A discussion of noble women in ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian society

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A discussion of noble women in ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian society

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Abstract

Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt were both patriarchal societies. Women were second class citizens. However, in both civilizations women rose to prominence and even managed to rule. This paper will contrast those exceptions to male domination and the way they differed.

The ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia based their societies on monarchy which doubled as theocracy. Egypt viewed their pharaohs as both divine and mortal. Not only was the Egyptian pharaoh the connection between the citizenry and the gods, but also a god himself. Mesopotamians were less slightly inclined to grant divinity to their kings. Their kings were still connections between gods and citizens but they were merely agents.Even though kingship was usually passed down from father to son, the queen was an important component of legitimizing the king's rule. The people needed reassurance that their king had divinity and permission of the gods.

Introduction
The Kings' wives
1. The wife of Zimri-Lim, king of Mari
2. The queen's correspondence with her husband
3. Queen Meresankh III wife of Khafra
4. Nefertiti: The great royal wife of the Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep IV
The Kings' Mothers
1. The power exercised by the queen mother
2. Addu-dui: The mother of Zimri-Lim
3. Naqi'a-Zakutu
Ruling Queens
1. The queen Ku-Bau or Kubaba
2. Mesopotamian queens
3. Queen Nitocrisis
4. The reign of Hatshepsut
Conclusion
Works cited

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[...] Daughters of Gaia: women in the ancient Mediterranean world. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers Vivante, Bella. Daughters of Gaia: women in the ancient Mediterranean world. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers Vivante, Bella. Daughters of Gaia: women in the ancient Mediterranean world. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers Vivante, Bella. Daughters of Gaia: women in the ancient Mediterranean world. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers http://www.livius.org/cg-cm/chronicles/abc19/weidner.html Seirbert, Isle. Women in Ancient Near East. Trans. Marianne Herzfeld. Ed. George Shepperson. German Democratic Republic: Edition Leipzig Seirbert, Isle. Women in Ancient Near East. [...]

[...] Daughters of Gaia: women in the ancient Mediterranean world. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers Vivante, Bella. Daughters of Gaia: women in the ancient Mediterranean world. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers Hillard, Kristina M. Images of Gendered Kingship: Visual Representations of Hatshepsut and her Influence on Images of Nefertiti. Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest Information and Learning Company Hillard, Kristina M. Images of Gendered Kingship: Visual Representations of Hatshepsut and her Influence on Images of Nefertiti. Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest Information and Learning Company Hillard, Kristina M. [...]

[...] Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers The author prepared a book that compares women in Ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Greek and Roman times. Her book gives broad details of accomplishments of the individual women in power. This will be helpful as I will be able to contrast and compare the ruling women in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Hillard, Kristina M. Images of Gendered Kingship: Visual Representations of Hatshepsut and her Influence on Images of Nefertiti. Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest Information and Learning Company Hillard, Kristina M. [...]

[...] Many high officials consulted the king's mother with important administrative concerns, as well as other political and military matters of important to her son's reign.[28] She was also entrusted with many “confidential” undertakings in her son's interest.[29] Another king's mother, Sammuramat, has a large inscribed statue at the entrance of a temple inscribed and dedicated to her, prominently place next to a statue of her son.[30] Sammauramat often made dedications for herself, placing her name before her son's.[31] Finally, Naqi'a-Zakutu, the favorite wife of Assyrian king Sennacherib, 704- 81BCE was a powerful mother in ancient Mesopotamian society.[32] Although she seems to only have the title of concubine to Sennacerib, she used her power to exert influence in the selection of the following king. [...]

[...] However, in both Mesopotamian and Egyptian history there are tales of female rulers. This is extremely important to the history of both ancient civilizations. It definitely reflects the values of the general citizens beyond dictating historical importance. Changes occurred during period where women ruled. In Egypt, many queens took advantage of being a temporary ruler for their minor heir-apparent in order to take over the throne. Little is known about ruling queens of Mesopotamia, there are three speculated female rules due to legends, burials and official administrative records. [...]

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