Beyond Hearth and Home
Women in the Public Sphere in Neo-Assyrian Society
Sherry Macgregor
Although the impression may still linger that Assyrian women are hidden and unavailable for study, nothing could be farther from the truth. There is a rich treasure trove of textual, visual and archaeological information that gives a detailed and coherent picture of women in the temples and palaces of Assyria. This study reveals that women in Assyria were definitely in the public arena and their lives were not as circumscribed or limited as has been previously supposed. The positions they held in palaces and temples frequently required administrative abilities, business acumen and literacy. In the temples women participated in public rituals and female prophets revealed messages to heads of state. Female musicians performed at public events while foreign female musicians were popular and much sought after. Royal women had names and images displayed in public. Women in the temples and palaces of Assyria generated great respect from the king himself, his circle of advisors and Assyrian and foreign officials. They actively and noticeably participated in the “great institutions” of Assyria. This study makes an important contribution to the increasing number of publications on women in other areas of Mesopotamia and the larger ancient Mediterranean world.
- Description
- Table of Contents
- Subjects
Although the impression may still linger that Assyrian women are hidden and unavailable for study, nothing could be farther from the truth. There is a rich treasure trove of textual, visual and archaeological information that gives a detailed and coherent picture of women in the temples and palaces of Assyria. This study reveals that women in Assyria were definitely in the public arena and their lives were not as circumscribed or limited as has been previously supposed. The positions they held in palaces and temples frequently required administrative abilities, business acumen and literacy. In the temples women participated in public rituals and female prophets revealed messages to heads of state. Female musicians performed at public events while foreign female musicians were popular and much sought after. Royal women had names and images displayed in public. Women in the temples and palaces of Assyria generated great respect from the king himself, his circle of advisors and Assyrian and foreign officials. They actively and noticeably participated in the “great institutions” of Assyria. This study makes an important contribution to the increasing number of publications on women in other areas of Mesopotamia and the larger ancient Mediterranean world.
With indices, bibliography and 15 illustrations.
Introduction
I. Temple Women
Women Cultic Officiants
Female Prophets and Prophecy
II. Musical Women
Textual Evidence
Visual Evidence
Conclusion
III. Palace Women
Households
Royal Women
Sammuramat
Tašmetum-šarrat
Ešarra-hammat
Libbali-šarrat
Conclusion
IV. Naqia/Zakutu – Queen Extraordinaire
Two Names: Naqia and Zakutu
Titles
Religious Activities
Political Arena
Personal Information
Three Theories
Visual Image: The Bronze Relief
Loyalty Oath
Conclusion
Conclusion
Bibliography
Indices
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