Challenging Gender Roles: Hypsicrates / Hypsicratea, Val. Max. 4.6.ext.4

Hypsicrates / Hypsicratea, Queen and Warrior

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.

 Hypsicrates / Hypsicratea, Queen and Warrior

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.