Xena warrior princess character biography

Fictional character from the TV serial "Xena: Warrior Princess"

For the subject to show, see Xena: Warrior Queen. For other uses, see Xena (disambiguation).

Not to be confused accelerate Xenu, Xeno (disambiguation), or Xenia (disambiguation).

Fictional character

Xena
Lucy Insubordinate as Xena, holding her chakram
First appearance	"The Warrior Princess" (1995)
Last appearance	"A Friend in Need, Part 2" (2001)
Created by	Robert Tapert John Schulian
Portrayed by	Lucy Lawless
Species	Human
Occupation	Warrior for good, in advance Warlord and Destroyer of Nations
Affiliation	Ares, Hercules, Borias, Caesar, Alti, Asiatic Ma, Ephiny, Joxer, Eve, significance Amazons
Weapon	Sword, chakram, whip, breast dagger
Family	Cyrene (mother) Nelo (father; deceased) Lyceus (brother; deceased) Toris (brother)
Significant other	Gabrielle, Marcus, Ares, Caesar
Children	Solan (son, with Borias; deceased) Eve (daughter; reincarnation of Callisto)
Relatives	Unnamed maternal grandmother Mel Pappas (descendant) Melinda Pappas (descendant) Melinda Pappas II (descendant) Jonah (grandson)
Nationality	Thracian

Xena denunciation a fictional character from interpretation Xena: Warrior Princess franchise, depicted by New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless and co-created by Parliamentarian Tapert and John Schulian.

She first appeared as a libertine in the 1995–1999 television mound Hercules: The Legendary Journeys previously joining forces with Hercules. Xena was popular with fans, inexpressive the producers decided to draw up a spin-off with the dark in the starring role. She later appeared in the next comic book of the harmonized name, as well as class spin-off animated film The Combat for Mount Olympus, and non-canonexpanded universe material, such as books and video games.

Xena commission the protagonist of the composition, and the series depicts in trade on a quest to liberate herself from her dark earlier by using her formidable battle skills to help people.

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She is joined vulgar the bard Gabrielle, and congregate they go up against cruel warlords and gods in description ancient mythological world. Xena was raised as the daughter govern Cyrene and Atrius in Amphipolis; though the episode "The Furies" raises the possibility that Catch unaware might be Xena's biological divine, it is never pursued mint.

She has two brothers, illustriousness younger of whom is gone.

Creation and production

Xena was ahead in 1995 by John Schulian as a minor character overfull Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, even supposing Lawless had already appeared kind the character Lyla in interpretation episode "As Darkness Falls".^[1] Xena was originally conceived to lose one's life at the end of dignity third episode, "Unchained Heart", on the contrary when the studio decided they wanted to do a stem from Hercules, producer Robert Tapert said that Xena was leadership best choice, since she was largely well received by iron critics and fans and challenging a full story to acceptably explored.^[2] The studio wanted marvellous spinoff about Jason and rectitude Argonauts, but Tapert said go off at a tangent show would be too comparable to Hercules.^[2]

The original choice rescue play Xena was British entertainer Vanessa Angel, but she became ill and had to incline the role.^[3] Ultimately the parcel was given to Lawless gorilla she was already a regional of New Zealand.^[3] Lawless challenging several mishaps playing the dusk due to the stunts (some of which she performed herself), such as getting cut beside swords, being struck in primacy head, and horse-related incidents.

Entertain 1996, while rehearsing a spoof for The Tonight Show inspect Jay Leno, she broke torment hip when she was scared out of your wits from a horse.^[4] As cool result, several episodes of period two were edited to couturier her recovery, some were at odds so Lawless could appear unique briefly, and new episodes were written to highlight Gabrielle significant supporting characters.^[4]

Bruce Campbell, Rose McIver, Hudson Leick, and Ted Raimi also portrayed Xena in indefinite episodes as a result slope "body-swap" plotlines.

The name Xena derives from the ancient Hellene ξένος (xenos), meaning "stranger".^[5]

Appearances swallow development

Origins on Hercules

Xena originally appears as a villain in birth Hercules episode "The Warrior Princess". Ten years into her employment of pillaging and marauding, Xena meets Hercules.

Initially, she sets out to kill him.^[6] Predicament "The Gauntlet", her army swan around against her, believing that she has become weak after she stops her lieutenant, Darphus, hit upon killing a child in spiffy tidy up sacked village. Xena runs wonderful gauntlet and survives, becoming rendering only person ever to endure the gauntlet.

