1.1 Seal of Uzi-šugab, British Museum, London (BM 89015). © The Trustees of the British Museum 2
1.2 Ancient Near East in the second half of the second millennium BCE. Map prepared by the author 10
2.1 Stele of Naram-Sîn, Louvre Museum, Paris (AS 6065). © RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, NY 36
2.2 Code of Hammurabi, Louvre Museum, Paris (AS 6064). © RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, NY 37
2.3 Seal of Tunamisah, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (74.51.4301). Art object in public domain 39
3.1 The kudurru of the Kassite king Meli-Šipak and his daughter Hunnubat-Nannaja, Louvre Museum, Paris (SB 23). © Erich Lessing / Art Resource, NY 46
3.2 Seal of Manbaši, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (1999.325.61). Art object in public domain 50
3.3 Seal of Uballissu-Marduk, accountant of Kurigalzu I or II, British Museum, London (BM 114704). Drawing by the author 50
3.4 Seal of Kidin-Marduk, eunuch of Burna-Buriaš, Archaeological Museum of Thebes, Thebes. Drawing by the author 52
3.5 Seal of Uballissu-Marduk, administrator (?) of Kurigalzu I or II, British Museum, London (BM 122696). Drawing by the author 52
3.6 Seal of Ili-rabi, eunuch of Kurigalzu I or II, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia (UM 43-29-121, Sor 1428). Courtesy of the Penn Museum 60
3.7 Seal of Ša-ilimma-damqa, British Museum, London (BM 89128). © The Trustees of the British Museum 63
3.8 Seal of Ša-Lamassi-damqa, British Museum, London (BM 130697). © The Trustees of the British Museum 65
3.9 Seal of the physician Sîn-nadin-aḫḫi, Yale Babylonian Collection, New Haven (NBC 3171). Photo by Carl Kaufman; courtesy of the Yale Babylonian Collection 65
3.10 Seal of Šumman-la-Sîn, purification/incantation priest of Sîn, Baghdad Museum (?), Baghdad. Drawing after Hrouda 1981, 79 and 100, no. 50 67
3.11 Seal impression of Rimutu on clay tablets, administrator of the Enlil temple in Nippur, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia (CBS 3337, CBS 3349, CBS 6079, CBS 6080, CBS 6081?, CBS 6090, CBS 6635, CBS 6649, CBS 7261, CBS 7788, CBS 8559, CBS 8657, CBS 9514, CBS 9517?, CBS 9898, CBS 10250, CBS 10254, CBS 10981, CBS 11467, CBS 13352, CBS 13370, UM 29-13-251, UM 29-13-946, UM 29-15-38a, UM 29-15-54, UM 29-15-154, UM 29-16-178, UM 29-15-685, UM 29-15-713, UM 29-16-378, UM 29-16-593, UM 29-16-698). Drawing by the author 84
3.12 Images on Babylonian womenâs seals with female protagonists: (a) seal of Uruk-Ramat; (b) seal impression of Taribatum on clay tablet; (c) seal of Zakirum; (d) seal of Raimtum; (e) seal of Nanaya; (f) seal of SiÌn-abusÌa; (g) seal of Narubtum. 3.12a, b, e drawing by the author; 3.12c drawing after Collon 2005, no. 245; 3.12d drawing after Ward 1910, no. 533; 3.12f drawing after Rawn 1960, no. 85; 3.12g drawing after Ward 1910, no. 536 88
3.13 Images on Babylonian womenâs seals with male protagonists: (a) seal of UsÌsÌurtum; (b) seal of Narubtum; and (c) seal of Naramtum. 3.13a drawing after De Clercq 1888, no. 262; 3.13b, c drawing by the author 90
3.14 Seal of Šamaš-remanni, eunuch of Kurigalzu I or II, Yale Babylonian Collection, New Haven (NCBS 662). Drawing by the author 92
3.15 Seal of Kidin-Marduk, eunuch of Burna-Buriaš, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VA 3869). Drawing by the author 92
3.16 Seal of Adad-ušabši, eunuch of Burna-Buriaš, Biblical Land Museum, Jerusalem. Drawing after Elizabeth Williams-Forte in Muscarella 1981, no. 77 93
3.17 Seal of Sîn-aḫu-eriš, cultic singer of Marduk, Louvre Museum, Paris (AO 22334). Drawing after De Clercq 1888, no. 264 99
3.18 Seal of Terimanni, cultic performer (assinnu) or eunuch servant (tīru) of Ištar, Louvre Museum, Paris (AOD 105). Drawing by the author 99
3.19 Seal of Duri-Ulmaš, governor of Dur-Kurigalzu, Louvre Museum, Paris (AO 4456). Drawing by the author 110
