#scarce sources for the Seleukids during that time | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

wishesofeternity · 6 months ago

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"Stratonike evidently retained the Akkadian royal title used for her even after [her husband] Antiochos’ death, since the astronomical diary entry identifies her as šarratu, in logograms GAŠAN, which means “queen.” In earlier centuries under previous regimes this title could not be used of a royal woman unless she also ruled. As suggestive as this is, there is no direct corroborating evidence for Stratonike exercising rulership, unless we credit her influence with her children as a form of political dominance. The trope of the domineering dowager queen mother should be familiar enough from interpretations of other royal families throughout history. But the diary, normally fairly precise in noting royal family connections, does not call her “mother [or widow] of the king,” meaning that at least some people remembered Stratonike as a queenly figure on her own, without reference to male relatives. This is an interesting hint at how these royal women could carry out their duties so as to be regarded as individual rulers in their own right."

-Gillian Ramsey, "Apama and Stratonike: The first Seleukid basilissai," "The Routledge Companion to Women and Monarchy in the Ancient Mediterranean World" (edited by Elizabeth D. Carney and Sabine Müller)

#historicwomendaily #stratonike #ancient history #hellenistic period #history #mine #It's so fascinating to compare the power and importance that the Babylonian astronomical diary gives her #with the way she's framed as a passive romantic figure and love interest by later classical writers #The contrast is striking #speaking of which:#I remember reading Elizabeth D. Carney's book 'Women and Monarchy in Macedonia'#where she spoke about Stratonike identifying with her birth family rather than her husbands as Basilissa #and speculates that it was because she had more influence with her brother than her husband and son #and also that there is no evidence of her playing any role in her husband or son's reigns #which is bizarre to me because it's...obviously not true. It's a conclusion drawn from silence without considering our terribly #scarce sources for the Seleukids during that time #But the evidence that we do have - especially this unusual reference in the astronomical diary - clearly indicates the OPPOSITE #Stratonike's specific identity as Basilissa certainly does not indicate her lack of influence - instead it indicates her autonomy and agenc #And while we lack hard evidence of her activities what this Babylonian reference indicates #She conducted a indivudual ruler in her own right #We lack evidence.#The lack of hard evidence of Stratonike's activities as queen & dowager certainly does not indicate that she had 'no role' during that time #instead this Babylonian reference indicates that not only was her political role considerable but that it was more akin to an individual #ruler in her own right #which is absolutely fascinating #It's just unfortunate that we lack specific evidence for her activities :(

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