History has a way of turning powerful women
into folklore.
Elizabeth Báthory, a Hungarian noblewoman and alleged serial killer from the 16th and 17th centuries, is certainly at the top of the list as, even 400 years after her death, she continues to inspire tales of horror and sadism.
Deemed the world's most prolific female murderer by Guinness World Records, Báthory reportedly killed more than 600 young girls to satisfy her need for blood. But, like most events in history, her story is complicated.
Was she a cold-blooded, tortured murderer? Or was she the victim of a wide-ranging conspiracy? Browse the gallery and judge for yourself.