Hortensi a
Now , every woman mentioned on this list is definitely an icon in my mind - but Hortensia holds a special place in my heart . Being a master orator in the late Roman Republic , Hortensia connects to me as I do a TON of speech-based activities in school ( debate and MUN nerds unite !)
Hortensia was born as the daughter of Quintus Hortensius . Hortensius was known for his lectures on law and history and his feud with Cicero . From a young age , Hortensia learned Greek and Latin . Inspired by her father , she decided to concentrate her studies on rhetoric .
In 42 BC , Rome was in a state of conflict : the Triumvirs were at war with the assassins of Julius Caeser . To fund this war , the Triumvirs decided to tax the 1,400 most wealthy women of Rome . The women were outraged considering they were being taxed without any representation and were not fond of the war in the first place . The enraged women marched to the Roman Forum where Hortensia delivered her famous speech against the taxation . Due to her speech , she got rid of the majority of the taxes on women . She was praised thoroughly for her speech , many stating that her oratory technique was of the utmost perfection .