Cyrus the Great, who ruled the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE, is known as one of the most powerful Persians who ever lived, conquering empires left and right. His military might led many to think he was invincible. As it turns out, this invincible emperor was conquered and (probably) killed by an unstoppable queen and grieving mother, Tomyris of the Massagetae.

According to Ancient Origins, the Massagetae were a confederation of horse-riding Scythians from Central Asia, who by the Middle Ages would be known as the Huns (of whom you may have heard). Cyrus and the Persians did not see this small kingdom as any kind of threat, and by tricking the Scythian troops into getting drunk he was able to capture and defeat them with little effort. Among those captured, however was Tomyris' son, who committed suicide while in Cyrus' custody.

A furious Tomyris promptly sent messengers to Cyrus, which were ignored. Tomyris then challenged the Persians to a second battle, and this time simple tricks would not suffice for Cyrus. The Massagetae surrounded the Persians, blocking their escape, and fully routed them. By most accounts, the invincible Cyrus met his end at Tomyris' blade, and she then placed his severed head in a bag full of blood, saying perhaps now he would have his fill of gore. With this amazing one-liner, Tomyris saved her kingdom and avenged her son.