Mitanni Empire: Non-Political History (Notable Places and Concepts)

Maryannu (All Facts)

• Hurrian name for the Mitanni war chariot drivers

• Related to the Vedic term for “young man”

Mitanni Religion (All Facts)

• People worshipped the great Indo-Iran gods such as Mitra, Varuna, and Indra as well as the local Hurrian goddess Hepat

Nuzi (All Facts)

• Mitanni city located south of the lower Zab, a Mesopotamian river

• Peace has been kept there thanks to the protection of the king of Assyria who recognized it as his suzerainty as the Assyrians increased their influence greatly during its existence

Mitanni Paternalism and Law (All Facts)

• It is in its city of Nuzi that the man is

  • The head of the family

  • Owner of goods and chattels

  • Master of his wife

  • Sole fount of family authority

  • Controller of all in his house

• Paternal will is imposed by

  • Perpetuation of the worship of ancestors

  • Direct communication with the gods

• It is the father’s responsibility to ensure that his house meets with the gods’ approval

• The father

  • forgives and punishes

  • can sell his family members into slavery should he fall into debt

• The husband’s privileges are not as brutally asserted there as in Assyria, but the woman is subject to the will of men throughout her life:

  • First, via her father

  • Second, via her father-in-law

  • Third, via her husband

  • Fourth, via her sons

• However, a father foreseeing his imminent death can decide to endow his wife with paternal power, with limitations including

  • A widow not being able to sell nor give away any parts of the goods or chattels for which she is responsible

  • Her sons having the right to chase her naked from house if she were to exceed her rights

• Children are brought up very strictly in which, if they are disobedient, the father can

  • Flog them

  • Shackle them

  • Shut them away in a dark cave