August 17, 2025

Betwixt and Between: The Women of Esagil (484–90 BCE)

Key Points

Women displayed increased agency and mobility within the temple household in Late Babylonian society, marking a significant cultural shift.
The analysis focuses on expenditures recorded in the Esagil archives, emphasizing the prominence of women in these records.
Close reading of sources reveals changes in women's roles compared to earlier centuries, indicating a transformation in societal norms.
Examining socio-economic contexts provides insight into the evolving status of women during this historical period.

Abstract

Abstract In contrast to the preceding centuries, women occupy a prominent place in the Late Babylonian Esagil archives, particularly in lists recording the expenditures of allocations. A close reading of theses attestations reveals that in comparison to earlier centuries, there was more female agency and mobility within the traditional Babylonian temple household. My thesis is that these new roles for women can be explained against their wider socio-economic background.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

Cite This Study

Céline Debourse (Wed,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/68a36c360a429f797333074b https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1515/za-2025-0005

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark