From Herodotus to Heywood: The Development of the Tomb Story of Semiramis from Antiquity until the Early Modern Period’

From Herodotus to Heywood the tomb story of the legendary Assyrian queen, Semiramis, has a rich history within the classical tradition. This seminar will discuss the progression of sources from antiquity to the early modern period, focusing on Herodotus, Plutarch and, among early modern authors, Thomas Heywood. The seminar argues that the continued circulation of the story of Semiramis’s tomb can be attributed to its flexibility and the moralising tone. Additionally, the seminar considers how these authors adapted this famous story to suit their intended audience, the agenda of their work and their societal context.