Born: circa 730 BC, Iraq or Syria (Babylonia)
Died: 668 BC
Country most active: Iraq and Turkey (Assyria)
Also known as: Zakutu
In some sources, Naqi’a is recorded as the wife of King Sennacharib of Assyria and mother of his son, Esarhaddon, while in others she is said to be Esarhaddon’s wife and mother of his son, Ashurbanipal. Despite the discrepancy, we do know that Naqi’a was influential in the politics of the Assyrian throne, which Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal held as kings (reigned 680–669 and 668–627 B.C.E., respectively). During each of their reigns, she served in an advisory role to under the title of queen mother.