Collections Spotlight: Queen Nefertiti

April 8, 2022

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By Hannah Maxwell

2012.02.034- Queen Nefertiti Bust

Many theories and speculation tend to surround ancient civilizations due to incomplete evidence, multiple interpretations, or even just plain confusion. One thing is for sure: Queen Nefertiti was as mysterious as she was powerful. No one is certain of where exactly she was from. Speculations say her home was Syria, and she  traveled to marry. Other scholars believe she was the daughter of an Egyptian official named Ay, who was famous for advising Pharaohs and eventually becoming one himself. In any case, by the time she was 15, Nefertiti was well established in Egypt and was about to marry up-and-coming ruler, Amenhotep IV.

Amenhotep IV, more famously known as Akhenaten, was an interesting Pharaoh. He seemed to enjoy change, and even switched the major deity for Egyptians during his reign to a god known as Aten, and thus introduced a new era of religion. Additionally, he depicted himself differently from the traditional Pharaoh, and had many paintings of himself that were more life-like and detailed than other Pharaohs dared to be. Although these changes happen over time, it was certainly a shock from the all-powerful, order-driven society that Pharaohs were usually so keen to protect. After all, how is order maintained when the one major deity is switched out so quickly? Will the old one become angry about being replaced? And if a Pharaoh is god on earth, then how could one look so human? These were the staggering questions that Akhenaten had to answer. He did well in maintaining order, in no small part due to his wife Nefertiti. 

Due to the exact date of marriage being unknown,  it is unclear if Akhenaten was already ruling Egypt by the time he took Nefertiti as his queen. Nonetheless, their marriage would mark an all new era for Egypt for several reasons. Firstly, Nefertiti was often doing the duties usually left to the Pharaoh. There are depictions of her slaying foes or giving offerings to the Egyptian god Aten. This may have been the wish of Akhenaten because of his more realistic depictions of himself, instead of an idealized version most pharaohs prefered. Most pharaohs would want to be seen as sole rulers; Akhenaten goes to great lengths to show his wife as a co-ruler. Nefertiti had the special ability of having power and being recognized for it. Most scholars believe that Nefertiti really did wield much more power than other pharaoh wives, simply because these depictions exist. 

Nefertiti and Akhenaten also seemed to be much more affectionate with each other. Most Pharaohs would have preferred purely powerful paintings over ones that admitted things like love. Nefertiti and her husband once again proved the exception, and were often seen riding chariots together or even kissing (a truly rare thing to see!). Indeed, Nefertiti seemed to have a fairly good life in a time of prosperity for Egypt. She had six daughters during their 12 year reign together, and one of her daughters would eventually be a Pharaoh’s wife as well. 

Then, one day, she disappears from records. It’s hard to say what truthfully happened with so little evidence. One theory is that she succumbed to what her daughters did. Indeed, one of her daughters was confirmed to have died during Akhenaten’s reign, and three others disappeared, also presumed dead. Perhaps their mother followed suit. Others think that Nefertiti took on another name, and actually became a co-regent named Neferneferuaten. This would make her a legal equal to her husband, which at least makes sense for her ability and previous experience. She then might have been the ruling party until the next Pharaoh, but no one is completely sure. 

Despite so many mysteries about her life, Queen Nefertiti was one of the most powerful women of Egypt, and in some ways, changed the empire forever. Her ability to lead in religion and wartime alike was truly unlike any woman before her, and even her very look stays iconic to this day. Her bust, with her iconic crown and regal features, has been considered a symbol of beauty since its discovery. The Museum holds a bust that is speculated to be a copy of Nefertiti’s many busts, with the crown and facial features striking in similarity. With so many examples of Queen Nefertiti, it seems interesting that her death was never officially recorded. However, her real power and legacy will be remembered forever.