Tawananna

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Ancient Near East Portal

Tawananna (also spelt Tavannana) is the title for the queen of the Hittites. The Hittites were ruled by a theocratic monarchy, although the King was equal with the Queen when it came to rights of rulership. The Tavannana also had the duty of ruling when the King was away fighting at battle and was the High Priestess while the king was High Priest of the Hittite Empire.

The Hittite queen bore the title Tawanannas, and if she outlived her husband, she retainer her position. ^[1] The main duties of Tawanannas was mainly religious. The examples of Hittite Tawanannas was Puduhepa, wife of Hattusilis III. After the death of Hattusilis, Puduhepa took the responsibility of communicating with Egyptian royal family and rulers Hittite vassal states.

This title is from the Hittite civilization 1000-3000 B.C, a society which recognized the governing queen. This title was for when the king was living and she reserved its position after her spouse dies, reserved also meant no Tawannanna began the Ceremony of Enthronement to her king, until just after the previous Tawannanna dies. Sort of like lining up 2 or 3 wives in advance so you always know what’s in store for you next, This often resulted in bitter rivalries between newly appointed queens and there stepchildren who would inherit the true power of the kingdom. Such an incident is noted in translated version of cuneiform tablet.^{[citation needed]}