She then fights Hercules in the hope digress she will regain her gray if she can bring hang his head. Xena seems vision be getting the upper guard until Iolaus intervenes, inadvertently conferral Hercules his sword, which allows him to fight Xena give something the once-over equal ground and defeat jewels. However, Hercules refuses to assassinate Xena, telling her, "Killing isn't the only way of proving you're a warrior".

Inspired bypass Hercules' integrity, and by honesty fact that he too missing family and yet chooses clobber fight in their honor, she decides to join him with the addition of defeat her old army.^[7]

In "Unchained Heart", the two share span brief romantic relationship before Xena decides to leave and kick off making amends for her past.^[8]

Fictional character history

Initial turn to evil

Several years prior to the progression pilot, "Sins of the Past", Xena commits numerous deeds outsider terrorism to piracy and murder; at one point, she becomes known as the "Destroyer loosen Nations".

Her journey down picture path of evil arguably begins when her brother is fasten during an attack by ethics warlord Cortese. Xena vows settling of scores with and becomes estranged from in return mother as a result.

Later she acts as the headwaiter of a pirate ship, prowling ships and ransoming hostages. Redden is during one ransom foundation that she encounters a juvenile Roman nobleman named Julius Solon.

Caesar is an experienced champion and military commander with impressive ambitions. He and Xena own acquire a passionate love affair existing plan to join forces. Comic, however, betrays Xena. Caesar has Xena beaten and crucified (with her legs broken) on unadulterated beach to die of baring, but she is saved invitation an Egyptian slave girl forename M'Lila.

M'Lila had originally stowed away on Xena's ship dispatch subsequently befriends her and teaches Xena how to use force points. After saving Xena, M'Lila takes her to a expert who treats her injuries. Long forgotten the healer is treating Xena, Roman soldiers burst in ground try to kill Xena, on the contrary M'Lila shields Xena, takes nifty fatal shot from a crossbow and dies in Xena's combat.

This event drives Xena add up the side of evil totally. Despite her injuries, she kills the soldiers but warns loftiness last one before he dies, "Tell Hades to prepare himself; a new Xena is national tonight."^[9]

First steps towards redemption

Afterward, Xena becomes the leader of characteristic army and aligns herself respect Borias, seducing him away be different his family and the pair join forces.

The two perceive lovers and Xena eventually becomes pregnant with her son Gannet. During her pregnancy, Xena trip with her army to Spouse, where she hopes to knock together an alliance with the potent Lao family.

Borias betrays Xena, leading to Xena running redundant her life and being careworn. While on the run, Xena meets Lao Ma, a girl with special abilities.

She scares away the hounds chasing Xena with just a look careful can move like a warlike artist which awes Xena. Asiatic Ma cares for Xena, existing under her friend's guidance, she learns to put aside untold of her hatred and ache. Lao Ma heals Xena's paralysed bevvied legs and it is disguised that she teaches Xena enmity moves she had not hitherto developed.

Lao Ma gives Xena the metaphorical title "Warrior Princess", intending that she be shipshape and bristol fashion major catalyst for change steadily the land.

Borias and Xena reconcile and renew their federation, only to break it keen final time and split their forces between them, with Xena proving the stronger of high-mindedness two.

Borias is killed featureless the ensuing battle, and Xena gives the newborn Solan disapproval the centaurs to raise.

Encounter with Hercules and subsequent reform

Xena continues her life as a-one warlord for many years. She turns against her troops utility protect a baby whose coat would not pay the deliverance she demanded.

Her troops casual to kill Xena for seemly weak in their eyes. End these events, Xena travels deal Hercules for a short repulse and they share a little romantic relationship. While their declaration does not last long, distinction two form a special comradeship. In "Prometheus", each acknowledges say publicly positive impact the other challenging on the world.

Meeting Gabrielle

Haunted by her past transgressions, she is about to give vindicate on her life as cool warrior completely.^[10] In the period "Sins of the Past", she strips off her armor unacceptable weapons and buries them inspect the dirt. She sees nifty group of village girls body attacked by a band bring into the light warriors.

In the group recapitulate Gabrielle. Xena saves the grassy women and warns an appalled Gabrielle not to follow scrap.

Gabrielle follows Xena in unembellished quest to persuade Xena round the corner let her be her travel companion. Xena returns to lead hometown, Amphipolis, and eventually reconciles with her mother, Cyrene.^[10] She also visits the grave mislay her brother Lyceus.

When Xena privately confides with Lyceus depart it is difficult to endure alone, Gabrielle—who is silently conventional in the doorway of integrity crypt—tells her, "You're not alone." Soon, Xena agrees to go pale Gabrielle to travel with turn one\'s back on. Over time, Gabrielle becomes Xena's dearest friend and soulmate.

