Puduḫepa ( Puduḫepa, Pudu-Kheb ) is one of the greatest women of the ancient world. In the 13th century BCE she rules beside her husband, Hattusili III of the powerful Hittites. She opens institutions such as scribe houses, influences decisions and is famed for diplomacy.
Young and unsure when she first meets the military general who would later become King of the Hittite Empire, she's determined to fill her role with wisdom and courage. She soon finds her place among the society and administration of the court.
She grows up in Kizzuwatna, a kingdom of southern Anatolia, in the early 13th century BCE. The patron deity of her home town Lawazantiya is the goddess Shaushka, and her father is a priest at the temple. Puduḫepa becomes a priestess.
In 1274 BCE, the Hittites and Egyptians are fierce rivals for the trade town of Kadesh in the Levant. The Battle of Kadesh almost sees the end of the Egyptian Ramesses II, who with some of his men are trapped.
Ramesses rallies, charges through surrounding Hittite forces, and escapes. The battle is notable for its scale and record-breaking number of chariots used.
Although the battle has an indecisive outcome Ramesses erects victory stele proclaiming his decisive win. Several years later, Queen Puduhepa will establish a pact of peace between Egypt and the Hittites, the first peace treaty in known history.
Returning from the Battle of Kadesh, the general Hattusili sees Puduḫepa, a priestess at the temple of Shaushka. Shaushka is the Hurrian name equivalent his patron goddess, Ishtar (Inanna).
Goddess Ishtar appears to Hattusili in a vision, saying he will find happiness with Puduhepa as his wife. Although Puduḫepa is much younger than he, her family encourages the match. She accompanies him back to his kingdom.
Hattusili, once a bull with the ladies, now turns all his attentions to Puduḫepa. She is the only woman in his life. When Hattusili defeats his nephew, King of the Hittite lands, in a rebellious uprising in 1267 BCE, he becomes the royal ruler.
At his side Puduhepa is Queen, or tawananna. She is often beside him, for political events, announcements, decisions and judgments. They are considered to rule together, hand in hand.
Puduhepa has her own royal seal and responsibilities. She controls the domestic aspects of the palaces, and also serves as a judge in legal matters.
Puduḫepa arranges marriages for her children to strengthen the Hittite Empire. At the time, wedding for love is rare, nonexistent for royals. It's very rare for a Queen to have the power of arranging marriages.
Hattusili has bouts of sickness, and during these times Puduhepa takes his place. He's been prone to illness since he was a child, and in fact was not expected to become an adult, let alone KIng of the Hittites. In his times of weakness, she is always a reliable force.
Her diplomacy and connections with the Egyptian rulers keeps the lands of the Hittites and Egypt at peace. She sends both her daughters as wives to Ramesses II (altogether he has seven, including his favorite, Nefertari).
Puduḫepa also groups and organizes the extensive God lists and pantheon hierarchies associated with religious rites and offerings. There are thousands, so it's not an easy job. Gods and Goddesses have consorts, companions, servants, sukkals and family members.
Each fits into a hierarchy with a list of appropriate incantations and sacrificial offerings. Many scribes are employed to write legibly on clay tablets. In Hittite society women regularly work outside the home if they want.
Jobs held by women in the ancient world include those of priestess, doctor (doctoress) and scribe. Puduhepa makes sure the myths and lore of her Hurrian background are not ignored. She introduces deities and translates their stories into the Hittite language.
Women have autonomy within marriage, family and business in ancient Anatolia. A woman can own, buy or sell slaves, or run her own business. Some women also work as artisan weavers or innkeepers.
Puduhepa corresponds with Nefertari, wife of Ramesses II of Egypt, who herself is known as one of the greatest Egyptian women. Nefertari sends her gifts, and in a letter of friendship praises the "Queen of the Hatti land" (the Hittite territories are called Land of the Hatti, after the people living there when the Hittites move in).
Translation:
The great Queen Naptera (Nefertari) of the land of Egypt speaks thus: ʻSpeak to my sister Puduḫepa, the Great Queen of the Hatti land. I, your sister, (also) be well!! May your country be well. Now, I have learned that you, my sister, have written to me asking after my health.
You have written to me because of the good friendship and brotherly relationship between your brother, the king of Egypt, The Great and the Storm God will bring about peace, and he will make the brotherly relationship between the Egyptian king, the Great King, and his brother, the Hatti King, the Great King, last for ever...
See, I have sent you a gift, in order to greet you, my sister... for your neck (a necklace) of pure gold, composed of 12 bands and weighing 88 shekels, colored linen maklalu-material, for one royal dress for the king... A total of 12 linen garments.’
After the death of her husband in 1236 BCE, Puduhepa's son Tudhaliya IV takes the throne. He has two sons, the last two Kings of the Hittites before the empire collapses c. 1180 BCE. With the ascension of Tudhaliya, Puduḫepa rises to the rank of Goddess-Queen.
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