mother of Ejisu, led a rebellion against British colonial rule in 1900, often referred to as the War of the Golden Stool. This war was linked to British claims regarding the Golden Stool, a major symbol of Ashanti identity. Although it ended in defeat, this war has become an enduring symbol of the anti-colonial struggle.

Olga is remembered for her ruthless campaign to subdue the Drevlians after they killed her husband, Igor. While certain aspects of her story of revenge are shrouded in dramatic accounts, historical tradition consistently links her reign to a forceful reassertion of her control. If you’re looking for an example of political violence being used to consolidate power, here it is.

Margaret of Anjou is widely regarded as one of the leading figures of the Lancastrian camp during the War of the Roses, particularly as Henry VI’s mental state deteriorated. She helped shape the strategy and kept the conflict on a political level in support of her son’s claims. Her actions directly provoked the Yorkist faction and plunged England into several decades of civil war.

The civil war known as the Anarchy arose from a succession crisis, but Matilda’s claims and the actions of her supporters helped turn it into a protracted conflict. Even the sources indicate that her allies declared their support for her and mobilized a rebellion that caused the situation to escalate into a civil war. Her role was central, as the debate over the legitimacy of the conflict revolved around her right to rule.

Lakshmi Bai, the Rani of Jhansi, became a major figure in the military during the Indian Rebellion of 1857–1858. Although she did not instigate the rebellion, she led the armed resistance and became one of its most renowned commanders.

As Lady of the Mercs, Æthelflæd led campaigns that recaptured territory from the Vikings. Her reign is associated with concrete military actions and the strategic construction of fortresses that shifted the balance of power. Her reign was characterized by sustained offensive leadership rather than by a single war.

The War of Granada was waged during the joint reign of Ferdinand II and Isabella I, and historical sources describe the war’s outbreak and course as being linked to their reign and their decisions. Isabella’s role was by no means secondary; she is explicitly listed among the commanders and portrayed as a central political driving force behind the campaign. This is one of the most famous examples of a queen at the center of a major war in European history.

During Wu Zetian’s reign, the state tasked generals with leading campaigns against rival powers, notably Tibet, and some sources indicate that she issued military orders and directed operations. As sovereign, she oversaw the conflicts through the empire’s administrative machinery. Her administration achieved significant military successes, extending Chinese territory deep into Central Asia.

In the 16th century, Elizabeth I drew England into open conflict by supporting the Dutch revolt and stepping up her military and privateer support. Once English troops and funds were officially committed, the rivalry escalated into an all-out war that lasted nearly two decades. The outcome of the war was largely undecided, but it allowed England to focus on domestic stability and, ultimately, on the colonization of North America.