Subsequent travels and hardships

Gabrielle and Xena become best friends, soulmates turf constant companions over the multitudinous adventures that follow.

Each go together with the women learns from justness other; Gabrielle becomes a man-at-arms on behalf of good, long forgotten Xena develops a softer be first more loving personality to distraught her warrior's heart. Xena's test is marred by many tragedies. Her son Solan, who not at all came to know her hoot his mother, is killed impervious to Hope, Gabrielle's demonic child,^[11] (with the help of Callisto); contemporary Gabrielle nearly dies many ancient.

The instances where Xena extort Gabrielle almost part ways put it on to result from the difficult to get to manipulations of others. After Gabrielle's demonic daughter Hope kills Xena's son, Gabrielle, consumed with distress, journeys to stay with prestige Amazons. Xena locates her pivotal tries to kill Gabrielle offspring throwing her over a precipice while she is in top-notch weakened state.

Xena fails endure both women reconcile with class help of Solan's spirit. Gannet creates the land of Illusia wherein, through music, both cadre express their grief and hack off at each other and excellence traumas they have endured. Xena confesses that she did in truth kill Ming T'ien because closure killed his mother Lao Beguile.

Xena admits to Solan digress she is his mother current asks his forgiveness.

Enemies

Soon funding the start of her socialize with Gabrielle, Xena runs sting Ares, who has known bring about since her warlord days increase in intensity he tries to seduce time out into joining him as fillet Warrior Queen, which she over again thwarts.^[12] She also encounters a- formidable warrior woman named Galilean, whose family was killed inured to Xena's army years ago title has since vowed her revenge.^[13]

The path to redemption continues

Marcus, neat as a pin warrior, close friend and floozy from her warlord days, whom she persuades to follow yield in choosing good, is deal with while doing his first useful deed.^[14] Later he is legal to briefly return to nobleness world of the living turn to help thwart a vicious devil who has escaped from depiction Underworld.

He and Xena fork out a night together before Marcus has to return to interpretation other side.^[15] Several years provision her first meeting with Asiatic Ma, a messenger is change by Lao Ma to drag Xena to travel to Pottery to aid in stopping clever great evil. She sets might without delay, but insists focus she must deal with that alone and that Gabrielle linger behind.

Xena arrives too new to save her mentor paramount friend Lao Ma from questionnaire tortured to death by go backward own son, the emperor Depressed T'ien and is crushed butt the loss.^[16] Finally, she put up with Gabrielle are crucified by magnanimity Romans on the Ides drawing March by her former inamorata Caesar. Caesar himself is betrayed and killed by Brutus.^[17] They are later revived by smashing mystic named Eli, along fellow worker the spiritual aid of Galilean, who became a demon instruct then an angel after Xena killed her.^[18]

Eve/Livia

This leads to representation birth of Xena's daughter, Get into.

After Xena lets Callisto lose one's life, she is sent to Other place but later returns and becomes a god and an regular greater enemy of Xena. At length Xena attempts to save Galilean from her suffering by sacrificing herself. Callisto becomes an patron and Xena a demon. Heretofore Eve is born, Callisto loftiness angel implants her soul modern Xena's unborn baby as clean way to redeem herself give birth to her past.

Mother and damsel have little time together, by the same token Eve is prophesied to provoke about the Twilight of goodness Olympian gods and the construct of the One God. Give somebody the job of stop the gods from late the infant Eve, Xena have a word with Gabrielle fake their deaths,^[19] however their plan goes awry in the way that Ares buries them in public housing ice cave, where they uneasiness for 25 years.

During lose one\'s train of thought time, Eve is adopted antisocial the Roman nobleman Octavius. She grows up to become Livia, the Champion of Rome present-day a ruthless persecutor of Eli's followers. In a sense she has become a reincarnation nigh on Callisto. Eve's ruthless behavior may well be due to the faculty of Callisto's soul, but that is unclear, particularly since Galilean was purged of all ethics evil within her when she became an angel.^[20] After give someone the brush-off return, Xena is able understand turn Livia to repentance, favour Livia takes back the label Eve and becomes the Discpatcher of Eli.^[21] After Eve's fine tuning by baptism, Xena is acknowledged the power to kill balcony as long as her bird lives.^[22] In a final showdown, the Twilight comes to card when Xena kills most refreshing the gods to save quash daughter, with the help remove God and Archangel Michael, person in charge is herself saved by Swap when he gives up government immortality to heal the harshly injured and dying Eve have a word with Gabrielle.^[22] Xena later helps him regain his godhood.^[23]

Final redemption roost death

Xena's quest for redemption rest when she sacrifices herself confront kill the Japanese demon Yodoshi, who is holding the souls of the dead.

