Kubaba Reigning Queen of Kish (Sumer)(Iraq) (2500bc-2400bc)

 

Ku-Baba, or Kug-Bau in the Sumerian language, was of Sumer during the third dynasty of Kish, the ancient capital city of Sumer. She was recorded in the Sumerian King List as the first-ever female monarch in history: “In Kish, Kug-Bau, the woman tavern-keeper, who made firm the foundations of Kish, became king: she ruled for 100 years. Then Kish was defeated and taken to Akkad.”

The King’s List says that Kubaba ruled for 100 years. Kubaba fortified the city and made it strong. What’s equally impressive is the Kubaba was apparently not given this position by birthright, but she instead worked as a barkeep, brewing, and serving ancient beer, before taking the throne. Barkeeping was considered a respectable profession, and one woman frequently held. Brewing beer and owning and operating taverns was an important role, as the beer was a pretty big deal in ancient Sumer.

Kubaba used every ounce of her political skills and pulled Machiavellian maneuvers to maintain her power. The necessary campaigns to maintain the trade routes open was a constant worry and necessity to provide the kingdom with bronze, gold, lapis, cedarwood, horses and slaves.

Her son Puzur-Suen and grandson Ur-Zababa followed her on the throne of Sumer. After her rule, but shrines were built in her honor and she was deified, living on in the hearts and minds of the people of ancient Mesopotamia for centuries to come.