Women in ancient Mesopotamia

Women in ancient Mesopotamia held varied roles depending on their social status, time period, and city-state. They could own property, engage in trade, and inherit assets, indicating some legal rights. Many women worked as artisans, priestesses, or entrepreneurs, especially in cities like Ur and Babylon. However, they generally had fewer legal privileges than men and were primarily expected to focus on family and domestic duties. Laws, such as the Code of Hammurabi, reflected societal expectations, regulating issues like marriage and inheritance. Overall, Mesopotamian women experienced a structured but evolving social landscape that allowed for significant, though limited, agency within their society.