#zakutu

Ten Great Ancient Mesopotamian Women: Monarchs, Generals, and Scribes

Upward mobility in ancient Mesopotamia was possible but by no means probable, and most people died in the same social class and circumstance they were born into. Some of the women on this list were born into nobility, and so, one might think, it is not surprising they should have come to wield the kind of power they did. Mesopotamian upper-class and noble women, however, were still considered of less worth than men, and so the fact that any of them were able to claim and hold supreme authority over males is quite impressive.

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Diez grandes mujeres de la Antigua Mesopotamia: Monarcas, generales y escribas

La vida de las mujeres en la antigua Mesopotamia estaba regulada por una jerarquía patriarcal, pero dentro de esa estructura social hubo muchas que se distinguieron por sí mismas y algunas lograron asumir puestos tradicionalmente masculinos. Hubo mujeres que se desempeñaron como generales, escribas, y aún gobernantes por derecho propio.

Zakutu

Zakutu (l. c. 728 - c. 668 BCE) was the Akkadian name of Naqi’a, a secondary wife of Sennacherib of Assyria (r. 705-681 BCE). Though she was not Sennacherib's queen, she bore him a son, Esarhaddon, who would succeed him. She may have ruled briefly as queen after Esarhaddon’s death and was grandmother to his successor, Ashurbanipal.

She is best known for the Zakutu Treaty which ensured a smooth transition of power after Esarhaddon (r. 681-669 BCE) died unexpectedly on campaign in Egypt. Ashurbanipal (r. 668-627 BCE) was able to assume the throne without challenge due primarily to his father’s careful planning and the claim that Zakutu was responsible for Ashurbanipal’s rise to power has been discredited. Her treaty only ensured that Esarhaddon’s wishes were honored by the court and nobility.

Ten Great Ancient Mesopotamian Women

The lives of women in ancient Mesopotamia were regulated by a patriarchal hierarchy, but within this social structure, there were many who distinguished themselves and some who were able to assume positions traditionally held by men. Women served as generals, scribes, and even ruled in their own right.

Painted Votive Statue of a Woman, Ur

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin (Copyright)

Dix Femmes Remarquables de l'Ancienne Mésopotamie: Monarques, Généraux et Scribes

Dans l'ancienne Mésopotamie, la vie des femmes était régie par une hiérarchie patriarcale, mais au sein de cette structure sociale, nombreuses étaient celles qui se distinguaient et certaines réussirent à occuper des postes traditionnellement tenus par des hommes. Les femmes servirent en tant que générales, scribes, et certaines même gouvernèrent de plein droit.

Zakutu

Zakutu (en torno a 728 - alrededor de 668 a.C.) era el nombre acadio de Naqi'a, una esposa secundaria de Senaquerib de Asiria (que reinó de 705-681 a.C.). Aunque no era la reina de Senaquerib, le dio un hijo, Asarhaddón, que lo sucedería en el trono. Puede que gobernase brevemente como reina tras la muerte de Asarhaddón y fue la abuela de su sucesor, Asurbanipal.

Diez grandes mujeres de la Antigua Mesopotamia

La vida de las mujeres en la Antigua Mesopotamia estaba regulada por una jerarquía patriarcal, pero dentro de esa estructura social hubo muchas que se distinguieron por sí mismas y algunas lograron asumir puestos tradicionalmente masculinos. Hubo mujeres que se desempeñaron como generales, escribas, y aún gobernantes por derecho propio.

Dix Femmes Remarquables de l'Ancienne Mésopotamie

Dans l'ancienne Mésopotamie, la vie des femmes était régie par une hiérarchie patriarcale, mais au sein de cette structure sociale, nombreuses étaient celles qui se distinguaient et certaines réussirent à occuper des postes traditionnellement tenus par des hommes. Les femmes servirent en tant que générales, scribes, et certaines même gouvernèrent de plein droit.