Puduḫepa ( Puduḫepa, Pudu-Kheb ) takes her job as Queen seriously. In the 13th century BCE she rules beside her husband, Hattusili III, influences decisions and is famed for diplomacy. She becomes one of the greatest women of the ancient world.
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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.
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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.
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The Hittite lands border those of the Egyptians, meeting at Kadesh, 1274 BCE. 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.
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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).
The 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.
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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.
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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.
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Puduḫepa arranges marriages for her children to strengthen the Hittite Empire. At the time, wedding for love is rare, almost nonexistent for royals. It's the first time a Queen shows the power to arrange marriages.
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 Nefertari).
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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 deific 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. 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.
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In general 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 work as artisan weavers or innkeepers. The independence of women can vary between cultures.
After the death of her husband, Puduhepa's son Tudhaliya IV takes the throne. He has two sons. They are 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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She corresponds with Nefertari, wife of Ramesses II of Egypt, who herself is known as one of the greatest Egyptian Queens. 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 arrived.
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.’
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