Author(s): AyÅen SÄ°NA
This study investigates the governmental roles and public representations of Artemisia II and Ada, who were the queens of the Carian Kingdom located in that Anatolian women went through ages. The social and political statuses of Artemisia II and Ada in international commendations contributed to the formation of a unique dynastic identity for Hellenistic kingdoms by setting an example for others to follow. Literary sources on the statuses of the queens of the Hecatomnos Dynasty, which operated under Persian rule, refer only to the kings as rulers. Inscriptions, however, demonstrate that dynastic couples, who were commended together, shared governmental roles and the women’s roles in dynasties had a superior status specifically in forming an image of the dynasty. Therefore, a limited number of inscriptions reveal that Artemisia II and Ada were not only successful in single-handedly ruling the dynasty but also played active roles in religious, governmental and public representations during their spouses’/brothers’ reigns in Caria. Within this context, this study explores the roles played by the queens of the Hecatomnos Dynasty during the reign of kings alongside with their contributions to state affairs and to the changes in women’s public identities, which set an example for women’s social and political statuses in historical process.
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