She can, without any doubt, be called one of the most famous women of antiquity. Her image, along with the pyramids and the smile of young Tutankhamun, became one of the permanent symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization. She, revered as a living goddess by her contemporaries, cursed and forgotten by her descendants, again “reigns” in our world, recalling man’s endless struggle with time and proclaiming the unchanging ideal of beauty. Her name was Nefertiti.
It is assumed that the queen was from Mitanni and came from a fairly noble family. Born 1370 BC. e. Her real name is Taduchela and at the age of 12 she was sent by her father to the harem of Amenhotep III for a significant amount of gold and jewelry. Soon the pharaoh died and, according to the traditions established at that time, all the wives were inherited by his successor Amenhotep IV. The beauty of Nefertiti attracted the attention of Amenhotep IV, who later received the name Akhenaten. At the same time, a marriage was concluded, and the hostage of the harem became a co-ruler of Ancient Egypt.
Queen Nefertiti is perhaps more famous than her husband, the heretic king Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV). He said that even in the ancient world, her beauty was known, and her famous statue, found in the sculptor's workshop, is not only one of the most recognizable icons of ancient Egypt, but also the subject of some modern-day controversies. She was more than a pretty face however, she seemed to have a level of importance hitherto unheard of during the Amarna period of Egypt's 18th dynasty. In the work of art, her status is obvious and means that she had almost as much influence as her husband. For example, she is depicted almost twice as often in reliefs as her husband, at least during the first five years of his reign.
The appearance of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti can be imagined from preserved sculptures and images. According to these data, the woman had a miniature and slender figure until the end of her life, and even the birth of six children did not affect her grace. Nefertiti had a clear facial contour and a strong-willed chin, which was not at all typical for the indigenous people of Egypt. Her black arched eyebrows, full lips and expressive eyes could be the envy of many women, even today.
During the entire period of marriage, Nefertiti gave birth to six daughters, but, unfortunately, the wife did not receive an heir. It is with this that historians associate Akhenaten’s remarriage with a young commoner named Kiya, who later bore him a son, known in history as Tutankhamun. Nefertiti became an exile and was given the care of her husband's son, but a year later she was brought back by her husband.
The union of Akhenaten and Nefertiti was restored, but soon after, the pharaoh was killed and the Egyptian beauty, at the age of 35, became the sole ruler, under the name of Smenkhkare. Her reign lasted no more than 5 years, which ended with the tragic death of the female pharaoh at the hands of the exiled priests. The body was mutilated, and her tomb was destroyed and plundered by vandals. Perhaps if the death had occurred under different circumstances, it would have been easier for historians to reconstruct the image of this woman.
As for the psychological portrait of Nefertiti, it is formed very vaguely. According to some sources, the beauty was distinguished by her rebellious disposition and cruelty, and according to others, she was a submissive and faithful wife who supported her husband in everything. Perhaps the combination of absolutely opposite characters is the unique personality of the unique ancient Egyptian queen. Modern psychologists, analyzing data about Nefertiti, have suggested the possibility that the woman possessed certain qualities considered masculine at the time. In addition, assumptions about the high education of the queen, which was very rare for Ancient Egypt and was characteristic mainly only of men, were confirmed.
There are also various guesses about what attracted Akhenaten more to her: Nefertiti’s beauty, her inquisitive mind and wisdom, or mastery in the art of love. Indeed, throughout the entire marriage, even with the advent of a new young wife, the pharaoh did not let his ex-wife out of his life.
It is unknown how Nefertiti herself ended her days. Her mummy has not been found. One of the archaeologists, who led excavations in Akhetaton for a number of years, writes that among local residents there is a story that at the end of the 19th century a group of people came down from the mountains carrying a golden coffin; soon after this, several gold objects with the name Nefertiti appeared among antique dealers. This information could not be verified. It is still unknown whether the burial of the great queen of antiquity was actually found.
