Semiramis

Semiramis (pronounced /səˈmɪrəmɪs/, /sɪˈmɪrəmɪs/, or /sɛˈmɪrəmɪs/) was a legendary Lydian-Babylonian queen known in various languages as Šammīrām (Syriac), Šamiram (Armenian), Σεμίραμις (Greek), and Samīrāmīs (Arabic). According to traditional accounts, she was first the wife of Onnes before marrying King Ninus, whom she eventually succeeded as ruler of Assyria, as recorded by Movses Khorenatsi. The legends surrounding her were primarily documented by Diodorus Siculus, who drew from the works of Ctesias of Cnidus.

The name remains culturally significant, as Armenians and Assyrians from Iraq, northeast Syria, southeast Turkey, and northwest Iran continue to use "Shamiram" and its derivative "Samira" as given names for girls.

Behind the legendary figure stands the historical Shammuramat (the original Akkadian form of the name), who was the wife of Assyrian king Shamshi-Adad V (ruled 824–811 BC). She served as regent of the Neo-Assyrian Empire for five years until her son Adad-nirari III came of age. Her rule during a period of political instability may explain why the traditionally patriarchal Assyrian society accepted female leadership. During her regency, she conquered significant portions of the Middle East and Levant while strengthening and stabilizing the empire following a devastating civil war. Scholars suggest that her exceptional success as a female ruler may have inspired particular reverence among Assyrians, with her achievements growing into legend over generations.

The name Semiramis became attached to numerous monuments throughout Western Asia and Anatolia whose origins had been forgotten, including even the Behistun Inscription created by Darius. Herodotus attributed to her the artificial banks controlling the Euphrates River and noted her name inscribed on a gate of Babylon. Her legacy is reflected in place names throughout Mesopotamia, Media, Persia, the Levant, Anatolia, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Caucasus region.