Queen Nefertiti
Queen Nefertiti was one of ancient Egypt’s most famous, beautiful, and powerful queens. Her name means “Beautiful Woman has Arrived.” She was an 18th Dynasty queen who held many titles. These titles included Lady of Grace, Great of Praises, Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt, and Lady of the Two Lands. She was also the main king’s wife and Akhenaten’s beloved.
Queen Nefertiti Rules
Queen Nefertiti became Pharaoh Akhenaten’s wife. She was only 15 years old. Akhenaten ascended to the throne after his father, Amenhotep III, died. Nefertiti ruled alongside her husband. They were about the same age. Some believe she was from a foreign country, possibly Syria. Others think she was the daughter of a high official named Ay.
Queen Nefertiti’s Husband
When her husband attempted to convert Egypt’s polytheistic religious tradition to a monotheistic system, Queen Nefertiti stood by his side. He changed Amun’s worship to Aton, “The Sun Disk,” and she changed her name to Neferneferuaten, which means “Beautiful of Aton,” and moved with him to his new capital in El-Amarna, Akhenaton.
She ruled Egypt alongside her husband, and she is depicted on the throne, wearing the crown, in numerous wall paintings, decorations, and artifacts. From Akhenaten, she had six daughters, the most famous of whom was Ankhesenpaaten, who married her half-brother Tutankhamun.
The Last Days of Her Life
After the twelfth year of Akhenaten’s rule, Queen Nefertiti vanished from power, and her daughter Merritt Aton ascended to the Egyptian throne. Her death was also the subject of much debate, and the details of her death have all but vanished from historical records.
The location of Nefertari’s tomb is a complete mystery because the Valley of the Kings contains two mummies known as “The Elder Lady” and “The Younger Lady,” one of which is thought to be her true body, but no one knows which one.
Queen Nefertiti’s Well-Known Bust
The Nefertiti Bust is a stucco-coated limestone carving. It depicts Nefertiti’s lovely face. The great sculptor Thutmose created it around 1345 B.C.
A German archaeologist, Ludwig Borchardt, discovered the bust in 1912. He found it in Thutmose’s studio in Aten Amarna. The Nefertiti Bust now sits in the Berlin Museum.
The bust is significant for its stunning beauty. It shows the ancient Egyptians’ mastery of realistic facial proportions. It also demonstrates their artistic expression and methods.
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