3.20 Seal of the diviner Duri-E-Ulmaš, British Museum, London (BM 28799). Drawing by the author 110
3.21 Seal impression of Enlil-alša on clay tablets, prelate of Enlil, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia (CBS 3818?, CBS 7160, CBS 7188, and numerous other tablet fragments). Drawing by the author 114
3.22 Seal of Meli-Å ipak, administrator at the temple of Ninmah, Archaeological Museum of Thebes, Thebes. Drawing by the author 114
3.23 Seal of the diviner Mannu-gir-Marduk, The Morgan Library and Museum, New York (Morgan Seal 575). © The Morgan Library and Museum 118
3.24 Seal of Iriba-Adad, Louvre Museum, Paris (AO 22331). Drawing by the author 118
4.1 Anonymous seal from Assyria, The Morgan Library and Museum, New York (Morgan Seal 601). © The Morgan Library and Museum 124
4.2 Cult pedestal of Tukulti-Ninurta I, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VA 8146). Photo by Olaf M. TeÃmer; © Staatliche Museen zu BerlinâVorderasiatisches Museum 125
4.3 Seal impression of Laqipu on clay tablets, the governor of Amasakki, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VAT 9662, 15473). Drawing after Moortgat 1944, Abb. 46 127
4.4 Seal impression of Sîn-zera-iddina on clay tablet, the governor of Talmušše, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VAT 15468). Drawing after Freydank and Feller 2004, Siegel 4 128
4.5 Seal impression of the king Eriba-Adad on clay tablet, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VAT 8921, 9009). Drawing after Beran 1957, Abb. 2 130
4.6 Seal impression of the king AÅ¡Å¡ur-uballiá¹ on clay tablets, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VAT 8790, 8945). Drawing after Beran 1957, Abb. 17 131
4.7 Seal impression of AÅ¡Å¡ur-iddin on bullae, a vizier of Shalmaneser I and Tukulti-Ninurta I, current locations unknown. Image reproduced from Bonatz 2021, 14, M.As 1; courtesy of Dominik Bonatz 131
4.8 Seal impression of Uṣṣabit-ili on clay tablet, eunuch of Tukulti-Ninurta I, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VAT 18076). Drawing after Fischer 1999, Abb. 25 133
4.9 Seal of the scribe AsÌsÌur-sÌumi-aá¹£bat, private collection. Drawing by Marissa Mohammed based on Amiet and Dossin 1968, fig. 1 138
4.10 Seal impression of AÅ¡Å¡ur-ketti-Å¡eá¹£i on clay tablet, the governor of AÅ¡Å¡ur, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VAT 15490aâb). Drawing after Freydank and Feller 2005, Siegel 1 145
4.11 Seal impression of Babu-aḫa-iddina on clay tablet, the grand vizier of Shalmaneser I and Tukulti-Ninurta I, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VAT 12993). Drawing after Moortgat 1942, Abb. 21aâc 150
4.12 Seal of the cupbearer Balu-ili, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (41.160.192). Art object in public domain 150
4.13 Drawings of (a) the obverse and (b) reverse of the ivory comb from Tomb 75 in AÅ¡Å¡ur, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VA Ass 1097). Drawing reproduced from Pedde 2015, Tafel 58, no. 105; courtesy of Friedhelm Pedde and Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft 159
4.14 Seal of the military official Aššur-remanni, Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris (Delaporte 307). Drawing by the author 160
4.15 Seal impression of Muttâ on clay tablets, eunuch of Ninurta-tukulti-AÅ¡Å¡ur, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VAT 9316) and Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Istanbul (A-113). Drawing after Donbaz 1976, Levha 23â25 164
4.16 Seal impression of an anonymous eunuch of Tukulti-Ninurta I on clay tablet, Baghdad Museum, Baghdad (Ass.2001.D-1500+1515). Drawing after Fischer 2010, Abb. 1 and 8 167
4.17 Seal impression of Uá¹£ur-namkur-Å¡arri on clay tablet, eunuch of Tukulti-Ninurta I and the governor of Kar-Tukulti-Ninurta, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VAT 18017). Drawing after Moortgat-Correns 1964, Abb. 2 169