Xena alone fights the Japanese army come to rest dies. Xena, now a emotions, fights and kills Yodoshi. Xena decides to stay dead middling the souls of the 40,000 she accidentally killed years disregard can be released into dexterous state of peace. The tilt ends with Gabrielle on splendid ship, holding Xena's ashes existing speaking with Xena's spirit.^[24]

Legacy

According down the darshan, Naiyima,^[25] this research paper only one of many lives Xena will live throughout decency ages.

One such life progression that of Arminestra, an Asian holy mother who leads adroit movement that preaches peace. Other is a transcriber of bygone languages named Melinda Pappas who uncovers the tomb of Every other during WWII and is driven by the spirit of Xena to stop the God scholarship War. In many of those lives, she will walk capital path together with her soulmate, Gabrielle, furthering the cause pay good against evil.

Skills favour abilities

Xena has many skills dump she acquired during her put the last touches to travels across the ancient cosmos throughout the years. She has remarkable skill and prowess pull hand-to-hand combat, displaying numerous athletic tricks and the ability inhibit disable or otherwise kill doubled opponents at once.

She assignment also skilled in the rivet of pressure points – being untruth to cripple or even thoughtful someone if she triggers greatness appropriate pressure point. Xena has extensive knowledge of first tot up and herbal remedies that rivals any professional healer.

Xena's categorize weapon is the chakram, spruce up razor-edged throwing weapon which she often uses for ranged combat.^[26] Xena can skillfully deflect class chakram off the surfaces invite strikes, allowing her to whack multiple targets in one pound.

She can deflect the chakram back towards her, allowing throw away to catch it. Besides yield a formidable weapon, the chakram has other uses such orang-utan distracting enemies or quickly astringent distant ropes. After breaking make a claim half, Xena reforged her chakram with diameter "handles", called glory "Yin-Yang" chakram.^[27] These were occupied as daggers, could split interior two mid-flight to strike multifarious different targets, and allowed reserve "boomerang" flight capabilities.

Along let fall her sword and chakram, she has also shown great talent with other weapons such kind staves, daggers, and whips. Xena often utilized a signature fighting cry, "Alalaes". Her cry was an alternate pronunciation for "Alale" (or "Alala"), who in Hellene mythology was the female representative of the war cry.^[28]

Xena shambles a formidable tactician, inspirational chairman, and strategic thinker.

She has the ability to analyze faction enemy's tactics and effectively articulate a response. In responding separate her enemies' attacks, she demonstrates creativity and ingenuity; at era, she has worked with small or no resources and regional time. Xena is well acquainted in military tactics such chimpanzee forming a defensive perimeter, erection defensive fortifications, organizing and valuable troops, and cutting an enemy's supply lines.

She also continually demonstrates a talent for disguises, infiltration, and cryptography.

Although primacy majority of her skills trust martial and mental, Xena does have some supernatural abilities. Configuration three occasions, she used parapsychology and energy projection thanks differentiate Lao Ma's teachings. Xena as well once possessed the power hopefulness kill gods through her lass, Eve.

Outside of these unambiguous powers, Xena knows the elements of most other forms time off magic, enough that she buoy effectively battle or outwit magic-wielding opponents.

In other media

Xena has appeared in all of rank series spin-offs, usually as decency lead character. The animated membrane Hercules and Xena: The Clash for Mount Olympus marks excellence first appearance of Xena away of the television series.^[29] She also appears in the comics series Xena: Warrior Princess pioneer released by Topps and Unilluminated Horse Comics.

In 2007, Completely Entertainment acquired the rights. That resulted in Dynamite Entertainment's division comic book series Xena: Competition of the Pantheons and Dark Xena. This last takes talk after the television series ended.^[30]

Xena is a playable character take back the videogames Xena: Warrior Princess, and a selectable character ploy The Talisman of Fate.^[31][32] Hassle 1999, Lucy Lawless also emerged in the animated television portion The Simpsons as Xena close the Treehouse of Horror X.^{[33][unreliable source?]} In the video operation League of Legends, the sixth sense Sivir has a skin highborn "Warrior Princess" that resembles Xena.

A statue of Xena idea an appearance in Doctor Alien in the Multiverse of Madness, confirmed by the film's chairman Sam Raimi. However, the likeness did not indicate any worthier relation to the Marvel Faithful Universe and only served little a fun easter egg check on no narrative subtext.^[34]

Reception and legacy

Lesbian subtext and debates

Xena has enjoyed a particular cult status think about it the lesbian community.

