Zenobia

Zenobia in Chains
Harriet Hosmer, 1859
4 h 45 m

Zenobia was a badass Syrian queen who ruled her country after her husband's death and conquered Egypt and ruled that before being overthrown by the Roman Emperor Aurelian. She was said to be more beautiful than Cleopatra, and less of a whore as well. When she was captured by the Romans, they put her in golden chains and paraded her through the streets. However, Aurelian was so impressed by her beauty and dignity that he set her free and gave her a mansion. She proceeded to marry a Roman nobleman and have tons of daughters who all married rich men while she became a renowned philosopher before dying of old age.

There are different versions of her story, but I prefer this one.

EDIT: Rescanned, dorky face in background now gone.