The aim of the article is to present several women who lived in the pre-Christian era. They dealt with different branches of knowledge thus winning respect and fame. Among them you can find Sappho, Erinna, the poetesses philosophers Arethe and Hypathia as well as Anthiochis – a physician and Mary the Jewess – an alchemist. The author presents their lives and work and arrives at the conclusion that they managed very well in the world governed by men. She also hopes that their example will change, at least partly, the picture of women in the ancient times.Celem artykułu jest prezentacja kilkunastu kobiet, które żyły w czasach przedchrześcijańskich. Bohaterki nasze zajmowały się z powodzeniem różnymi dziedzinami wiedzy, zdobywając już za życia...