Nefertiti and Cleopatra, Famous and Powerful but Very Different
Egyptian ancient civilization was born along the Nile River and lived for more than 3,000 years. Not only famous for the pyramids at Giza staying there with dignity reminding the wonderful past, Egypt is also famous for its pharaohs. Nefertiti and Cleopatra important figures of Egypt, famous for their beauties and deeds appear remarkable in many parts of the great ancient history. Staying in front of each other these queens have so many differences but so many things in common too. Each lady has her own personality and beauty and did great things for her country and people. But what do modern and ancient people think about them? Do they respect and admire them the same?
Queen Nefertiti was much more than a pretty woman. Her role and importance of the 18th dynasty during her husband’s, Amenhotep IV, ruling or Amarna period in Egypt is undeniable. However, not much information has come from antiquity to our hands. Her being or not of a royal blood is not ensured. Even though, the suggestion that Nefertiti was of a nonroyal birth and that her parents were “members of the court circle” (Civilizations of the World, The Human Adventure, p. 29) dominate. It is also suggested that she was a cousin of the pharaoh Amenhotep IV, later Akhenaton.
Nefertiti was married to Amenhotep and had six daughters together. The pharaoh loved her very much and was influenced a lot by her too. Her charismatic beauty made her husband call her “sweet of love”, “possessed of charm” and the official recognition as the “exquisite beauty of the sun-disk” (Civilizations of the World, The Human Adventure, p.29). Even her name means “a beautiful woman has come”. During the reign of Amenhotep complete reforms were made in the fields of politics and religion. But the pharaoh was not very interested in foreign relationship and there were revolts in the occupied territories like Syria and Palestine. What he became famous about was changes in religion. In a time when people in Egypt used to believe in
Queen Nefertiti was much more than a pretty woman. Her role and importance of the 18th dynasty during her husband’s, Amenhotep IV, ruling or Amarna period in Egypt is undeniable. However, not much information has come from antiquity to our hands. Her being or not of a royal blood is not ensured. Even though, the suggestion that Nefertiti was of a nonroyal birth and that her parents were “members of the court circle” (Civilizations of the World, The Human Adventure, p. 29) dominate. It is also suggested that she was a cousin of the pharaoh Amenhotep IV, later Akhenaton.
Nefertiti was married to Amenhotep and had six daughters together. The pharaoh loved her very much and was influenced a lot by her too. Her charismatic beauty made her husband call her “sweet of love”, “possessed of charm” and the official recognition as the “exquisite beauty of the sun-disk” (Civilizations of the World, The Human Adventure, p.29). Even her name means “a beautiful woman has come”. During the reign of Amenhotep complete reforms were made in the fields of politics and religion. But the pharaoh was not very interested in foreign relationship and there were revolts in the occupied territories like Syria and Palestine. What he became famous about was changes in religion. In a time when people in Egypt used to believe in
Bibliography: • Civilizations of the World, The Human Adventure, Volume one to the late 1600s • Civilizations of the World, The Human Adventure (the other edition) • Bella, Vivante. “From Matrons to Female Kings- Women Who Ruled from Home and from the Throne: Women Who Ruled,” from Daily Life of the Daughters of Gaia. Greenwood Daily Life Online: Exploring Everyday Life Past and Present.