The bust of Nefertiti is one of the most iconic artifacts from ancient Egypt, and the woman herself is perhaps second only to Cleopatra among the most famous queens of Nile River. As such, she is often said to be one of the most powerful queens, possibly even holding the position of pharaoh for a time. However, contrary to popular opinion, according to a new book, one of the most famous women in ancient history did not rule Egypt.
Egyptian plaster facade
Dr. Joyce Tyldesley, an Egyptologist from the University of Manchester, said Queen Nefertiti was just one of a series of powerful queens who played influential roles in Egyptian history.
Dr Tyldesley argues that the beauty of her famous limestone and plaster sculptures – said to be Hitler’s favorite ancient works of art – catapulted her into the public spotlight after it was displayed to the public in 1923.
Iconic bust of Nefertiti in Berlin. ( CC BY 2.0 )
That is when Egyptologists began – erroneously, Dr. Tyldesley says – to argue that she had unusual power, and that she may even have ruled Egypt.
The book – The Face of Nefertiti: The Creation of an Icon, published this week (January 25) by Profile Books – tells the story of the famous sculpture from its creation to its display today. now in Berlin.
Mesmerizing bust of Nefertiti
The bust of the Queen – who was married to Pharaoh Akhenaten – was found in 1912 by German excavator Ludwig Borchardt in an ancient workshop, which was once part of the house and studio complex of the house. Thutmose sculpture.
It is currently kept at the Neues Museum in Berlin, although Egypt has requested its return.
Dr. Tyldesley said in a Manchester University press release that the missing left eye may have fallen out while Borchardt’s team was excavating it.
But Dr. Tyldesley was not enchanted by the tarnished charm of this splendid image.
“Although most people and many Egyptologists believe that Nefertiti was an unusually powerful royal woman and possibly even a pharaoh, I believe that was not the case.”
The altar in the house contains images of Akhenaten, Nefertiti and their three daughters. 18th Dynasty, reign of Akhenaten. (Public domain)
Despite Dr. Tyldesley’s doubts, at least one of Nefertiti’s contemporaries seems to have considered her a lady above all others. According to a previous Ancient Origins article, her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten, bestowed upon her many titles, including: Great Princess, Hereditary Princess, Great Praise, Lady of Grace, Sweet Love Beloved, Lady of the Two Lands, King’s Great Wife, Lady of all Women, and Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt. Nefertiti was known to be very beautiful and her name means “beauty has come.” The article goes on to claim, “Akhenaten considered herself an equal partner and went to great lengths to ensure that others saw her as such. She is shown in reliefs defeating her enemies in battle or wearing the pharaoh’s crown.”
But no matter how highly regarded by her husband or others, Tyldesley did not accept that she could reasonably hold the status of pharaoh, as her ancestors were said to be far removed from the royal class. Although details are uncertain, she is believed to have originated from an Egyptian town named Akhmim, with her highest-ranking relative being a high-ranking official named Ay. This fact would prevent her from becoming king in the Tyldesley competitions.
“She was not born royal, and for a non-royal woman to become king is unprecedented. However, her daughter Meritaten was actually born royal – and thus, a more likely candidate for pharaoh, if there was one.”
Dr. Tyldesley went on to describe how the queen’s opportunities to rule as she wished were limited in the recorded historical timeline:
“Her husband Akhenaten died around 1336 BC; Tutankhamun – who may have been Nefertiti’s son – became pharaoh around 1336 BC. It has been argued that Nefertiti ruled Egypt, filling this gap and perhaps influencing the early period of Tutankhamen’s reign.”
Nefertiti and Akhenaten 1345 BC – perhaps a less elaborate portrait. ( CC BY-SA 2.0 )
Enhancement through art
Egyptologists believe that the beauty of the bust is the reason why Nefertiti was elevated to the high status she is today. She explains, “it is a beautiful work of art that seems to impress anyone who looks at it.”
Regarding the issue of whether the original work is genuine or not, she strongly denies the accusations of forgery. “Some people think it’s fake, but they’re completely wrong. I am sure that the object on display in Germany is the real thing; It is truly remarkable.”
“Shortly after it was displayed in 1923, replica busts were made and circulated, in an elaborate PR operation that has gone on ever since, helping to form the cult it is today.”
And part of the work’s beauty lies in its universal appeal. “Admirers of the sculpture tend to see their own cultures and interests reflected in her images; For example, Hitler probably considered her Aryan.
Perhaps not exactly an ordinary Egyptian queen
The current perception of the queen is not entirely dependent on the most famous sculpture of her, although this particular artifact is what has elevated her status today. There are many other expressions that seem to show off her power. Both her size compared to other characters and the way she is portrayed suggest a higher than average status. And there are also cases where she actually wears a pharaoh’s crown. Such issues may have been considered in the book and hopefully some of the many questions surrounding this woman of interest will be answered.
Wilbour plaque, Brooklyn Museum. Nefertiti was almost the same size as her husband, indicating her importance. Image: Brooklyn Museum.
Finally, Dr. Tyldesley seems to indicate that we may need to re-examine our own biases in this case.
“But just because she was the most famous and powerful queen of Egypt in our world doesn’t mean she was the most famous and powerful queen of Egypt in her world.”
Dr Tyldesley will give a free talk and book launch on Thursday 25 January, at 6pm at Manchester Museum. For more details, click here.
