Nefertiti is one of the most fascinating Egyptian rulers of all time, and her life remains one of history's greatest mysteries to this day. During the 14th century B.C., Nefertiti, whose name means "a beautiful woman has come," was rumored to be Egypt's most beautiful woman. She was a queen, a priestess, a wife, a mother, a political revolutionary, a beauty icon, and possibly a pharaoh all rolled into one.

Early Life and Mysterious Origins

Queen Nefertiti's parentage has been the subject of numerous theories. Her origins are shrouded in mystery because so little is known about her. She could have been the daughter of Ay, an Egyptian king who reigned for four years around 1323 B.C. Egyptologists believe she was a princess from the Mitanni Kingdom, which is located in northern Syria. She lived during the 18th dynasty, which was also the pinnacle of the Egyptian empire. This time period was roughly 1000 years after the pyramids were built and 1000 years before Queen Cleopatra's reign.

Nefertiti as Queen

She ruled alongside her husband, Pharaoh Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten), whom she married when he was 15 years old, before he became pharaoh. They ruled as equals, had six daughters, and possibly one son. (One of their daughters, Ankhesenamun, married her half-brother Tutankhamun, who became Pharaoh.)

They are portrayed as a power couple because they were said to have had a genuine romantic connection, which was unusual. They displayed public displays of affection for one another, such as public kissing, and appeared inseparable because they were always together. Their reign in Egypt lasted from 1353 to 1336 B.C., and Nefertiti may have continued her husband's reign after his death.

In comparison to most Egyptian queens, Nefertiti wielded a great deal of power because she was influential not only in the new religion but also in governmental affairs.

Worship of the Sun God

In Egypt, Nefertiti and Akhenaten were a formidable force. They founded the Aten cult, which shifted state worship from Egypt's chief god Amon to Aten, a sun god. Nefertiti's name was then changed to "Neferneferuaten Nefertiti," which means "Beautiful are the beauties of Aten, a Beautiful Woman has come." Inscriptions of her show that she was a high priestess, and that the faithful could approach the god Aten through her. She and her husband revolutionized religion, promoted a shift in art that was very different from that of their forefathers, and built a new capital city.

Nefertiti's femininity and sexuality were constantly portrayed in art by depicting her with an exaggerated female form, draped in linen gowns, and surrounded by all six of her daughters. This emphasized her portrayal as a living fertility goddess even more. Nefertiti's depictions show that she was even more powerful than previous Egyptian queens. In other depictions of Akhenaten, she is always placed next to him (a prominent position) and appears to occupy the space usually reserved for the king. In contemporary art, she is depicted wearing a pharaoh's crown, implying that she possessed pharaonic power. During her reign, she was bestowed with numerous titles, including:

• Hereditary Princess

• Great of Praises

• Lady of Grace

• Sweet of Love

• Lady of the Two Lands

• Main King's Wife

• His beloved

• Great King's Wife

• Lady of all Women

• Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt

Death

After 16 years of ruling Egypt alongside her husband, Queen Nefertiti mysteriously vanishes from all historical accounts. There are numerous theories as to why she vanished. It's possible that their heirs attempted to obliterate their legacy by destroying records and artifacts. She may have died, according to some archeologists. It's also possible that she took the name Neferneferuaten and became her husband's official co-regent. Others believe she started dressing like a man and ruled Egypt as Pharaoh Smenkhkare. It's also possible that she was exiled when Amon worship was reinstated. She was not buried, and her body was never found, so there is no record of her death.

Historical Mark and Legacy

Nefertiti is best known for her painted sandstone bust, which was rediscovered in 1913 by a team led by the German archaeologist, Ludwig Borchard. The bust is now regarded as a global symbol of feminine beauty and power. Queen Nefertiti was one of Egypt's most powerful female rulers.

‘I wonder if our names determine our destiny, or if destiny leads us to choose certain names.’

‘You can't change the desert. You can only take the fastest course through it. Wishing it's an oasis won't make it so.’

References

Biography.com Editors, 2014. Nefertiti Biography. [online] The Biography.com. Available at: <https://www.biography.com/royalty/nefertiti> [Accessed 11 September 2020]. 

History.com Editors, 2010. Nefertiti. [online] HISTORY. Available at: <https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/nefertiti> [Accessed 12 September 2020]. 

Taronas, L., n.d. Nefertiti: Egyptian Wife, Mother, Queen, And Icon. [online] Arce.org. Available at: <https://www.arce.org/resource/nefertiti-egyptian-wife-mother-queen-and-icon> [Accessed 11 September 2020].

Weird History, 2020. The Mysterious Life And Death Of Egypt’S Queen Nefertiti. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNrQgdSYTZA> [Accessed 12 September 2020].

Biography, 2014. Nefertiti - Egyptian Queen & Great Royal Wife Of Pharoah Akhenaten | Mini Bio | BIO. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVtZNo-Xg-c> [Accessed 14 September 2020].