In one of his studies, the American cultural theorist Harold Bloom noted that the Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII is the world's first celebrity. It’s hard to disagree with him, because no other woman managed to perform more vividly on the historical stage. Even the famous Nefertiti pales in comparison. With all this, the image of Cleopatra is shrouded in the fog of fiction, and sometimes dirty slander. What do historians say about this woman more than 2000 years after her death?
Bust of Cleopatra VII
The girl who was destined to become the last queen of Egypt was born in Alexandria in 69 BC. She became another representative of the famous dynasty founded by Ptolemy, a companion of Alexander the Great, who subsequently took possession of Egypt. Cleopatra's ancestors ruled Egypt for about three centuries, during which time they became famous for incest and bloody feuds within the family.
The queen's father was Ptolemy XII Auletes ("Fluteist"), and her mother was Cleopatra V Tryphena. Both were Ptolemies, but it is still difficult for scientists to accurately determine the extent of their relationship. There is also a hypothesis according to which Cleopatra was the daughter of one of the concubines of Ptolemy XII.
Be that as it may, the birth of Cleopatra was not something remarkable. She became the third daughter in a family that had been expecting a son for a long time. She was given a name traditional for the Ptolemaic dynasty (the meaning of the name is “the glory of the father”), without expecting that she would stand out in any way among the string of her namesakes.
However, the future ruler of Egypt began to stand out among others from childhood. The first thing that distinguished her from other descendants of Ptolemy XII was her thirst for knowledge. Scientists suggest that Cleopatra during her life managed to master languages such as Greek, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Abyssinian, Parthian and, of course, Latin.
It is worth noting that Alexandria, where the princess grew up, was the intellectual capital of the then world. Despite her Greek origin, the princess was in awe of the history and culture of Egypt. Before her, none of the Ptolemies bothered to learn the Egyptian language.
Cleopatra's worldview was influenced not only by books, but also by brutal feuds in her own family: the overthrow of Ptolemy XII by her daughter Berenice and the subsequent murder of Berenice by her father. Later, she will not disdain any means on the way to power.
images on coins
Beginning of the reign
Cleopatra received the kingdom according to her father's will; it was not for nothing that she was considered his favorite. According to the will of Ptolemy XII, Rome became the guarantor of the Egyptian state. The document also stated that the 18-year-old girl should become the wife of her brother, 10-year-old Ptolemy XIII, and rule the country with him. The royal couple ascended the throne in 51 BC.
But the actual rulers of Egypt are not Cleopatra and Ptolemy, but the so-called “Alexandrian trio,” which included the royal dignitaries Theodotus, Achilles and Pothinus. They manage to turn Cleopatra's younger brother against her. The queen is accused of wanting to rule alone, which was not far from the truth. As a result, she decides to flee to Syria for a while. Here she gathers an army that sets up camp near the Egyptian border. The army of Ptolemy XIII is ready to confront him.
Bust of Caesar from the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Julius Caesar and Cleopatra
The acquaintance of Cleopatra and Caesar was preceded by the treacherous murder of the Roman commander Gnaeus Pompey, arranged by Egyptian dignitaries. In this way, they hoped to earn Caesar's favor, but the great commander did not appreciate the “service.” When Pompey's head was presented to him, he turned away and began to cry.
At this time, Cleopatra received detailed information about everything that was happening in Alexandria. Having arrived in Egypt to collect his debts, Caesar declared that he was ready to become an arbiter in a dispute between the royal spouses. Soon he calls Cleopatra to him. The Queen of Egypt appears before him suddenly and, importantly, impressively. According to one version, she arrived to Caesar wrapped in a carpet, according to another, she was secretly smuggled in a bed bag. An affair between the 53-year-old Roman consul and the 21-year-old queen breaks out that same night.
Why did she charm Caesar? This is perhaps the main question of her biography. The usual feminine charms were clearly not enough here. Most likely, he appreciated her intelligence, originality, courage and, as ancient authors say, the enchanting voice of an eastern ruler. In addition, in her person he could expect to receive a reliable Egyptian puppet. The morning after meeting Cleopatra, Caesar declares that sister and brother should rule together.
