Who is Queen Nefertari?
Queen Nefertari is one of Egypt’s greatest queens, she was a member of the 19th dynasty in the New Kingdom (1550–1070 BC) and the beloved main wife of the great Pharaoh Ramses II, A.K.A. Ramses the Great (1303–1213 BC). She was the favorite Queen of the King and his first wife, he married her before he set foot on the throne of Egypt. She was not a king’s daughter, but she was a woman of true nobility. The king married her when she was 13 years old, while he was 15 years old. Ramses has around 200 children, but only six are from Nefertari: four sons, Amun-her-Khepeshef, Pareherwenemef, Meriatum, and Meryre. And two daughters, Meritamen and Henuttawy.
The Best Titles of Queen Nefertari
Queen Nefertari is the symbol of beauty in Egypt, Nefertari means the beautiful companion believer of Mut. Plus, she has many titles like Sweet of Love, Bride of God, Lady of the Two Lands, King’s Great Wife, and God’s Wife.
When Did Queen Nefertari Die?
She died in 1256 B.C. at the age of around 40 or 50 years old. Ramses II built her the most beautiful and largest tomb in the Valley of the Queens. Her tomb is a true example of masterful decoration and a pure reflection of the importance of women during ancient Egyptian civilization. It was decorated in enchanting colors and well-preserved wall paintings of her usual daily life, poetry, and holy text from the Book of the Dead. Her mummy and sarcophagus were stolen by tomb raiders but the Egyptian museum still contains some remains of her tomb.
Temple of Nefertari in Abu Simbel, Queen Nefertari
Ramses II showcased his love and devotion to Nefertari by building her a temple in Abu Simbel Temples, just one hundred meters away from his grand temple, the smallest one that was dedicated to Hathor (the goddess of joy, love, and happiness), which shows a great statue for her, Ramses, and the gods. You can witness this majestic monument during a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan.
