Queen of the Hittite kingdom in Asia Minor and priestess, Puduhepa (XIII th century BC. JC) reigned for sixty-six years and exercised a major political and religious role. She is considered one of the most influential women of the ancient Near East.
The Hittite Empire
Puduhepa was born at the beginning of the 13 th century BC. JC in the city of Lawazantiya in Kizzuwatna, a kingdom of Asia Minor integrated into the Hittite empire for about two centuries. Then led by King Mursili II, the Hittites dominated Asia Minor and were one of the most important kingdoms in the Middle East, rivaling neighboring powers such as ancient Egypt or Assyria.
Puduhepa's father, Bentepsharri, is high priest of the tutelary goddess of the city of Lawazantiya, Ishtar. Goddess of love and war, Ishtar is one of the most important deities of the region and corresponds to Inanna, goddess of Sumerian mythology to whom the priestess Enheduanna dedicated her hymns ten centuries earlier. Following her father, Puduhepa becomes a priestess of Ishtar in her turn.
"On the vast and silent plain, darkening the light of day, she turns the zenith into darkness. People look at each other angrily and seek the fight. Their cries disturb the plain, weighing on the pastures and barren lands. His howl is like that of Iškur and shakes all the lands. No one can stand against his murderous rage – who can match it? »
The valiant goddess, hymn to Inanna of Enheduanna
Queen of the Hittites
At the time of Puduhepa, the Hittite empire maintained a conflicting relationship with the Egyptian empire of Ramses II, the two powers notably disputing Syria. The conflict peaked around 1274 BC. JC, when the battle of Kadesh opposes the army of Ramses II and that of King Muwatalli II. The fight ends without leaving a clear winner and peace eventually returns between the two kingdoms.
After the battle, Puduhepa meets Hattushili III, a general of the Hittite army who distinguished himself in battle, high priest of the goddess Shaushga, presumably a younger brother of the king and much older than her. Ishtar would then have ordered the general, already married and a father, to take Puduhepa as his wife. Quickly, she becomes his first wife.
On the death of Muwatalli II, his son Urhi-Teshub becomes king under the name of Mursili III. Bad strategist, the latter loses territories conquered by the Assyrians, while Hattushili multiplies the military victories. When the king withdraws territories from his uncle, he declares war on him. On the strength of his military successes, Hattushili forges alliances, overthrows his nephew and takes the throne. Puduhepa then becomes the queen of the Hittites.
A powerful queen
Puduhepa becomes a major political figure in the region. She reigns hand in hand with her husband, participating with him in the most important decisions. It has its personal seal, used to record its own decrees, in particular for court decisions. Puduhepa also plays an important role in foreign policy and diplomacy. She corresponded in particular with Ramses II, with whom she negotiated marriages with two of his daughters, as well as with the great royal wife Nefertari.
“The great queen Nefertari of the kingdom of Egypt speaks thus:‘To my sister Puduḫepa, the great queen of the Hittite empire. I, your sister, am well! May your country be well. I have learned that you, my sister, have written to me to inquire about my health. You wrote to me because of the friendship and brotherly relations between your brother, the king of Egypt, the Great, the God of the Storm, who will establish peace and brotherhood between the king of Egypt and his brother , the Hittite King, the Great King, forever…I send you a gift to greet you, my sister…for your neck, (a necklace) of pure gold, consisting of 12 bands…” (Letter from Nefertari to Puduhepa)
Priestess
Puduhepa forged alliances with neighboring powers by negotiating marriages for his many children, notably his daughter Maâthornéferourê. After the death of her husband, she continues to play an important role as queen mother to her son and new king Tudhaliya IV.
Priestess as much as queen, Puduhepa works to organize the Hittite pantheon and writes prayers to different deities. She thus leaves religious hymns dedicated to the goddess Lelwani, queen of the underworld, as well as to the sun goddess of the city of Arinna, the main goddess of the Hittite pantheon.
Puduhepa dies around the age of 90; she would thus have reigned for about 66 years.
Useful links
Puduhepa Wikipedia page
Puduhepa Wikipedia page in English
Puduhepa – Great Queen of the Hittites