Women in the Ancient Near East: A Sourcebook

Book Details

• Author: Mark W. Chavalas

• Publisher: Routledge

• Language: English

• Edition: 1st

• ISBN: 9780415448567

• Pages: 319

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches

• Weight: Not specified

About the Book

Women in the Ancient Near East by Mark W. Chavalas is an essential resource for scholars, students, and readers interested in the roles, representations, and realities of women in some of the world’s earliest civilizations. Spanning over two millennia—from the third millennium BC to the sixth century BC—this carefully curated collection of primary sources sheds light on the complex social, political, and spiritual roles that women played in Mesopotamian and Near Eastern societies.

Going far beyond mere identification of women in historical texts, this volume places them in rich historical and literary contexts, using the most recent academic research to reframe how we understand gender and society in the ancient world. The book includes a wide range of literary and historical genres, such as:

• Myths and epics

• Proverbs and wisdom literature

• Medical and legal texts

• Personal and diplomatic letters

• Treaties and administrative documents

• Dedicatory and funerary inscriptions

Each text is accompanied by scholarly commentary and context, offering readers a comprehensive view of women's lived experiences, cultural significance, and evolving roles in ancient societies. The volume also addresses key themes such as power, family, religion, labor, and law, making it a crucial addition to the study of both ancient history and women’s studies.

Whether you’re a historian of the ancient Near East or someone fascinated by early civilizations and gender roles, Women in the Ancient Near East provides the primary sources and interpretive tools needed to explore this dynamic and often overlooked aspect of antiquity.