Hirut and Minim encourage the troops as the embodiment of the Emperor and Mother Ethiopia. The women fight for the first time. In battle, Hirut becomes separated from Aklilu. Kidane finds her and tells her to leave as she may be pregnant with his child. Instead, she dares soldiers to shoot her.

Ettore and Mario endure wave after wave of Ethiopians. When Hirut appears, looking shellshocked, Ettore urges her to flee, but Fucelli captures her.

The Chorus sings of Aster and Hirut and all the women warriors before and after.

Ibrahim asks Hirut the location of Kidane’s camp. When she refuses, they bind her and march her to the prison, where she sees that Aster has been captured and stripped.