LOVERS in ancient EGYPT

If we mention the famous women of Egypt, including Hatshepsut and Cleopatra along with them we would have to name Nefertari, if for no other reason then her well known tomb. We know a great deal about Queens Hatchepsut and Cleopatra, but of course they were pharaohs.


It is very possible that Nefertari grew up as the daughter of a nobleman in Thebes. One of Nefertari's names was Mery-en-Mut, which means, "Beloved of Mut". As the wife of Amun, Mut was part of the Theban triad. It is interesting to note that post references to Nefertari come from Upper (southern) Egypt, while most of the other principal queen, Istnofret, are found in Lower, or northern Egypt. Furthermore, Ramesses II probably had a better power structure in northern Egypt, and it is thought that he may have married a Theban to enhance his position in the South. The two queens, Nefertari and Istnofret, could have possibly even had a division of duties geographically. However, it is has also been suggested that Nefertari could have been a daughter of Seti I, making her a half sister of Ramesses II.


Nefertari was most likely Ramesses II's first wife when the prince was only 15. She provided him with his first male heir, Amun-her-khepseshef (Amun Is with His Strong Arm), even prior to his ascending the throne of Egypt In addition, Ramesses II also fathered at least 3 more sons and 2 daughters by Nefertari. In fact, her oldest daughter, Meryetamun probably later also married Ramesses II, possibly after the death of her mother, apparently when Nefertari was in her early 40's.

She was probably Ramesses II's chief queen, at least up until her death in about year 24 of Ramesses II's reign. From her tomb, we know a number of her other names and titles. They included "Hereditary Noblewoman; Great of Favors; Possessor of Charm, Sweetness and Love; Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt; the Osiris; The King's Great Wife; Mistress of the Two Lands, Nefertari, Beloved of Mut, Revered Before Osiris".


Surely Ramesses II loved Nefertari. Few queens were built anything near as grand a shrine as her temple dedicated to Hathor at Abu Simbel, near the somewhat larger temple of her husband. Her tomb in the Valley of the Queens on the West Bank at Luxor (ancient Thebes) is today, one of the most fabulously decorated tombs at Luxor or anywhere else in Egypt. If one had only time enough to visit one tomb on the West Bank, it should be this one. Ramesses II, who said of Nefertari, "the one for whom the sun shines", even wrote of his weakness for the queen: "My love is unique - no one can rival her, for she is the most beautiful woman alive. Just by passing, she has stolen away my heart." by Sanio  

Queen of ancient Egypt

Nefertiti by SleinaFlar 

Depiction of the most famous (and the second most powerful) queen of Egypt: Nefer-nefer-uaten Nefertiti, wife of the heretic pharaoh Amenhotep Netjer-Heqa-Waset Akhenaten. Most famous, because Cleopatra doesn't count (she was a Macedonian queen of Egypt, but no Egyptian queen!). The most powerful queen of course was Hatshepsut.

Enough of the history lesson, let's talk about the picture. The face of Nefertiti is based on the famous bust, her body on an almost as famous torso. I wanted to keep that Amarna style feeling, so I kept those exaggerated proportions. I had a rough time researching the clothing, but thanks to this site ([link]) I think I nailed it. The background is kept simple on purpose, the perspective is low, so we're looking up to our beloved queen, as she worships the sun with offerings.

A remake of an older piece. I'm not submitting that older piece; it's THAT bad. I liked how this one turned out, especially the thin sensual linnen dress.

Nefertiti's fate is, like much of the Amarna period, an enigma. Some say she died sometime during Akehenaten's reign. Others say she survived her husband and reigned for a while as Pharaoh Neferneferuaten. As such, she may have been succeeded by the must famous pharaoh of all, Tutankhamun (née Tutankhaten). by the artist Sliena Far