Teʾelḫunu facts for kids

Teʾelḫunu was a powerful queen who ruled the Qedar people around 690 BCE. The Qedar were ancient Arab tribes who lived in the desert regions of the Near East. Queen Teʾelḫunu was a leader of these nomadic groups. She followed Queen Yatie and was later succeeded by Queen Tabua.

Teʾelḫunu was one of six important Arab queens mentioned in ancient Assyrian records. These records tell us about queens like Zabibe, Samsi, Yatie, Teʾelḫunu, Tabua, and Adia. Besides being a ruler, Teʾelḫunu was also known as an apkal-latu, which means she was a priestess for her people. This shows she had both political and religious power.

Who Was Queen Teʾelḫunu?

Teʾelḫunu was a queen of the Qedar, a group of Arab tribes. They lived in the desert areas of what is now the Middle East. These tribes were often nomadic, meaning they moved from place to place. Teʾelḫunu ruled during the 7th century BCE, a time when the powerful Assyrian Empire was very strong.

Her Role as a Priestess

Ancient texts from the Assyrians describe Teʾelḫunu as an apkal-latu. This special title meant she was a priestess. In ancient times, leaders often had religious duties as well as political ones. Being a priestess meant she played an important role in the spiritual life of her people.

Conflict with the Assyrian Empire

The Assyrian Empire was a very large and powerful kingdom. It often tried to control its neighbors. Around 690 BCE, the Assyrians, led by their king Sennacherib, saw the Qedar as a possible threat. They launched a military campaign against Teʾelḫunu and her people.

The Battle and Capture

King Sennacherib's army attacked the Qedar. They defeated Queen Teʾelḫunu and her male associate, Kaza'il. The Assyrians then raided Adummatu, an important Qedar city. They took Queen Teʾelḫunu captive and brought her to their capital city, Nineveh. Along with the queen, they took many valuable items. These included camels, statues of gods, special spices, and beautiful jewels.

Peace and the Return of Sacred Statues

After Sennacherib's reign, his son Esarhaddon became the new king of Assyria. King Esarhaddon decided to make peace with the Qedar people. He understood that returning their sacred items was important for peace.

What Was Returned?

King Esarhaddon sent back the divine statues of the Qedar gods: Alilat, Nuhay, and Orotalt. These statues were very important to the Qedar people's religion. Along with the statues, he also sent Princess Tabua. Tabua was a relative of Teʾelḫunu and became her successor as queen. Some historians believe Tabua might have been the daughter of Teʾelḫunu and King Sennacherib. This act of returning the gods and a new queen helped to restore peace between the Assyrians and the Qedar.

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