Queens of the Arabs
Did you know that Arab tribes in the 8th-7th century BCE were led by women? While this is not evidence of wider matriarchy, it certainly rocks my priors. Arab women were once revered as leaders.
How do we know?
Assyrian royal inscriptions refer to nine āQueens of the Arabsā.
Arab Queens are referenced by multiple sources, details Assyriologist Ellie Bennett. Their activities are detailed in both palace architecture and stelae.
Were these just royal wives?
No.
Queens of the Arabs are always referred to as āÅ”arratuā, writes Ellie Bennet. Assyrians otherwise reserved this term for goddesses. Assyrians did not use it to refer to their own royal women. Assyrians used the term to denote the Queensā superlative authority, as āfemale kingsā.
Adiye is the only Queen of the Arabs described as married. The others were not described as spouses. They exercised power independently.
Queen Samsi is explicitly described as leading a military campaign against the Assyrians. Other queens were likewise described as militant.