Amytis in Profile © The Idle Woman 2016
The facts are these. Amytis was the daughter of Xerxes I (r. 486-465 BC), the sister of Artaxerxes I (r. 465-424 BC) and the wife of the Persian satrap and general Megabyzus. For the purposes of fiction, I’ve given her the dates 489-439 BC. She’s shown here at the age of around 20, some years after her marriage, and shortly before her father’s murder.
The Idle Woman 
‘The Lion Hunter’ story had to start from Amytis, because she is the central figure of your Persian universe. Everything starts and ends with her. I really like the profile (I beheld her only en face previously) – girlish and feminine at the same time, serious and thoughtful. All the details are in perfect harmony – delicate red lips, rosy cheeks, elaborate hairstyle, and jewelry. I really, really like this image. Also, because her pose reminds me of Renaissance women’s portraits.
I’m looking forward the next images, especially with Megabyzus. With the right profile of Megabyzus … 😉