Shammuramat
| Shammuramat | |
|---|---|
| Queen of Assyria | |
| Reign | 811 BCE – 808 BCE or 809 BCE - 792 BCE |
| Successor | Adad-nirari III |
| Spouse | Shamshi-Adad V |
| Issue | Adad-nirari III |
Shammurāmat or Sammuramat was an empress regnant of Assyria between 811 and 808 BCE [1] or from 809 to 792 BCE.[2] She was one of the first known woman to rule an empire. Another known ancient ruling queen is the egyptian queen Hatshepsut (1507 – 1458 BCE).
Family
Shammuramat was a wife of King Shamshi-Adad V and after he died in 811 BC, she ruled the Neo-Assyrian Empire as its regent for five years until her son Adad-nirari III came of age.[1] Other chronologies suggest that her regency lasted from 809 to 792 BCE.[2]
Her son was King Adad-nirari III and her grandson was King Shalmaneser IV.[3]
Monuments
Shammuramat's stela (memorial stone) has been found at Assur, while an inscription at Nimrud indicates that she was dominant there after the death of her husband and before the rule of her son.
Semiramis
The legendary Semiramis is usually considered a purely mythical figure; however, there is evidence in Assyrian records suggesting that she may, in fact, be a Greek reflection of Shammuramat. This identification is disputed. Another possibility is that she is given that title after death to reflect similarities with an earlier Sumerian deity.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 "Sammu-ramat (queen of Assyria)". Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
- 1 2 Reilly, Jim (2000) "Contestants for Syrian Domination" in "Chapter 3: Assyrian & Hittite Synchronisms" The Genealogy of Ashakhet;
- ↑ Georges Roux: Ancient Iraq, Penguin Books, London 1992, ISBN 0-14-012523-X, page 302.
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