Who's Who
Arguments Against Stereotypes
Secrecy and Speech
Faith and Virtue
Women of Power
100

This author begins the Book of the City of Ladies by feeling upset and doubtful after reading books that attack women.

Christine Pizan

100

Christine is taught not to trust male authorities blindly by this first lady.

Lady Reason

100

Christine argues against the stereotype that women cannot keep these.

secrets

100

This woman’s tears helped bring about the conversion of Saint Augustine.

Augustine’s mother

100

This queen is said to have rebuilt and further fortified Babylon with stronger defenses and deep moats after extending her empire across the East.

Semiramis

200

These three allegorical ladies appear to Christine to guide and encourage her.

Reason, Rectitude, and Justice

200

Christine uses this grammatical rule to reinterpret negative statements about women.

antiphrasis

200

These female prophets are used as proof that women were trusted with divine knowledge.

Sibyls

200

This woman was the first to announce Christ’s resurrection.

Mary Magdalene

200

This legendary nation of women arose after the noble men of Scythia were killed, and the surviving women organized, ruled, and defended themselves

Amazons

300

Who is the example Lady Reason uses that is a wise ruler who governed multiple territories and never married? 

Empress Nicaula 

300

Reason argues that women are not naturally excessive in eating or drinking, but instead are often this.

sober / temperate

300

Christine defends women against the claim that they talk too much by pointing to this woman, the first to announce the Resurrection.

Mary Magdalene

300

Christine argues that humanity gained more through this woman than it lost through Eve.

Mary / the Virgin Mary

300

These were the first two Amazon queens named in the text.

Lampheto and Marpasia

400

This final guide promises to complete the city, fill it with worthy women, and bring in its queenly inhabitants.

Lady Justice

400

Reason says children are drawn to women because women are naturally this.

gentle and kind

400

Christine says women’s tears should not be mocked because this Church Father was converted through his mother’s tears.

Saint Augustine

400

This non-Christian woman impressed Christ with her persistence and faith while pleading for her daughter.

woman of Canaan

400

This queen, mother of Saint Louis, ruled France wisely until her son came of age.

Queen Blanche

500

Who first distressed Christine with his writing about women?

Matheolus

500

Christine argues that women can keep secrets by pointing to examples like hidden pregnancies and these female prophets.

Sibyls

500

The proverb says God made woman to do these three things.

weep, talk, and spin

500

Christine argues that women’s tears, speech, and spinning should be seen as gifts from this figure.

God

500

This queen, wife of Charles IV, is remembered for maintaining justice and good rule.

Queen Jeanne

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