In response, Egyptian dignitaries proclaim the youngest daughter of Ptolemy XII Arsinoe as queen. A war begins, in which Caesar wins, Arsinoe is captured, and Ptolemy XIII dies. After this, the great Roman organizes the wedding of Cleopatra with her second brother, 16-year-old Ptolemy Neoteros. As a result, with the help of Rome, Cleopatra becomes the de facto sole ruler of Egypt. In 47 BC. The son of Caesar and Cleopatra is born - Ptolemy Caesarion. Caesar leaves Egypt, but soon enough calls Cleopatra to his place.
In Rome, the Egyptian queen was given Caesar's villa. Here she spends about two years. There was even a rumor that Caesar wanted to make an Egyptian his second wife. The great commander’s admiration for this woman greatly disturbed the Roman nobility and became another argument in favor of his liquidation. Caesar's murder forced Cleopatra to flee Rome.
Bust supposedly depicting Mark Antony
Cleopatra and Mark Antony
Shortly after Caesar's death, Queen Cleopatra's co-ruler, Ptolemy XIV, dies. There was a rumor that he would have been poisoned on the orders of his sister, who thus got rid of her future rival. In Rome, meanwhile, one of the prominent positions was occupied by Mark Antony, Caesar's comrade-in-arms. Without thinking twice, he decided to demand money from Cleopatra for a new military campaign.
The fateful meeting of Anthony and Cleopatra took place in 41 BC. in the city of Tarsus on board the queen's magnificently decorated ship. The Egyptian ruler appears before the amorous and vain Anthony in the image of the goddess Aphrodite. She invites the Roman for a sumptuous feast. As a result, Anthony selflessly falls in love with the queen. In the same year, with his hands, she gets rid of her sister Arsinoe, who is in Rome.
In an effort to be with Cleopatra, Anthony practically moves from Rome to the capital of Egypt. True, here he mainly indulges in drinking and entertainment. Soon the lovers have children, twins Alexander and Cleopatra. In 36 BC. Antony turns from Cleopatra's lover into her husband. The marriage takes place despite the fact that Anthony already had a legal wife. In Rome, this union begins to be viewed as a threat to the empire, especially after Mark Antony bestows Roman territories on his children from Cleopatra.
Antony's behavior leads Octavian to declare "war against the Egyptian queen." The culmination of this confrontation is the Battle of Actium, which took place in 31 BC. Its result is the complete defeat of the fleet of Anthony and Cleopatra. Modern historians believe that victory in this battle led Rome to world domination.
Death
In 30 BC. Octavian's troops entered Alexandria. At this time, Cleopatra, along with her trusted servants, locked herself in her own tomb. By mistake or intentionally, Anthony received false news of his beloved’s suicide, after which he threw himself on the sword. He died in Cleopatra's arms.
After the death of her husband, Cleopatra enters into negotiations with Octavian's envoy. Perhaps she still retained a faint hope of retaining the kingdom. Plutarch notes that a Roman officer in love with the queen warned her that Octavian wanted to lead her in chains during his triumph in Rome.
To avoid public humiliation, the Egyptian queen decides to commit suicide. Before this, she gives Octavian a letter asking him to bury her with Antony. Soon the ruler is found dead. Cleopatra died on August 12, 30 BC. in royal attire, reclining on a golden bed.
One of the possible causes of the queen’s death is said to be a snake bite; according to another version, it was a pre-prepared poison. The location of Cleopatra's tomb and her mummy have not yet been discovered. After the death of Cleopatra VII, Egypt became a Roman province.
Appearancelast queen of Egypt. This woman is usually associated with the image of a fatal beauty. But even by the standards of her time, she looked quite ordinary. Plutarch wrote that it can hardly be called “incomparable.” According to him, she was more impressive with her charm and persuasiveness of speech.
The portraits on the coins depict a woman with large eyes, a prominent chin and a long, hooked nose. The queen's height was no more than 152 cm, while she was plump and stocky.