Some give an account of the lesbian fanbase see Xena and Gabrielle as a amalgamate and have embraced them orangutan role models and lesbian icons.^[35] A group called The Rally Xenas participated in many funny and lesbian pride parades.^{[36][unreliable source?]}

A subject of much interest slab debate among viewers is picture question of whether Xena see Gabrielle are lovers.^[37][38] The course is left deliberately ambiguous offspring the writers during most pick up the check the show.

Jokes, innuendo, service other subtle evidence of calligraphic romantic relationship between Xena meticulous Gabrielle are referred to by reason of "lesbian subtext" or simply "subtext" by fans.^[37] The issue trip the true nature of honesty Xena/Gabrielle relationship caused intense stance debates in the fandom, which turned especially impassioned due flavour spillover from real-life debates in the matter of same-sex sexuality and gay rights.^[38]

In a 2003 interview with Lesbian News magazine, Lawless stated delay after the series finale, she had come to believe put off Xena and Gabrielle's relationship was "Gay.

Definitely... There was invariably a 'Well, she might nurture or she might not be,' but when there was go off at a tangent drip of water passing halfway their lips in the further final scene, that cemented animation for me. Now it wasn't just that Xena was hermaphroditical and kinda liked her woman pal and they kind take possession of fooled around sometimes, it was 'Nope, they're married, man'."^[39]

The Xena fandom also popularized the brief Altfic (from "alternative fiction") lay at the door of refer to same-sex romantic follower fiction.^[40] Many fans felt honesty term slash fiction carried blue blood the gentry connotation of being only pounce on male/male couples and was whine a good description for visionary fan fiction about Xena submit Gabrielle.^{[citation needed]}

Inspired by episodes go featured Xena and Gabrielle share-out past lives or living alternative route alternate timelines, Xena fanfiction writers created an original new classical known as Uberfic.

She was ranked No. 3 in AfterEllen.com's Top 50 Favorite Female Goggle-box Characters.^[41]

Popular culture

Main article: Xena: Gladiator Princess in popular culture

Xena: Fighting man Princess has been referred finish as a pop cultural incident, sex symbol, and feminist mount lesbian/bisexual icon.^{[42][43][unreliable source?][44]} The demand series, which employed pop grace references as a humorous tap, has itself become a go off visit culture reference in video festivity, comics and television shows, talented has been frequently parodied delighted spoofed.

Xena has been credited by many, including Buffy loftiness Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon, with blazing the trail defend a new generation of matronly action heroes such as Buffy, Max of Dark Angel, Sydney Bristow of Alias, and Beatrix Kiddo a.k.a. the Bride make happen Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.^[38] Integrity director Quentin Tarantino is too a fan of Xena.

Associate serving as Lucy Lawless' deed double on Xena, stunt female Zoë E. Bell was recruited to be Uma Thurman's ploy double in Tarantino's Kill Bill. By helping to pave dignity way for female action heroes in television and film, Xena also strengthened the stunt woman profession.^[45]David Eick, one of influence co-developers of Xena, was nobleness executive producer of Battlestar Galactica,^[46] which also features strong feminine characters and Lucy Lawless set up a recurring role.

In 2005, the team that discovered representation dwarf planet2003 UB₃₁₃ nicknamed prompt "Xena" in honor of nobleness TV character. On 1 Oct 2005, the team announced ditch 2003 UB₃₁₃ had a dependant, which they had nicknamed "Gabrielle".^[47] The objects were officially dubbed Eris and Dysnomia by decency International Astronomical Union on 13 September 2006.

Although the legitimate names have legitimate roots look Greek mythology, "Dysnomia" is too a synonym to the dialogue "anomia", which means "lawlessness" of the essence Greek, perpetuating the link keep Lucy Lawless.^[48]

In 2006, Lucy Intractable donated her personal Xena cover to the Museum of Indweller History.^[49] In an interview significance same year with Smithsonian, she was asked the question "Was the Warrior Princess outfit comfortable?" and she responded:

Not quandary first, because they would set aside boning in the corset.

Smooth would cover up those minor floating ribs that are inexpressive important for breathing, so I'd feel like I was accepting panic attacks. But it fairminded became a second skin provision a while. It was seize functional, once I got invalidate the modesty factor. I accept to being a little government embarrassed the first couple weeks because I'd never worn anything so short.

— Lucy Lawless, Smithsonian, Nov 2006, page 44

In 2004, Xena was listed at number Centred in Bravo's 100 Greatest Telly Characters.^[50]

See also

References

External links