4.18 Seal impression of Tab-⦠on clay tablet, âsoldier of the king,â Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin (VAT 8702). Drawing after Freydank and Feller 2007, Siegel 21 171
4.19 Seal impression of the tax collector Lullaju on clay tablet, Baghdad Museum, Baghdad (TR 3019). Drawing by Marissa Mohammed based on Parker 1974, 267, no. 41 173
4.20 Seal impression of the specialty cook Tedu on clay tablet, Baghdad Museum, Baghdad (33-58-70, Bi 29). Drawing after Matthews 1991, 30, no. 30 175
5.1 Cylinder seal of Saza from Carchemish, Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Istanbul. Drawing after UzunoÄlu 1986, ill. 7â3 182
5.2 Impression of a version of the dynastic seal of Emar on clay tablets, Aleppo Museum, Aleppo (numerous tablets). Drawing reproduced from Beyer 2001, E2a, 208; courtesy of Dominique Beyer 183
5.3 Impression of the dynastic seal of Amurru on clay tablets, Damascus Museum, Damascus (Rs. 17.372). Drawing after Schaeffer 1956, 35, fig. 46 184
5.4 Seal impression of Mutri-TeÅ¡Å¡ub on clay tablets, âoverseer of the land,â Aleppo Museum, Aleppo (Msk. 73.1093). Drawing reproduced from Beyer 2001, 161â62, C20; courtesy of Dominique Beyer 186
5.5 Seal impression of Taprammi on clay tablet, chief eunuch of the palace in Hattuša, Damascus Museum, Damascus (Rs. 17.231). Drawing after Schaeffer 1956, 55, fig. 76 187
5.6 Cylinder seal of the cupbearer Ihakusa, Yale Babylonian Collection, New Haven (YBC 16575). Drawing reproduced from Beckman 1981, 130, Fig. 1; courtesy of Gary Beckman 188
5.7 Seal impression of Matkali-Dagan on clay tablet, the chief charioteer, Aleppo Museum, Aleppo (Msk. 74.742). Drawing reproduced from Beyer 2001, 69, A34; courtesy of Dominique Beyer 189
5.8 Impression of the first cylinder seal of Ini-Teššub on clay tablets, king of Carchemish, Damascus and Aleppo Museums, Syria (Rs. 17.128, Msk. 73.1026, Msk. 73.58). Drawing after Schaeffer 1956, 23, fig. 30 194
5.9 Impression of the second cylinder seal of Ini-Teššub on clay tablets, king of Carchemish, Damascus and Aleppo Museums, Syria (Rs. 17.59, Msk. 73.1025). Drawing after Schaeffer 1956, 24, fig. 32 195
5.10 Seal impression of Amanmašu on clay tablet, court official, Damascus Museum, Damascus (Rs. 17.28). Drawing after Schaeffer 1956, 50, fig. 68 196
5.11 Seal impression of the scribe Abi-kapi on clay tablet, Aleppo Museum, Aleppo (Msk. 73.1005, 73.1039). Drawing reproduced from Beyer 2001, 213, E 9; courtesy of Dominique Beyer 199
5.12 Seal impression of the apprentice diviner Ribi-Dagan on clay tablet, Aleppo Museum, Aleppo (Msk. 73.1030). Drawing reproduced from Beyer 2001, 261â62, F 16; courtesy of Dominique Beyer 200
5.13 Seal impression of dNIN.URTA on clay tablets, Aleppo Museum, Aleppo (numerous tablets). Drawing reproduced from Beyer 2001, 206, E1a; courtesy of Dominique Beyer 204
5.14 Seal impression of the cupbearer Ehli-Kuša on clay tablet, Aleppo Museum (Msk. 75.9). Drawing reproduced from Beyer 2001, 82, A59; courtesy of Dominique Beyer 209
5.15 Seal impression of Šaušgamuwa on clay tablet, the king of Amurru, Damascus Museum, Damascus (Rs. 17.372). Drawing after Schaeffer 1956, 33, fig. 41 212
5.16 Cylinder seal of Annipi, king of Sidon, Louvre Museum, Paris (AO 22362). Drawing by the author 213
5.17 Impressions of the seals that belonged to women from Emar and Til-Abnu, on clay tablets: (a) seal of AÅ¡da-ahi; (b) seal of Dagan-Zimir; (c) seal of Babali; (d) seal of WaÅ¡ti; (e) joint seal of WaÅ¡ti and Piha-Tarhunda; (f) seal of the priestess Zippilumsa. 5.17aâe reproduced from Beyer 2001, C9, C8, A67, C22, A75, courtesy of Dominique Beyer; 5.17f reproduced from Archi 1993, fig. 1, courtesy of Alfonso Archi 218
5.18 Cylinder seal of the cupbearer Nupamti, Yale Babylonian Collection, New Haven (NBC 11031). Drawing after Buchanan 1967, no. 1aâb 227