ABSTRACT
The majority of women in the ancient Orient have left no trace in the historical records. They remained nameless and unnamed. Exceptions that escaped anonymity are mostly of a notorious kind. To the qualities that guaranteed a number of these women a place in history belong love of intrigue, artful and treacherous seductiveness, cruelty and even murderousness. These qualities are closely associated with the 'unwholesome atmosphere of the harem', supposedly typical for oriental societies. From this secluded place in life these women apparently managed to obtain control over the men in power and to influence decisions that in turn affected the well-being of entire nations or empires.
