Khutulun

Born in 1260, Khutulun was the great-great-granddaughter of Genghis Khan and the niece of Kublai Khan, making her part of perhaps the most intimidating family tree in history. She wasn't content to just ride on her family's coattails, however, preferring to ride into battle alongside her father, Kaidu, a formidable khan himself who fiercely resisted his cousin, the aforementioned Kublai. Evidently, "just being a princess" wasn't quite her style.

Khutulun's unique dowry arrangement certainly put a new spin on prenuptial agreements. She famously vowed to marry only a man who could defeat her in wrestling, with the loser surrendering 10,000 horses to her. While some sources say she remained unwed, others suggest she eventually married a warrior (after reportedly accumulating an impressive herd of 10,000 horses from failed suitors). Either way, it's safe to say Khutulun knew how to make an entrance, and an exit.

Her story, passed down through Marco Polo and Rashid al-Din, paints a picture of a woman who defied expectations in a world not exactly known for its progressive gender roles. Though she lacked any discernible Jewish heritage or inclination, her independent spirit and prowess on the battlefield certainly earned her a spot in the pantheon of historical figures who knew how to get things done.