Emma Wade- Essay - Ohio County
Item
Title
Emma Wade- Essay - Ohio County
Description
Queen Nefertiti
Abstract
Queen Nefertiti
When someone reads stories of the ancient pharaohs, many people will think of the famous figures like King Tut and King Ramses. While these characters are important to Egyptian history, another important ruler is Queen Nefertiti.
Sadly, not much is known of Nefertiti’s childhood or who her parents were. Many scholars believe that she was the daughter of a high-ranking official or maybe her husband, Akhenaton’s, sister, making his parents her parents. It is generally believed that the two were married when Nefertiti was 15 years old. Sources indicate that while Nefertiti was loyal to her husband, Akhenaton did have children by other women. Nefertiti, also called Neferneferuaten-Nefertiti, did have at least six daughters. Their names were Neferneferuaten, Meketaten, Ankhesenpaaten, Ankhesenamen, Neferneferure, and Setepenre. Some say that Nefertiti was even the mother of King Tut. Other than the number and names of her children, the only other thing that is known about her family life is her love for her husband. In the carvings found in Akhenaton’s tomb, the couple is depicted to be kissing in public which was very rare at the time. This leads us to believe that the couple might have actually been in love.
One of the most famous parts of Nefertiti and Akhenaton’s rule was the fact that Nefertiti was considered an equal to her husband and probably held more power than any other woman before her. One controversial part of the couple’s rule was the replacement of the old Egyptian gods and the replacement of them with the worship of the sun, creating the basis for many of the family names. To further the couple’s power, they were the only high priests of the sun god, making them dictators in the land.
While the life of Nefertiti is shrouded in mystery, her death and burial location is even more mysterious. After Akhenaton died in 1336 BC., Nefertiti seems to disappear from the historical record. Many scholars believe that one of the pharaohs after the famous couple, erased her name from the records because of the turmoil she and her husband caused. When Akhenaton’s tomb was found on January 6, 1907, several other bodies were found behind a secret wall. One of the bodies was of a young woman, who, after a series of DNA tests, was found to be the mother of King Tutankhamun. The identity of the “younger woman” was disputed by archeologists for years, some saying that she was Akhenaton’s sister while others were convinced that she was Queen Nefertiti.
While not much is known of the life and death of the famous Queen Nefertiti, she is a wonderful example of the role of wives in a marriage. Nefertiti was a co-regnant in the Upper and Lower kingdoms, ruling beside her husband, not over him. Although Nefertiti was a pagan and an unbeliever, she is a fantastic example of a powerful wife and mother who loved her husband dearly.
When someone reads stories of the ancient pharaohs, many people will think of the famous figures like King Tut and King Ramses. While these characters are important to Egyptian history, another important ruler is Queen Nefertiti.
Sadly, not much is known of Nefertiti’s childhood or who her parents were. Many scholars believe that she was the daughter of a high-ranking official or maybe her husband, Akhenaton’s, sister, making his parents her parents. It is generally believed that the two were married when Nefertiti was 15 years old. Sources indicate that while Nefertiti was loyal to her husband, Akhenaton did have children by other women. Nefertiti, also called Neferneferuaten-Nefertiti, did have at least six daughters. Their names were Neferneferuaten, Meketaten, Ankhesenpaaten, Ankhesenamen, Neferneferure, and Setepenre. Some say that Nefertiti was even the mother of King Tut. Other than the number and names of her children, the only other thing that is known about her family life is her love for her husband. In the carvings found in Akhenaton’s tomb, the couple is depicted to be kissing in public which was very rare at the time. This leads us to believe that the couple might have actually been in love.
One of the most famous parts of Nefertiti and Akhenaton’s rule was the fact that Nefertiti was considered an equal to her husband and probably held more power than any other woman before her. One controversial part of the couple’s rule was the replacement of the old Egyptian gods and the replacement of them with the worship of the sun, creating the basis for many of the family names. To further the couple’s power, they were the only high priests of the sun god, making them dictators in the land.
While the life of Nefertiti is shrouded in mystery, her death and burial location is even more mysterious. After Akhenaton died in 1336 BC., Nefertiti seems to disappear from the historical record. Many scholars believe that one of the pharaohs after the famous couple, erased her name from the records because of the turmoil she and her husband caused. When Akhenaton’s tomb was found on January 6, 1907, several other bodies were found behind a secret wall. One of the bodies was of a young woman, who, after a series of DNA tests, was found to be the mother of King Tutankhamun. The identity of the “younger woman” was disputed by archeologists for years, some saying that she was Akhenaton’s sister while others were convinced that she was Queen Nefertiti.
While not much is known of the life and death of the famous Queen Nefertiti, she is a wonderful example of the role of wives in a marriage. Nefertiti was a co-regnant in the Upper and Lower kingdoms, ruling beside her husband, not over him. Although Nefertiti was a pagan and an unbeliever, she is a fantastic example of a powerful wife and mother who loved her husband dearly.
Youth(s) First Name and Initial of Last Name
Emma Wade
Age Division
16
Category
Essay
County
Ohio
