Goddesses, warriors, nurturers, sages, lovers, rulers, mothers: with exquisite illustrations and an astonishing array of myths and legends that enlighten, surprise, and inspire, this collection pays tribute to the power of the feminine. From the divine to the sensual, women have long exercised a profound influence on world cultures, and so have become integral to the stories they tell. These tales, from ancient Egypt to old Ireland, from classical Greece to China, praise the divine and human heroines who demonstrate courage, daring, wit, creativity, and loyalty. The unforgettable women portrayed in these pages include Deborah, the brilliant Biblical judge and priestess who planned a winning battle against the Canaanite general Sisera and his mighty army; the Chinese general Mulan, who brought her soldiers safely through combat and saved her country; the ferocious Amazon Myrine, who conquered Atlantis; and Medb, queen of Connacht, whose adventures in war--and love--inspired a great Irish epic.