(images from http://www.xojane.com/sex/scandalous-women-in-history)
Cleopatra Queen of Egypt
Who she is: The legendary last pharaoh of ancient Egypt known for her power, seduction, and ruthlessness. Why she's scandalous: Cleopatra knew how to use her sex appeal to get what she wanted, including having herself delivered to Caesar rolled up in a Persian carpet before becoming his mistress. She then famously became Mark Antony's lover — which ended with him taking his own life and her allegedly killing herself with a snake bite.
Joanna Hiffernan
Who she is: An Irish model and muse from the 19th century who was known for getting involved with the artists she posed for. Why she's scandalous: It was scandalous enough at the time that Joanna was an unmarried artists' model for her boyfriend, American painter James Abbott McNeill Whistler. But the real shocker came when she started modeling for (and having an affair with) Whistler's friend, French painter Gustave Courbet. It is also strongly believed that Hiffernan is the model for Courbet's controversial "L'Origine du monde."
Lady Godiva
Who she is: An 11th century Anglo-Saxon noblewomen known for her legendary naked horseback ride. Why she's scandalous: According to legend, Lady Godiva felt bad for the people suffering from being heavily taxed by her husband. So in order to convince her husband to give the people relief from the taxes, she stripped naked and rode a horse through the town with nothing but her long hair covering herself. The term "Peeping Tom" stems from this story, as it was said one man watched Godiva through a hole in his shutters and was struck blind.
Lillie Langtry
Who is she: Langtry became the royal mistress of the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward (“Bertie,” later Edward VII), in 1877. Why she's scandalous: In July of 1879, Langtry began another affair with the Earl of Shrewsbury, which put her out of the royalty’s good graces and at the mercy of the creditors who repossessed the trappings of her aristocratic lifestyle.
Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire
Who is she: Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (7 June 1757 – 30 March 1806), formerly Lady Georgiana Spencer, was the first wife of the 5th Duke of Devonshire and mother of the 6th Duke of Devonshire. Why she's scandalous: The Duchess of Devonshire is famous not only for her marital arrangements, her catastrophic affairs, her beauty and sense of style, and her political campaigning, but also for her love of gambling. She was reported to have died deeply in debt, even though her own family, the Spencers, and her husband's family, the Cavendishes, were immensely wealthy.
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