Nefertiti

Nefertiti

The Mystery Queen of Egypt

Who was the Egyptian queen? What made her so inexplicable and robust?

Nefertiti, which refers to “a beautiful women has come”, was the queen of Egypt in the 15th century B.C., who played an acclaimed role in the a system of religious veneration, of the son god (also known as the Aton). Queen Nefertiti, the most vigorous women, was as influential as she was alluring. Her partner and husband in power, King Akhenaten, together unconditionally converted Egyptian religion. Throughout her reigning as queen, Egypt endured many revolutionary religious changes and everything they once knew was being exchanged for a new concept called Monotheism. Monotheism is defined as “as the belief in the existence of only one god that created the world, is all-powerful and intervenes in the world. A broader definition of monotheism is the belief in one god”. She was efficient in shutting down the idea of the old gods, temples were terminated, and priests were forced to change their teachings.

In early images Nefertiti is depicted as the stereotypical young beautiful woman but in later years she looks more like her husband Akhenaten. The author of The Mysterious Disappearance of Nefertiti, Ruler of the Nile states, “Nefertiti is depicted in images and statuary in a large image denoting her importance. Many images of her show simple family gatherings with her husband and daughters. She is also known as the mother-in-law and stepmother of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun”(Aprilholloway 1). She is often shown is positions of power and authority such as leading worship of Aten and steering a chariot.  According to the article Nefertiti, history editor’s state “Nefertiti disappears from the historical record around the 12th year of Akhenaten’s 17-year reign. She may have died at that point, but it is possible she became her husband’s official co-regent under the name Neferneferuaten”. In Akhenaten’s 12 year of reign, Nefertiti disappears from any historical record. She is believed to have died, but there are myths that believe she became her husband’s co-regent under the new name Neferneferuaten. Another theory that was contrived was she became the ruler of Egypt under the name Smenkhkare, which in the time period was not allowed. One of the major causes of this belief as Zahi Hawass makes prominent:  

This king [Smenkhkare] is shown as a male in the company of Meritaten as `his’

queen; however, his throne name was virtually identical to that of Akhenaten’s coregent, now convincingly identified as Nefertiti. Whether this king was Nefertiti herself or an otherwise unattested son of Akhenaten’s (or Amenhotep III’s) he or she died only two years after ascending the throne, and left Egypt in the hands of a young boy named Tutankhaten [later Tutankhamun] (47).

This has become the most believes and well developed theory because it is realistic that she would go to great lengths to rule Egypt, even if it required her to dress as a male.

If Nefertiti was to have reigned after Akhenaten’s, she would be responsible for the nullification of her husband’s religious policies. There have been several theories proposed that would interpret her unexpected disappearance. Some of these theories would include “She fell out of favor with her husband because she could not produce a male heir and so was replaced by Kiya” and “She abandoned the religion of Aten and was banished by Akhenaten”. None of these theories are able to be confirmed which leaves room for interpretation of the uncertain. Under the reign of Akhenaten and Nefertiti, Egypt prospered in the enjoyment of wealth and triumph, and perhaps the most fortune it had ever seen. Nefertiti is depicted much more in the drawings and artwork than her husband is. She often was found in the position of the pharaoh such as striking enemies and embellishing the throne with prisoners. Nefertiti was one of the most powerful queen that Egypt had ever seen. As a queen, she embodied characteristics that only Egyptian kings would.

Work Cited:

1.https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/nefertiti
1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotheism

2. https://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/mysterious-disappearance-nefertiti-ruler-nile-001988

3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/women_01.shtml

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotheism