Nefertiti

Nefertiti: the infamous Queen of Egypt, known throughout the ages for her spectacular beauty. But Nefertiti was much more than a pretty face. Though very little is known of her childhood, it is made clear through ancient images that Nefertiti was very powerful. Even after her strange disappearance, it is possible that she could have continued to rule beside her husband (as a man), or even assumed the position of Pharaoh under an alias. Like her origins, her fate is clouded by fiction as well. Her tomb has never been found, and most of the evidence of her reign has been destroyed. But, by sifting through history, it may be possible to discover the real Queen Nefertiti..

Nefertiti wasn’t always the grand Queen of Egypt. It is most likely that she was born to an advisor of the Pharaoh named Ay. Ay is also believed to be the brother of Queen Tiye, who was the wife of Pharaoh Amenhotep III and the mother of the future Pharaoh (and Nefertiti’s future husband) Akhenaten, also known as Amenophis or Amenhotep IV . This would make Nefertiti and her husband first cousins. Another less-popular theory is that Nefertiti was a Mittani princess from an area around modern-day Syria. Some historians even believe she could have been Naomi from the Bible. In reality, she could have come from any background. But regardless of where she was from or how she rose to power, it is certain that Nefertiti was Pharaoh Akhenaten’s Great Royal Wife and maintained this title for about twelve years. It is believed she gave birth to six daughters, though it is speculated that she could have been the famous King Tut’s mother. It is unsure why Queen Nefertiti continued to maintain her status of Great Royal Wife, considering she may have only mothered daughters. I...

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...mmoner who married the Pharaoh and became his Great Royal Wife. Together, she and Akhenaten were religious revolutionaries, in that they built a monotheistic society during a time in history in which the majority of cultures were very polytheistic. She and Akhenaten brought change to Egyptian culture in many ways. Atenism brought creativity to the Egyptians as well as artistic honesty, and because of this honesty the present world is able to have truthful insight into the life of this amazing woman. As well as contributing to this monumental change in Egyptian society, it also seems Nefertiti was the mother of the infamous King Tutankhamun. Nefertiti did much during her life and wasn’t afraid to use the tools and outlets she had to change the world as she knew it. She is truly an icon of ancient Egypt and a heroine for past, present, and future women of the world.