Much like the Egyptian warrior queen Hatshepsut, Semiramis took the Assyrian throne because her son was too young. Not only was it illegal within the Assyrian Empire for a woman to assume the throne, but it was viewed as ridiculous, and impossible. This speaks to how powerful and influential a woman she must have been, considering her long-lasting legacy and legendary accomplishments. She is believed to have assumed the power of the throne after her husband king Shamshi-Adad died around 811 BC. The heir to the throne, their son AdadNirari III may have been in grave danger due to his age, and to protect him from the possibility of competing elites killing him for a place on the throne, she took power. Little but folklore and legend remain of her actual achievements, but her legacy is in fact engraved in an obelisk within the city of Ashur reading, “Stele of Sammuramat, queen of Shamshi-Adad, King of the Universe, King of Assyria, Mother of Adad Nirari, King of the Universe, King of Assyria, Daughter-inLaw of Shalmaneser, King of the Four Regions of the World.” (Michael Ambuul, 2025)
Sickle Sword (Assyrian) From the Palace of Adid-Nirari. Northern Mesopotamia (1307-1275 B.C.) Bronze. Dimensions- 7.2 x 53.5 x 1.2cm. Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1911. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/322443
It would have been common during the time of Semiramis for royals and leaders to bear the finer weapons and armor during battle, and during ceremonies. Weapons and armor craftsman would have pit far more effort into the build of these items if they were for Royal Leaders, such as Semiramis, and in many cases these weapons would have even taken on different shapes than the weapons and armor of the normal soldiers. This weapon above, was found bearing the engravings of the owner’s name on both sides of the blade, as well as the non-cutting edge of the blade. The engraving says, “Palace of Adadnirari, king of the universe, son of Arik-den-ili, king of Assyria, son of Enlil-nirari, king of Assyria.” Without a doubt, this tells of this particular sword’s importance, and that it was most likely a ceremonial sword, but still, one that only someone as important as Semiramis would have carried. (Michael Ambuul, 2025)
Conical Helmet: (Assyrian) Bronze. https://web.wpi.edu/academics/me/IMDC/IQP%20Website/WAsiaFiles/800bc600bcFiles/assyrian-empire.html
Information was really difficult to find on Semiramis herself, as most of what is available is just story and legend now. The Ancient Greeks wrote their typically over-romanticized tales of her life, which are anybody’s guess at how accurate they are. The fact that we are still talking about her at all though is a testament to how important she must have been, and the influence that she had on her culture, for better or for worse. We do have a lot of information on the Assyrians and what they looked like, so using a little common sense, and some imagination, I came up with these pieces of armor and weapons as accurate guidelines for what Semiramis may have had in her possession. (Michael Ambuul, 2025)
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