Cleopatra's underwater palace. The proposed palace is located off the coast of Alexandria. The ruins of this ancient building were flooded as a result of an earthquake that occurred one and a half thousand years ago. Now it is located at a depth of 50 m. The possibility of creating an underwater museum on its territory is being discussed.
The fate of children. Cleopatra had four children. Son Caesarion from Julius Caesar and three children from Mark Antony - twins Cleopatra and Alexander, as well as son Ptolemy. The shortest story was the life of the queen's eldest son. He was killed by order of Octavian, and the twins and Ptolemy were given to Octavia, Octavian’s sister, Mark Antony’s ex-wife, to be raised. Cleopatra's only daughter was subsequently married to Yuba II, the ruler of Mauritania.
Powerful pharaohs, majestic pyramids, and the silent Sphinx personify the distant and mysterious Ancient Egypt. Queen Nefertiti is an equally mysterious and famous royal beauty of antiquity. Her name, covered with a halo of legends and fiction, has become a symbol of all that is beautiful. Who was the most mysterious and “perfect” woman of Ancient Egypt, exalted and identified with, the mention of whom at one point disappeared, like herself?
Egyptian Queen Nefertiti ruled alongside Pharaoh Amenhotep IV, better known to history as Akhenaten, more than three thousand years ago. The sands of time swallowed up that long period of history, turning everything that surrounded the queen into dust. But the glory of Nefertiti has survived centuries, pulled out of oblivion, she again rules the world.
In 1912, while in Egypt, Ludwig Borchardt, a German archaeologist, discovered the workshop of the sculptor Thutmes, as clearly evidenced by accumulations of stones of various types, plaster masks, unfinished statues, and a fragment of a casket with the name of the sculptor Akhetaten. A life-size bust of a woman made of limestone was found in one of the rooms. Borchardt smuggled him out of Egypt. In 1920, the bust was donated. They tried to reveal secrets and mysteries about the life of the queen using various hypotheses. We can say that since then her name has been covered in worldwide fame, which has not faded to this day. Interest in the fate of the queen also increased. For a long time there were only isolated mentions of it, and not much information can be found even now.
There are many versions about the origin of Nefertiti. The scant information gleaned from references on the walls of tombs and inscriptions on cuneiform tablets in the Amarna archive became the basis for the development of many versions about the origin of the queen. “The Perfect One,” as she was called, was an Egyptian, but there are versions that claim she was a foreign princess. Egyptologists have built several hypotheses about its origin. Some researchers believe that she is the daughter of Tushratta, the king of Mitanni. She changed her real name Taduhippa when she married Amenhotep III. Nefertiti became a widow early, and after the death of her husband she was declared the wife of his son Amenhotep IV. Nefertiti captivated the young pharaoh with her incredible beauty. They said that she had not yet given birth to beauty, and soon she became the “main” wife of the ruler. This kind of confirmed the version of her Egyptian origin, because Egyptians usually became of royal blood. It is likely that this could be the daughter of the pharaoh. It was also assumed that Nefertiti was the daughter of one of those close to Akhenaten’s court.
The queen amazed not only with her extraordinary beauty, but also with her endless mercy. She gave people peace, her sunny soul was sung in poems and legends. Power over people was easily given to her, Egypt worshiped her. Queen Nefertiti had a strong will and the ability to inspire reverence.
Ancient Egyptian papyri, drawings, and bas-reliefs indicate that her marriage to Amenhotep IV was ideal, a symbol of respect, love and cooperation. The all-powerful pharaoh went down in history as a religious reformer. He was an extraordinary man who declared war on the priestly caste. He called himself Akhenaten, “pleasing to God,” moved the capital from Thebes to Akhetaten, erected new temples, and crowned them with sculptural colossi of the new Aten-Ra. In pursuing this policy, the ruler needed a reliable ally, and Nefertiti became him. An intelligent and strong wife helped the pharaoh to refract the consciousness of the entire country and win such a dangerous war with the mysterious clergy who subjugated Egypt. Queen Nefertiti attended diplomatic receptions. Pharaoh consulted with his wife in public. Sometimes she replaced his dignitary advisers. Nefertiti was worshiped; her majestic statues could be seen in almost every Egyptian city. Most often, she was depicted in a headdress, which was a tall blue wig, which was entwined with gold ribbons and a uraeus, symbolically emphasizing her power and connection with the gods.
