What Was Life Like for Women in the First Superpower in Human History
A peek into the lives of women in the Assyrian Empire
The Neo-Assyrian Empire( 912 BC to 612 BC), which stretched from Armenia in the north to Egypt in the south, was the world’s first global power. In an earlier story, I discussed how the Assyrian Empire laid the groundwork for future world empires.
But have you ever wondered what role women played in building such a mighty realm?
In ancient Assyria, women’s lives were often confined to the roles of mothers, wives, and daughters, not very different from other societies of the era.
But what about the women who could not have children? And what opportunities did women have in Assyrian society beyond the family unit?
These are just some questions that arise when delving into the lives of women in this ancient civilization. From divorce to adoption, and even professional roles, the experiences of women in Assyria were shaped by the social norms of their time.
But there is a lot more to the stories of women from Assyria than we usually think of, like the role of immigrant women. So let’s journey back in time and explore the complexities of women’s lives in the first superpower of history.
