Ba Trieu (225–248)

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Ba Trieu (225–248)

Vietnamese resistance fighter. Name variations: Trieu Thi Chinh, Trieu Thi Trinh, Trieu Tring Nuong, Lady Trieu; Trieu Au (used by Chinese, though considered disrespectful by Vietnamese). Pronunciation: Bah Tcheel. Born c. 225; lived in Nui Nua, Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam; committed suicide on Tung Mountain, age 23, in 248; sister of Trieu Quoc Dat, a headman in Quang An, Thanh Hoa (northern Vietnam).

Denounced crimes of Chinese Wu Dynasty and appealed to Vietnamese citizens to take up arms to save the country; at 19, rallied 1,000 fighters and trained them for battle on Nua Mountain; was so admired by her brother's soldiers that she took over as leader after his death and led her troops in 30 battles; killed herself on Tung Mountain, rather than give in to the enemy; commended for loyalty and bravery during early Ly Dynasty in 6th century by King Nam De who ordered construction of temple in her honor; serves as inspiration for national defiance against foreign domination; called the Vietnamese Joan of Arc by Western scholars.

See also Women in World History.