There was also envy and intrigue. But no one dared to openly oppose the ruler’s wife; rather, on the contrary, Nefertiti was showered with offerings and gifts from petitioners. However, the wise queen helped only those who, in her opinion, could justify and deserve the trust of the pharaoh.
But fate, being the most unsurpassed director in human life, did not endlessly favor Nefertiti. The gods did not give her an heir to power. The queen only gave the pharaoh 6 daughters. It was here, not without the help of envious people, that a replacement for the reigning wife was found, power over the heart of the pharaoh passed to the beautiful concubine Kia. She was unable to keep the pharaoh near her for long, and it was difficult for him to choose between two women. A warm welcome always awaited him from the former queen, but the ostentatious courtesy did not deceive the pharaoh. The previous relationship between the strong-willed and proud Nefertiti and Akhenaten no longer existed. But she managed to maintain power over him. There are versions that it was Nefertiti, demonstrating her statesmanship, who offered Ankhesenamon, their joint third daughter, as a wife to Akhenaten; according to other versions, it was the eldest daughter Meritaton.
After Akhenaten's death, their daughter was married to Tutankhamun, who moved the capital to Thebes. Egypt again began to worship Amun-ra and everything returned to normal. Only Nefertiti remained in Akhenaten, faithful to her husband’s ideas. She spent the rest of her life in exile. After the queen's death, at her request, she was buried in Akhenaten's tomb, but her mummy was never found. And the exact place of her burial is unknown.
However, her name, which meant “The Beautiful One has come,” is to this day the personification of all that is beautiful. A sculptural portrait of Queen Nefertiti, found at Amarna in 1912, as well as other delicate and poetic sketches created by Thutmes, the ancient master of Akhenaten, are kept in museums in Berlin and Cairo. In 1995, a sensational exhibition was held in Berlin that united the Egyptian collection, the center of which was Nefertiti and Akhenaten who met again.
Nefertiti became one of the most famous characters in the history of art, the personification of grace and tenderness, who discovered the emotional side of art during the reign of Akhenaten. The charm of the most beautiful queen gave artists an incredible opportunity to combine the beauty of art and life in one image.
The Queen of Ancient Egypt left behind many mysteries and secrets related to her life, which someone has yet to reveal.
ANCIENT EGYPT, an ancient state in Northeast Africa, in the lower reaches of the Nile River. The territory of Egypt is one of the oldest centers of civilization. The history of Ancient Egypt is usually divided into the periods of the Ancient (end of 4-3 thousand BC), Middle (before ... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary
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Queen of Sheba (Hebrew: מלכת שְׁבָא, Malkat Sheva) “Holy Makeda, Queen of Sheba” modern icon Gender: Female. Period of life: 10th century BC. e. Name in other languages... Wikipedia
The second great world civilization in terms of origin after Mesopotamia. Neolithic Egyptian cultures, familiar with agriculture, irrigation, and a sedentary rural lifestyle, developed ca. 5000 BC Probably around 3500 BC... ... Collier's Encyclopedia
EGYPT ANCIENT- the oldest state in the river valley. Nile, its territory extended from the Mediterranean in the north to the 1st cataract of the Nile in the south. The territory of the country was originally divided into 2 parts: Lower E. the Nile Delta and Upper E. a narrow fertile river valley, limited... ... Orthodox Encyclopedia
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In ancient Egyptian history, Queen Nefertiti is portrayed as an independent, ambitious woman who strives for power. Her bust, exhibited in the Egyptian collection of the New Museum in Berlin, is one of the most famous works in the world representing the era of ancient civilization. As part of the program for studying the history of Ancient Egypt and the role of women in the management of empires in the Middle East, the Harvard Research Institute (USA) conducted research in this area. Scientists have come to the conclusion that Nefertiti was perceived by the ancient Egyptians not only as the powerful co-ruler of the pharaoh. But also as a kind of living religious cult of beauty.
