Scholars have been pondering the ancient mystery of Nefertiti’s random disappearance from historical record for centuries. There are multiple theories on the reason for her disappearance, but none as convincing as the theory that suggests she became her husband, Akhenaten’s, co-ruler of Egypt.
Nefertiti was an important and powerful Egyptian queen renown for her beauty. Therefore, it makes her sudden disappearance from historical record very strange and mysterious. Nefertiti disappeared from historical record around year twelve of her husband Akhenaten’s seventeen year reign. There are many different theories on the reason for Nefertiti’s disappearance. Evidence suggests those theories are highly unlikely, and that Nefertiti became Akhenaten’s
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co-regent under the name Smenkhkare. The Smenkhkare theory is that Nefertiti became Akhenaten’s co-regent under the name Smenkhkare and disguised herself as a male, much like other Egyptian queens before her.
Then, Nefertiti’s daughter took over the role of queen consort.
There is very little known about Nefertiti’s disappearance, making every piece of information and every coincidence even more important. For example, it is known that not long after Nefertiti’s disappearance from historical record Akhenaten acquired a co-regent to share the throne of Egypt with. This supports the theory of Nefertiti becoming Akhenaten’s co-regent because it is ironic that Akhenaten’s co-regent appears in historical record almost immediately after Nefertiti’s disappearance, but was not even mentioned when Nefertiti was still in the picture.
Another strange coincidence is the likeness between the lack of information known by historians about Nefertiti’s disappearance and the lack of information known about Smenkhkare. First of all, Nefertiti was well known, some even say more famous than Akhenaten. Therefore, you would think information about her disappearance would be recorded. In addition, it is odd that Smenkhkare is so mysterious and has so little known about him. This coincidence seems suspicious and almost as if the Egyptians wanted to hide something, like perhaps a connection between Smenkhkare and Nefertiti’s disappearance, such as them being the same person. In a way, the shortage of information known about Nefertiti’s disappearance provides information within
itself. There are an abundance of other theories on Nefertiti’s disappearance. A few of these are that Nefertiti fell out of favor with Akhenaten, that she committed suicide, or that she died from a plague. These theories are not persuasive. First of all, the theory that Nefertiti fell out of favor with Akhenaten is very unlikely. The biggest reason why historians thought this was because of Nefertiti’s name and picture being removed from monuments. It was discovered later though, that it was actually Kiya, one of Akhenaten’s other wives, whose name pictures had been removed. This theory is highly unlikely is because it is shown in many different ways that Nefertiti was adored by Akhenaten. For example, she is shown multiple times on temple walls almost as big as Akhenaten, which suggests she was important to him. In addition, Akhenaten placed images of Nefertiti at each corner of his sarcophagus, rather than placing images of goddesses like other pharaohs normally did. This shows that Nefertiti was not only important to him, but that she was important to him all the way up to his death. Another theory is that Nefertiti committed suicide, following the death of one of her daughters. This is highly unlikely, considering she lived for a while after this death occurred. It is also believed by some that Nefertiti died due to a plague. This is not impossible, but there is no evidence of a plague sweeping through the city, so it is not likely. There are many different pieces of evidence to support the theory that Nefertiti ruled as her husband, Akhenaten’s, co-regent under the name Smenkhkare after her disappearance. The idea of Nefertiti acting as a man might seem bizarre and hard to believe. Though if you take a closer look at the history of ancient Egypt you find that other females, like Hatshepsut, had used a male guise to be accepted by the people as Pharaoh. Therefore, the idea of Nefertiti dressing up as a man to be Akhenaten’s co-regent is very probable. Additionally, it is noted that there are no images showing Nefertiti and Smenkhkare together. This is just a minor piece of evidence, but it definitely means something because obviously if they were the same person they would not be able to be pictured together. Since Akhenaten had no known sons with Nefertiti, he knew that after he passed away there would be no one in the family to take his place. This makes it likely that he created a fake son, using Nefertiti, because he knew his death was approaching. If Smenkhkare truly was one of Akhenaten’s son he would most likely be mentioned prior to Nefertiti’s disappearance, rather than being mentioned only after Nefertiti’s disappearance. Also, Nefertiti’s daughter Merytaten was elevated to queen status. This could be because in order for Nefertiti to rule, she would need a queen consort. The action of handing the position of queen to the queen’s daughter was seen before in the cases of other queens taking over male roles, such as Hatshepsut. One of the most convincing clues that supports the idea of Nefertiti and Smenkhkare being the same person is the similarity between their names. Smenkhkare is believed to have two names, one of them being Neferneferuaten. Neferneferuaten was a part of Nefertiti’s name and this is believed to be not just a coincidence, but evidence that Nefertiti and Smenkhkare were the same people. On top of that, archaeologists discovered a tomb thought to be Smenkhkare. But, when they investigated the body they were not able to identify the gender of the corpse. Consequently, this adds to the list of clues that indicate Nefertiti and Smenkhkare were the same people. Even though there are many different theories for Nefertiti’s disappearance from historical record during Akhenaten’s reign, none are as believable as the theory that Nefertiti became Akhenaten’s co-regent under the name Smenkhkare. There is an extensive amount of evidence to support this theory, such as Akhenaten gaining a co-regent almost immediately following the disappearance of Nefertiti from historical record. Also, the fact that Nefertiti and Smenkhkare have similarities within their names. Some may say these were just coincidences, but it seems extremely unlikely. Overall, The most logical explanation for Nefertiti’s disappearance from historical record is that she became Akhenaten’s co-regent, using the name Smenkhkare.
