Who would write a book like this? A historian? A scholar? A feminist?
When I discovered the State Archives of Assyria in the University of Auckland library,
I became fascinated by the life of Naqia (Zaqutu), wife of the Assyrian king
Sennacherib.
The politics of her times became the story of her life that I imagined in my latest book.
Naqia's times, like our own, required sensitive and intelligent government. My film from 2015, Tumanako (Hope), focuses on just such requirements for our modern challenges.
Naqia's story follows on from my 2004 novel, Isaiah: A Man of Sorrows.
Seven hundred years before Christ was born, the Assyrian king, Sennacherib presided over the greatest empire that had ever been. In this story of Naqia, his favourite wife, we are caught up in the turbulent sweep of history, the treachery and the valour and the ordinary lives of those who were connected with her. From the humblest hut to the glorious palaces we enter a world both foreign in its culture and familiar in its humanity. Through it all Naqia grows in confidence, starting as mere chattel, then being pledged to the goddess Ishtar, and later to become the most powerful woman of her time.
We meet Naqia as an innocent girl driven from home into country strange to her. She has to learn how to behave. She becomes a devotee of the Goddess Ishtar, but then finds herself betrothed to the king rather than to the prince. She gives birth, miraculously, to a son and, as Zaqutu, becomes the Queen. Political instability now affects her personally.
Into Zaqutu's household comes an elderly servant driven from Naqia's old home. He tutors her son, Esarhaddon, and uses his special skills to ensure that Zaqutu can escape her principal enemies and that Esarhaddon will have a secure accession to the kingship over the whole empire.
Zaqutu loses her grip and the empire dissolves into civil war. Esarhaddon eventually triumphs but the victory comes at a personal cost to Zaqutu. Her mentor, the high priestess of the Goddess, is degraded and disabled.
In Esarhaddon's reign Zaqutu has to take up the reins of power and rule as Queen Mother as her son extends the extent of his rule rom Egypt to the Caucasus. Her grandson, Asshurbanipal fulfills all her ambitions, leaving behind a heritage of art and literature.
“They ask me why I chose an unknown woman from long ago and far away to tell her story. Unknown to most people now, but in her time she was the shaper of her country's cultural and religious practices and, to some extent, its political stance. And what we know now about her times is quite a lot. Archaeologists have dug up a very large library of documents. We know the proverbs and religious beliefs, the economic and military details. We have the letters those long ago people wrote to each other and the propaganda they issued.” - Author Judith Reinken
Seven hundred years before Christ was born, the Assyrian king Sennacherib presided over the greatest empire that had ever been. In this story of Naqia, his favourite wife, we are caught up in the turbulent sweep of history, the treachery and the valour and the ordinary lives of those who were connected with her.
From the humblest hut to the glorious palaces we enter a world both foreign in its culture and familiar in its humanity. Through it all Naqia grows in confidence, starting as mere chattel, then being pledged to the goddess Ishtar, and later to become the most powerful woman of her time.
“This book is a feat of great imagination. Be prepared to be immersed in a time very distant and different from now—Iraq as it was in 701BCE. The vivid scenes of ancient worship of the goddess Ishtar, the civil wars and rebellions, the rulers of great power and prowess, the beauty of the artworks and details of everyday life all draw the reader deep into this ancient world. Highly recommended.”
“Have you ever paused to imagine the daily lives of the characters we hear of in the Bible? Wondered about the lives of the women? For the second time Judith Reinken has drawn on her academic studies to bring ancient figures to life; first Isaiah and now Naqia.
Naqia was a real woman, wife to the Assyrian king, Sennacherib and mother and grandmother to his successors. Judith Reinken has brought her to life. Through Naqiaʼs love of art and literature we explore the rooms, the tapestries, the faith and the myths of her time. The Head That Wears the Crown enriched me, made me want to learn more of ancient lives.”
“A fascinating journey into ancient Assyria, through the eyes of Naqia, as she makes her journey from innocence to knowledge and power. A devotee of the goddess as well as wife, mother and then grandmother of the king. An intriguing insight into the ancient world and the worship of Ishtar through the very human stories of Naqia herself, her friend and adviser Ataril, and Ahat-Abisha, high priestess of Ishtar.”
Susy Pointon’s documentary about life on the Hokianga delivers a gently affirmative self-portrait of a multifarious, fully functioning quasi-alternative community. Interviewing numerous current inhabitants, she draws us down many of the roads that led to a beautiful, unspoiled harbour on the West Coast of the Far North.
Director, Producer
Susy Pointon
Executive producer
Judy Reinken
Photography/Editor
Lloyd Latimer
With
Tony Watkins
, Karen Brown
, David Williams
, Eileen
, Migael
, Eric Alexander
, Bridget Allan
, Chrissie Williams
, Daniel Ambler
, Mani Barr
Orange With Black Spots is an intimate and thought provoking view in to the world of Bouncie the kune kune sow becoming a new mum (warning some graphic content).
Producer/ Director
Judith Reinken
A Beulah Film Production
Seachange, before the elections, proposed an action plan for Council which included “Collaboration with Far North residents to develop a new Statement of Intent and new Terms of Reference for Far North Holdings Limited (FNHL)....
Set in old testament Judah, A Man of Sorrows tells a story of political machinations and personal tragedy that dog the prophet Isaiah, his family and the people of Judah. Ruled by a weak king and an idolatrous queen, the people of Jerusalem are sorely beset. Their leaders have forsaken tradition and erected golden idols in the temple. The economy has collapsed and the common people starve or are sold into slavery to finance the king's lavish lifestyle. Taking advantage of civil and religious strife the neighbouring power of Assyria looks set to overrun the whole of Judah. Living through these dangerous times are the visionary Isaiah and his family. Through their eyes we experience these turbulent times.
Unlike many works of historical fiction these characters do not feel like modern people displaced in time. They have a different world view. It is completely reasonable that enemy soldiers should be disembowelled and that captured women and children be sold into slavery. Isaiah's family is full of prophets and visionaries who directly communicate with Yahweh (the old testament god). The ins and outs of relationships and everyday life in a Judean extended family are intricately explored, and biblical and historical detail are skilfully woven through-out the tale. The use of a variety of different voices to tell the story, including the voice of Jerusalem itself, adds depth to this complex chronicle. Helpful maps, family tree, character list and glossary have been included.
To inquire about booking Judy Reinken for a speaking engagement or any other information, Please email:
ffms@farmside.co.nz
