Bianca Laura Saibante y el uso de Semíramis. Un estudio de caso sobre la recepción de la Antigüedad en los debates italianos sobre la mujer en el siglo XVIII

For centuries, the use of exempla of ancient women accompanied the discussion of the Querelle des femmes. At times, this practice has been seen as a purely static reproduction of the same topoi, and its innovative power and originality have been strongly relativized. This article aims to test this thesis by analysing the case study of the Italian writer Bianca Laura Saibante (1723-1797), paying attention to nuances and details in her depiction of ancient women. To this end, theanalysis focuses on one of a number of ancient women Saibante included in her writings on the female question, namely the Babylonian ruler Semiramis. Mainfocuses are the narrative elements of Semiramis’ life that she highlighted, and the way she functionalized them. Comparison with other representations of the Babylonian queen in writings from a broad context relevant to Saibante serves to identify “small differences” and particularities in her Semiramis’ treatment, showing the dynamic character of the reception of Antiquity and its functionalisation for contemporary gender debates.