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Overview:

Reign: 1353–36 BC Dynasty: 18 Queen and Wife of King Akhenaton

Biography:

Nefertiti seems to have been an ardent supporter of her husband Akhenaton's radical religious reformation. Her name means "a beatiful woman has come". Her depictions early in Akhenaton's reign were unusually prominent for a queen. Not only was her figure the same size as Akhenaton's (usually the king was shown much larger than other figures) but in at least one instance she is shown smiting enemies in a pose characteristic of pharoahs. Such prominence and depictions suggest that Nefertiti was an unusually powerful queen. She and Akhenaton had six daughters (at least two of which Akhenaton later married) but no sons. There are numerous scenes showing Akhenaton, Nefertiti and their children in touching family settings. Nefertiti is perhaps the most famous because of a painted limestone bust of her now located in the Berlin museum. The sculpture has Nefertiti wearing a unique blue crown. It appears that Nefertiti either died or fell out of favor with Akhenaton around his 12th year as king. Several instances of her name have been replaced by her daughter Merytaten's name. Merytaten was one of the daughters Akhenaton married. Nefertiti was probably buried in Akhenaton, the current el-Armana but her body has never been found. Content provided by: eHistory Staff

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