Stacy Schiff author of Cleopatra strives through her book to denounce all historical myths surrounding Cleopatra. With the rigor of a true historian she is able to distinguish historical veracity from historical myth surrounding the queen from antiquity. The author highlights Cleopatra’s role as a powerful woman and in particular how she attempts to manage the various political or economic predicaments she faced. Stacy Schiff gives us a story that is masterfully reconstructed, allowing the reader insight into the historical context of the time- shedding new light on a woman whose greatest fault was not being a man.
After Hatshepsut 's death, Thutmose III destroyed or defaced her monuments, erased many of her inscriptions and constructed a wall around her obelisks. Thutmose III did that to take the credit for all of Queen Hatshepsut’s work in 22 year period that she reigned. It was unlikely, for women to be king and Thutmose III took all her work as his own work. Though past Egyptologists held that it was merely the queen’s ambition that drove her, more recent scholars have suggested that the move might have been due to a political crisis, such as a threat from another branch of the royal family, and that Hatshepsut may have been acting to save the throne for her stepson. Hatshepsut was only the third woman to become pharaoh in 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, and the first to attain the full power of the position. Cleopatra, who also exercised such power, would rule some 14 centuries later. There have been rumors and stories about Thutmose III wanted to overrule Queen Hatshepsut reign. It was his reign actually, but Thutmose III was a child and could not rule Egypt. Thutmose I and Ahmose rulers of Egypt, and was the mother and father of Hatshepsut. As people talked back then Queen Hatshepsut was the first female to become Egypt’s king. She ruled for over 22 years of reign in peace. She was married to Thutmose II, and had
After her father’s death when she was 12, Hatshepsut became the queen of Egypt when she married her half-brother and he became the Pharaoh Thutmose II. He was the son of her father and one of his second wives. During the reign of Thutmose II, Hatshepsut assumed the traditional role of queen and principal wife. During their marriage, Hatshepsut and Thutmose II were not able to produce a male heir but had a daughter named Neferure. Because she was the first and main wife and queen of Thutmose II, when he died, she proclaimed herself the fifth Pharaoh while denying the old Kings son, her nephew.
In this research paper I will be writing about Cleopatra VII. Her early life, family and her relationships’. Cleopatra VII was born around 69 BC and was the daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes and Cleopatra V of Egypt. Her parents got married in the year 79 BC. Her father Ptolemy XII Auletes was the king of Egypt during 80-58 B.C. and 55-51 B.C. He was born in 117 BC and was also known as the “Piper” because he played the flute. He died in 51 BC, Alexandria, Egypt from being exiled. Her mother Cleopatra V was the queen of Egypt, born in 95 BC. She vanished around the time of Cleopatra’s birth in 69 BC then died in 57 BC. Some people believe she was either murdered or that she may have died while giving birth. (“Cleopatras Family”)
Remains one of the best known of the queens of Egypt. Nefertiti, which means a beautiful woman has come. "Ahenaton's own words describe Nefertiti: "The hereditary princess, great of favor, Mistress of happiness, gay with the two feathers, at hearing whose voice one rejoices, soothing the hart of the king at home, pleased at all that is said, the great and beloved wife of the king, lady of the two lands, Neferu-aton Nefertiti, living forever"(Spoore 2000). Nefertiti achieved a prominence unknown to other Egyptian queens. Her name is enclosed in a royal cartouche (Spoore 2000). The famous statue of Nefertiti, found in a sculptor's workshop in Akhetaten, is one of the most recognizable icons from that period of history. It has escaped the excesses of the Amarna artistic style, and survived the wholesale destruction of Akhenaten's monuments after his death. (Tyldesley 1999).