Nefertiti "is often presented in history as an independent figure with a reputation as a strong queen," explained Professor Williamson, a member of the Harvard University Middle Eastern History Conference. “However, I came across a completely different image of Nefertiti in the drawings of the tombs in Amarna, often hidden from the king. She is depicted on a hill next to her husband. As is known in Ancient Egypt, the pharaoh had unlimited power granted by heaven.” Amenhotep IV inherited the throne at a time when Egypt was rich and the military power of the empire extended far north to Syria and south to Sudan. He worshiped the sun cult of Ra, whose manifestation was known as Aten. When he became pharaoh, he received the name Akhenaten, which translated from ancient Egyptian means “he who comes into power for the Aten.”
He married Nefertiti, the daughter of a noble official, during the early years of his reign. Akhenaten introduced a new religion of worship of the only Aten in Ancient Egypt, banning all other cults. The funeral rites also changed. His policy was aimed at destroying the name and image of the cult of Amon. The Supreme Aten was represented as a man with the head of a hawk and the sun above his crown. Akhenaten added to this image the solar disk with rays emanating from it. The pharaoh built a new city for his family and the worship of the cult of Aten at Tell el-Amarna in the south of the state. Traditionally, the role of the queen was to provide support to her majestic husband. Their status was also associated with the cult of Maat - the progenitor of the entire universe. And Hathor, personifying beauty, fertility and fun, the patroness of lovers and mothers. “Through her magical power of fertility, she filled the king’s life with energy from space, thereby ensuring him eternal life,” the scientist believes. “Religious ceremonies in honor of women were carried out for the rebirth of the Universe, which the ancient Egyptians believed happened every day at dawn.”
Under the reign of Akhenaten, Nefertiti and their daughters took center stage in the rites of religious worship in Ancient Egypt. Nefertiti wore the crown of Hathor, a symbol of eternal beauty, youth and fertility. The image of Nefertiti was placed on the pharaoh's sarcophagus in place of Isis. Traditionally, Isis adorned the tombs of representatives of the royal dynasty, but at that time she was replaced by Nefertiti. Thus, the queen became the embodiment of the magical abilities of the cult of Isis.
According to a group of Egyptologists from Harvard University, the temple at Kom el-Nana, discovered in the 1980s, was dedicated to the cult of Nefertiti. During the research, thousands of sandstone fragments were found engraved with hieroglyphs of Ancient Egypt. Records confirm the fact that the temple next to the house of Aten was built for the queen. The size of the sculptures and drawings of Nefertiti is of great importance. In her temple of el-Nana, her image is significantly inferior to that of Akhenaten, demonstrating his superiority and subordination. Thus, the importance of the figure of the king in the political and religious life of ancient Egyptian society was emphasized.
After the reign of Akhenaten and Nefertiti ended, this city was deserted, the cult of worship of Aten alone was abandoned, and the buildings turned into ruins. The amazing story of the fate of Queen Nefertiti does not leave many people interested in the history of Ancient Egypt indifferent. For more than three thousand years she was not remembered, and her name was lost in history. However, in the last millennium, one of the French scientists F. Champoln was able to decipher the ancient writings of Egypt.
In the 20th century, the world learned about Nefertiti something that could have remained forever forgotten. An expedition of scientists from Germany in the early 40s of the last century, after excavations in Egypt, handed over the found objects for inspection by inspectors of the Antiquities Service. Among all the objects found, experts discovered an ordinary-looking stone block, in which experts eventually recognized the head of the queen. There is an opinion that several unscrupulous archaeologists tried to hide the ancient masterpiece from society, for which they were deprived of the right to participate in excavations in Egypt.
