Goddess, priestess, queen: Six forgotten women who shaped ancient Mesopotamia

Saana Svärd was interviewed for an article in Middle East Eye highlighting significant women in ancient Mesopotamian history.

Writer and critic Farah Abdessamad tells of the many influential yet oft-forgotten women of ancient Mesopotamia. From the justice-delivering goddess Inanna to queen Puabi of Ur and archaeologist Ennigaldi, the article highlights the significance of women to arts, administration and sciences.  

Abdessamad quotes Professor Saana Svärd, a prolific expert on women and womanhood in the ancient Near East. Svärd points out that women in the ancient Near East had about the same legal rights as men did, although they appear in texts much more rarely. To read about six exemplary, significant women of the ancient Near East, check out the article