The Female Alexander the Great?

Semiramis: Mighty Assyrian Queen and Mythical Ruler

Dear Classical Wisdom Reader,

How does history move? What propels it? How are the pages written? It’s an age-old question we often ponder. 

Are individuals, like tug boats leading a cruise, dragging the world’s movements behind? Or does the wave of life, like barges on the sea, carry a few rowboats behind in its famous wake?

Today we’ll look at two such individuals and consider how their actions and influence was in contrast to their times and what this means to how history happens.

First, our Classical Wisdom Webinar with professor Philip Freeman takes place in 30 minutes! We’ll delve into the history of Julian, Rome’s last pagan Emperor. Known as both a philosopher and an apostate, his rule was short... and yet impactful. If you haven’t registered already, do so here:

Next (or first depending on when you read our missive), Classical Wisdom Members can enjoy this week’s in depth article covering the fascinating history and legend of a mighty Assyrian Queen - one who has been compared to Alexander the Great. 

Read on and decide for yourself… how did she shape history? And how has history shaped her? 

Enjoy!

All the best,
Anya Leonard

Founder and Director
Classical Wisdom

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Semiramis: Mighty Assyrian Queen and Mythical Ruler

By Edward Whelan

There are two Semiramis, one based on a flesh and blood monarch and the other a colorful mythical figure who inspired great works of literature and art. To fully understand the story and legend it is necessary to appreciate the elusive historical personage... as well as the legendary figure. Knowledge of the historical Queen allows an insight into the mighty Neo-Assyrian Empire while that of the mythical female monarch helps us comprehend male attitudes to powerful females throughout time. 

Combined we can come to understand one of the most remarkable figures in the history and mythology of the Ancient World: Semiramis.

But let’s begin with the ‘real’ version…

Semiramis Building Babylon (1861) by Edgar Degas

The Historical Background to the 'Real 'Semiramis

The story of Semiramis dates back over 2500 years to the 8th century BC. Definite proof that the mythological story was based on a historical figure was actually only established in the early years of the 20th century by a German scholar...and at that, almost all the factual evidence that we have of her comes from four archaeological discoveries made in the Middle East. 

So what do we know? Semiramis was modeled on a real female ruler by the name of Sammu-ramat who lived during the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Assyria was initially a city-state that had been dominated by foreign powers, but during the period  c. 1363–912 BC, it became the dominant power in the Fertile Crescent.

While the first Assyrian Empire developed the first professional army and became notorious for their cruelty, it eventually fell and for many centuries Assyria was a minor state. Under Ashurbanipal II (r. 883–859 BC), it became a mighty power once again, described by modern scholars as the Neo-Assyrian Empire. It was further expanded under his son Shalmaneser III (r. 859–824 BC) and stretched from the deserts of modern Egypt to the snowy peaks of the Caucasus Mountain range.  

Shalmaneser the Third's son, Shamshi-Adad V, reigned from 823 to 811 B.C. and one of his wives was Sammu-ramat (Semiramis), which could have meant 'High Heaven' in Phoenician. It has been suggested that she may have been either Babylonian or Lydian and wed the future monarch as part of a dynastic marriage to cement some political alliance.

There is also a suggestion, based on another interpretation of her name, that she was named after Ishtar the goddess of love and was most likely a member of the Assyrian elite. This is all that can be inferred about the early years of the future powerbroker…  

Adad-nirari III (r. 811–783 BC)

The Rise of Queen Semiramis (Sammu-ramat)