The name Nefertiti was rapidly gaining popularity, legends were formed about her beauty, and her personality became very famous. For centuries, no one except her contemporaries knew about her, and now, after 33 centuries, her name was recognized and discussed. There are not enough accurate facts preserved about Queen Nefertiti herself to speak about her biography with one hundred percent certainty. However, it is believed that Nefertiti was born in Mitania, where the famous Aryans lived, into a family of poor people. The year of her birth according to some sources is 1370 BC. Initially, her name was Taduchela, and as a twelve-year-old girl she ended up in the harem of Amenhotep III for a considerable fee to her father. After the death of the pharaoh, according to ancient Egyptian principles, the entire harem was inherited by his successor Amentohep IV. The splendor of the girl did not leave the young ruler indifferent, who became known as Akhenaten, and he took her as his legal wife and she was able to rule Egypt together with her husband.
Queen Nefertiti actively helped her lover in state affairs; her strong character influenced many of her husband’s actions. Nefertiti was also influential in the external relations of other states with Egypt. In her marriage to Akhenaten, the beauty gave birth to six daughters. The couple waited for a long time and in vain for an heir, and in the end the pharaoh decides to enter into a new marriage with a girl from a simple family, whose name was Kiya. The new wife pleased Akhenaten with a son, who is known to us as Pharaoh Tutankhamun. Queen Nefertiti was practically expelled; little Tutankhamun was given to her to raise. Soon, a year later, Akhenaten decides to bring Nefertiti back. Their relationship, as history knows, was not as warm and reverent as it was before. Soon Nefertiti decides to teach her daughter the secrets of love and introduced her to Akhenaten as his wife, that is, the father married his own daughter. Such traditions undoubtedly seem unusual to modern people, but we are talking about ancient Egyptian traditions that were acceptable in their time. The practice of marriage between siblings in Ancient Egypt was popular; noble individuals did not want incest, but their family, naturally, could not last long.
After the death of the pharaoh, Nefertiti began to rule Egypt independently, her royal name became Smenkhkare. Her reign lasted about 5 years and was tragically cut short by murderous conspirators. There is an assumption that the queen's body was disfigured, Nefertiti's tomb was destroyed and devastated by thieves. Surely, if the circumstances of death were different, scientists would be able to provide more accurate information about the queen to modern man. The queen's appearance can be described from existing data, such as sculptures and drawings. According to them, Nefertiti was small in stature with a well-proportioned figure, her grace remaining unchanged even after the birth of six children. Her face was extraordinary for most Egyptian women; she had neat arched bright black eyebrows, her lips were full, and her eyes were colorfully expressive. The beauty of Queen Nefertiti could cause envy among many girls in modern times. There are also controversial rumors about the beauty’s character. Some argue that she had a tough and obstinate character, her disposition was more similar to that of a man. Others, on the contrary, insist on the grace and humility of Nefertiti, on the fact that the queen was unusually prudent and educated for that time, her intelligent speeches helped her husband in governing the state. There is also an opinion that what attracted the great pharaoh to this amazing woman : her pleasant appearance, her sound mind and wisdom or ability to love. Akhenaten could not forget about the beauty even after the appearance of his young wife and did not part with her almost until his death. The bust of Nefertiti, this famous work of art, has been studied by scientists many times. More recently, researchers discovered that many of the queen's facial features did not correspond to reality. Researchers from Germany decide to unveil the queen’s new appearance. Using computer technology, scientists examined the hidden features of the girl’s face under the retouching paint that was applied to the legendary bust.
As it turned out, the bust of Queen Nefertiti had a hump on her nose, her lips were not as large as depicted, her cheekbones were not as expressive and she had dimples on her cheeks. The invited specialist corrected the queen’s bust, namely: he made her gaze deeper, the cheekbone area became less protruding. As is obvious, the changes that occurred to the face of the sculpture were more negative than positive. The image of the sculpture itself is missing an eye. It is assumed that the ancient Egyptians believed that when creating a sculpture, the image of both eyes meant that the soul of the person depicted was moving to another world. There is also an opinion that when depicting the pharaohs, their second eye was missing for the possibility of their rebirth.
