A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Telesilla
TELESILLA, a noble Lyric Poetess of Argos,
Who, upon consulting the oracle about her health, being advised to betake herself to the study of the Muses, rendered her country illustrious by her writings, and saved it by her courage. The city was on the point of falling into the hands of the Lacedemonians: it had lost six thousand men, among whom were the flower of its youth. Telesilla collected the women most proper to second her designs, furnished them with arms, which she provided from the temples or houses of individuals, placed herself with them on the walls, and finally repulsed the enemy, who, through fear of being reproached either with victory or defeat, retired from before the city. The most signal honours were paid to these female warriors, some of whom fell in the combat.