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Semiramis, Queen

Semiramis, Queen, is the Greek name for the Assyrian queen Sammuramat. Her accomplishments are said to have been founding Babylon, building the famous Hanging Gardens, the conquest of the entire Middle East, and invading Kush and India. It seems she allowed her consorts only minimal or no involvement in government; she was considered a daughter of the goddess and made her son king. Some said she castrated the males of her royal household, which suggests that she was a goddess whose temples were served by eunuch priests. Like most Assyro-Babylonian queens she embodied the spirit of Mari-Ishtar
. A.G.H.

Sources

Walker, Barbara G. The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets. New York, HarperCollins, 1983. p. 902