Women in the Shadow and Women on the Scene: Factors of Achaemenid Women Exercising Political Power

The following article touches upon the question of what factors did the Achaemenid women exert power? To answer this question, first, we considered women's influencing methods in the Achaemenid political process by providing some instances from Classical sources. After analyzing and comparing these reports with archaeological discoveries and administrative material, particularly with Persepolis tablets and Babylonian clays, the aforementioned factors are discussed. Their importance is touched upon regarding women's most significant political roles in the Achaemenid court, in other words, political agency. In the end, it is demonstrated that women's most important ways to exercise political power in the Achaemenid court were conducted by financial independence, organizing a structure of loyal spies and eunuchs, alliance with powerful Persian Houses, military commanders, and royal officials through family ties, royal marriages and pursuing common purposes between Harem and military and civilian foundations.