Thabiso Sekhula
African Queens: Scrolla.Africa is showcasing the lives of seven African Queens from across history whose remarkable lives went on to shape the world today.
When you search for her name on the internet, over 11 million results come up. With countless books and songs written about her, Queen Nefertiti of Egypt is undoubtedly one of the most famous women who ever ruled.
And I say ruled because as much as this has been disputed, there is great evidence to support that her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten, went to great lengths to show Nefertiti as an equal.
There are hieroglyphs showing Nefertiti engaging in acts which were usually reserved for pharaohs, such as smiting down enemies and leading prayers to the sun disc, Aten.
No other Egyptian Queen had more power and authority, showing that even her husband recognised more than just her beauty, acknowledging her as an equal who could rule with him.
Nefertiti’s Era is seen as the richest in all of Egyptian history and some scholars believe that she ruled briefly after her husband’s death. A rebel before his demise, she became even more badass after he died.
Shortly afterwards, her name disappeared from the records. This, however, is not necessarily because she died. There is a theory that she changed her title to rule under the name Smenkhkare, the pharaoh who succeeded Akhenaten.
Two of Nefertiti’s daughters would later become Queens of Egypt.
Although little is known about her young life and parents, Nefertiti certainly made a big entrance when she married the pharaoh. It is said that after Akhenaten ascended to the throne, Nefertiti took on the additional name of “Neferneferuaten” which means – “Beautiful are the beauties of Aten, a Beautiful Woman has come.”
On 6 December 1913, a team led by German archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt discovered Nefertiti’s bust amongst other artefacts during a dig in Egypt. The Germans split their findings with the Egyptian government and thus the bust ended up in Germany. Even Hitler became obsessed with the bust.
Throughout the 20th century, the artefact remained in German hands. And Hitler is quoted as saying “I will never relinquish the head of the Queen”.
To this day, it remains in Germany at Berlin’s Neues Museum.
It is one of the most copied works of ancient Egypt and an iconic symbol of feminine beauty and power.
Image source:Historicavele