Despite Egypt’s provincial annexation to Rome after her death, Cleopatra managed to keep the Romans at bay for nearly twenty-two years. Unfortunately, much of her achievements have been disparaged and attributed to the utilization of her sexuality. To add, her image as a competent female ruler has been further distorted by the media and literature alike. Much of this misrepresentation can be accredited to the scarcity of reliable and unbiased accounts about her life. The Romans were afraid of Cleopatra’s power and the alliances she created with their generals. Therefore, accounts of her life in Roman scripture are not particularly in her favor.
Queen Nefertiti lives up to her name by being known for her beauty, leading to the creation of her bust. The life of Queen Nefertiti is an Egyptian mystery. She is the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, who reigns in the 14th century B.C. There is almost no information about the Queen’s life. Researchers were not able to identify Nefertiti’s ancestors either. Some researchers believe that Nefertiti is from Egypt, while others believe she is of Syrian descent. Egyptologists believe that she is the daughter of the Courier, Ay. The Bust of Nefertiti is still one of the most iconic masterpieces from Ancient
The Egyptians were big lovers of all beauty and fashion. They were such lovers of beauty that some of their names were based on the word ‘nefer’, which means beautiful. Examples of such were Nefert, Nefertiti, and Nefertari. The goddess associated with adornment was “Hathor the Golden”, who is seen as the ideal of beauty in love and poetry of the time.
Thesis statement: In this research, I will investigate the basic concepts of the Egyptian mythology and its gods.
About 3,500 years ago, female queen, or king, Hatchepsut came to be one of the most successful rulers of Egypt’s early 18th Dynasty. Hatchepsut was the daughter of Thutmose I, or Tuthmosis I, and sister-wife of Thutmose II. When her husband died, she took over as ruler; however, her nephew, Thutmose III was next in line, but at the time he was only two, which meant she was able to become the dominant co-king. The author, Joyce Tyldesley, mentions how “there was no ancient Egyptian term for queen” (135), only titles such as, pharaoh’s wife or god’s wife, which made Hatchepsut a female king. At the beginning of her reign, Hatchepsut was represented as feminine, but later on she was portrayed as more masculine, wearing male clothing and the pharaoh’s
Tuthmosis II and Hatshepsut had a daughter together named Neferure. Hatshepsut’s father died when she was very young, probably around 15 years old. Tuthmosis II took over, but only ruled for about three or four years, when he died from what is believed to be a skin disease. After his death, Tuthmosis the III, Hatshepsut’s stepson, was still too young to rule, which led to her ruling as Queen’s Regent. Her charismatic personality and group of followers led to her becoming pharaoh about seven years into Tuthmosis III’s rule.
The novel River God by Wilbur Smith is set in Ancient Egypt, during a time when the kingdoms were beginning to collapse and the Upper and Lower Egypt were separated between two rulers. The story is in the view-point of Taita, a highly multi-talented eunuch slave. At the beginning of the story, Taita belongs to Lord Intef and helps manage his estate along with caring for his beautiful daughter, Lostris. She is in love with Tanus, a fine solider and also Taita’s friend. Unfortunately, Lord Intef despises Tanus’s father, Lord Harrab, and Intef was actually the one who the cause of the fall of Harrab’s estate, unknowingly to Lostris and Tanus. Taita’s goal is to bring back Egypt to its former glory, but with so many bandits and invaders it would be a difficult task.
Because of the time period in which Cleopatra lived not very much is known of her. In ancient times there was record keeping. Although many of the accounts written down were not preserved well enough to be available to this day.
Fischer, Henry George. Egyptian Women of the Old Kingdom and the Heracleopolitan Period. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York. 1989
... middle of paper ... ... Saying that she was devoted to her empire and raising her children doesn’t seem fitting enough for all that Cleopatra has done. She would be the last Egyptian queen we would ever know, but also the most famous female ruler in world history. Bibliography Burstein, Stanley Mayer.