Who is nefertiti mother

This symbol of unification is usually reserved for the reigning monarch alone. No further written sources, however, confirm that Nefertiti held a higher position than her husband. Her prominent appearance more likely derives from the new theological precept.

Aten is the sole god who, while merciful to all people, only stands in direct contact with the royal couple. Akhenaten, Nefertiti and Aten form a divine trinity, based on the ancient Egyptian theological principle of the creation of the world.

On this basis Akhenaten and Nefertiti can enter into a dialogue with the Aten, either together or individually. This does not, however, imply that Nefertiti was the driving political force or perhaps even the actual ruler. Early in , however, an inscription carved into a rock face was found in an ancient quarry 10 kilometres north of Amarna. Based on this inscription it seems probable that Nefertiti survived her husband, who died in the 17th year of his reign.

The fact that Smenkhkare is depicted together with his Great Royal Wife Meritaten, eldest daughter of Akhenaten and Nefertiti, in a private tomb in Amarna, speaks against such an interpretation. For instance, both men and women were depicted with large stomachs and thighs in what appears to have been an effort to call to mind gods of fecundity, such as Hapy. In a shrine stela now in the Berlin Museum, Akhenaten and Nefertiti are seated facing one another with the Aten shining down above them.

In this scene, Nefertiti is only slightly smaller than her husband in a way that suggests the natural dimorphism of the sexes rather than a hierarchical scale. In addition, the facial features, dress and posture of the royal couple are remarkably similar.

They both wear headgear of similar shapes, with Nefertiti wearing her typical flat topped crown and Akhenaten wearing what appears to be his blue crown the stela is damaged. Finally, the Aten holds two ankh symbols to the noses of the king and the queen, suggesting that even in the eyes of the Aten, Akhenaten and Nefertiti were analogous.

All of these parallels in depictions of the king and queen seem to reflect their complementary nature. As stated in the Great Hymn , the king was intended to function as the intermediary for the Aten on earth, which suggests Nefertiti was his female equivalent in this role.

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Beginning in , Egyptian scientists conducted genetic tests on 16 royal mummies. Those pictured here were identified as Tut's near and dear—his grandparents, his parents, his wife, and two mummified foetuses who were found in his tomb and were most likely his daughters. She was the principal wife of Akhenaten, Tut's father. Tut's mother was a different wife, whose name we don't know.

That makes Nefertiti Tut's stepmother.