Harvard Semitic Philology Workshop: The Tale of Šišaḫšušar

• published: 26 Mar 2015
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Living in Kaneš and separated from her husband in Aššur, Aššur-nādā's second wife Šišahšušar presents us with a short narrative which is as intriguing as it is allusive. In a quantitative SNA study of 2,000 Old Assyrian letters, we direct our attention to a dozen textual references of this one individual, and in doing so, we are thrust into the challenging world of venture capitalism in the Bronze Age (ca. 1850 BCE) from the perspective of this lesser-known female. Then, expanding from her immediate social network outward, we will learn about Šišahšušar’s position and membership in the trade colony, and see the crucial role that women in Anatolia played for the numerous business ventures in the colony. Lastly, we then expand our view once again in order to briefly discuss the overall role that the local Anatolians play in this fantastic collection of cuneiform tablets. Works cited: Barjamovic, G. 2011. A Historical Geography of Ancient Anatolia in the Assyrian Colony Period. Garelli, P. 1963. Les Assyriens en Cappadoce. Hertel, T. K. 2014. “The Lower Town at Kültepe/Kanesh: The Urban Layout and the Population”. In Current Research at Kültepe/Kanesh. JCSS 4. Kulakoǧlu, F. ed. 2011. Anatolia's Prologue: Kültepe Kanesh Karum. Larsen, M. The Aššur-nādā Archive. OAA 1 (Including translations). Larsen, M. & A. Lassen. 2014. "Cultural Exchange at Kültepe." In Extraction & Control. Lavoie, A. 2007. "Ulrich explains that well-behaved women should make history." In Harvard Gazette, September 20. (http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2007/09/ulrich-explains-that-well-behaved-women-should-make-history/) Michel, C. ed. 2014. Wool Economy in the Ancient Near East and the Aegean. Michel, C. 2008. "Les Assyriens et leurs Femmes Anatoliennes." In PIHANS 111. Pagdett, J. & C. Ansell. 1993. "Robust Action and the Rise of the Medici, 1400-1434." AJS 98. Music: Andrew Bird "Ethiobirds." Echolocations: Canyon. 2015. Andrew Bird "Groping in the Dark." Echolocations: Canyon. 2015. Andrew Bird "Scythian Empire." Fingerlings 3. 2006. Andrew Bird "Sweep the Field." Echolocations: Canyon. 2015.