Betwixt and Between: The Women of Esagil (484–90 BCE)

Abstract In contrast to the preceding centuries, women occupy a prominent place in the Late Babylonian Esagil archives, particularly in lists recording the expenditures of allocations. A close reading of theses attestations reveals that in comparison to earlier centuries, there was more female agency and mobility within the traditional Babylonian temple household. My thesis is that these new roles for women can be explained against their wider socio-economic background.