Abstract

Representations of mortals in Mesopotamia include both historical individuals and unspecified people. Historical individuals, who may be named in captions or inscriptions on or next to their image, were the elite representing power, whereas unspecified people comprise their workforce, soldiers, and captives. This contribution will be concerned with historical, “real” people. A relatively large number of images of elite women, including queens and high priestesses, have come down to us from third-millennium bce Mesopotamia. Before examining them, a few words are needed about these women’s positions in society and images in ancient Mesopotamia.