Michelle Moran's Nefertiti

“She was the Cleopatra of her time. Just as beautiful, just as wealthy, and just as powerful – if not more powerful,” says Michelle Moran, author of ‘Nefertiti.’ Nefertiti ruled during a transformational time alongside Akhenaten, one of the New Kingdom’s most infamous rulers and gracefully led an unconventional yet wealthy age for Egypt. Nefertiti was the most powerful woman in ancient Egyptian history because without her help during Akhenaten’s rule, Egypt would have fallen into a third intermediate period.

Queen Nefertiti had the ability to maintain order throughout her reign while Akhenaten was preoccupied in worshiping the sole God, Aten. Nefertiti took over many jobs done by the Pharaoh such as sending royal decrees, a role put upon her

because Akhenaten, her husband and the official ruler of Egypt, thought the affairs of state were beneath him. Her power over this role and care in doing it gave Egypt the order in the government that they had been looking for. During this time, when Akhenaten was spending his hours in worship, he ignored his allies when they desperately needed support. In a case between Rib-Hadda, king of Byblos, and Akhenaten, Rib-Hadda sent over fifty letters to Akhenaten asking for help in fighting off the Aziru with no answer. Another instance was when Tushratta, king of Mitanni, complained that Akhenaten’s father sent gold plated statues instead of gold statues, which was seen as an insult to the kingdom. Nefertiti had to use her power and influence to heal the frayed ties and atone. She was running the empire for her husband meaning if she neglected his duties, Egypt would have no head maintaining allies and making decisions. Nefertiti created an organized government while Akhenaten neglected his duties.
Nefertiti, along with Akhenaten, was able to change the religion of ancient Egypt from polytheistic to monotheistic in light of the priests becoming as powerful as the pharaohs.

The priests were gaining power from the abundance of gods, so the couple began this shift into a monotheistic society by establishing the new Cult of Aten. This was the first sign to the population that ‘this should be the God you worship’. She helped create this cult out of nothing and changed a non-relevant God into a prominent God, and soon to be sole God, through her influence and desire. To show her dedication to this sun God, she served as one of the priests in the Temple of Aten. Most noblewomen of this time did not serve such an important position but since Nefertiti helped change the religion, she was strong enough to not just assist the priest as a noblewoman, but become the priest. During her reign, Nefertiti changed her name, to honor the God, Aten, from Nefertiti to Neferneferuaten-Nefertiti meaning “Beautiful are the beauties of Aten, the beautiful one has come.” To finish the move from polytheistic to monotheistic, they established a new capital away from the old capital, Thebes, named Akhetaten or ‘the horizon of Aten’. Nefertiti could move people into what she believed was a better way and was powerful enough to gain an important role, proving her dedication and saving the people from an unorganized time. She maintained order while Akhenaten was worried about

power.
Nefertiti was treated and shown as Akhenaten’s equal, a unique situation because rulers wanted to be all powerful at this time. Akhenaten had shown several pieces of evidence that he was truly in love with her, but he didn’t stop there. Many works of art and documents show her in a place of power seen only with the Pharaoh. One example is the many depictions of her smiting Egypt’s enemies. This was highly unusual and suggests that she was involved in military campaigns, a poison that would ultimately protect or be the downfall of Egypt. Another example is the images where she is wearing the crown of the Pharaoh. Nefertiti today is known worldwide for the bust of her which shows a tall, flat-topped crown, but there is evidence that shows her wearing the crown of unified Egypt or the Pharaoh's crown. The fact that she was wearing this crown, highlights the power she held alongside Akhenaten. Lastly, she accompanied Akhenaten in ceremonial acts and worshiping. They both were equally involved in their practice and didn’t hold positions above one another. Nefertiti was experienced and involved enough to be treated and depicted as a Pharaoh, thus proving without her, there would not be another person with enough power to run the empire.
Nefertiti not only was able to run an empire in the midst of drastic change, she was also powerful enough to keep order within the population despite her preoccupied husband. Her influence and wealth kept Egypt from falling into another intermediate period saving the people from a chaotic and unclear time. Despite the unwanted change of religion, people believed in her and admired her which is shown in many works of art. She was truly the most powerful woman in ancient Egyptian history.