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Mysterious Life of Akhnaton & Nefertiti

Mysterious Life of Akhnaton & Nefertiti. For more than 32 centuries, Nefertiti’s existence was buried beneath Egypt’s sands. By 1900, deciphered hieroglyphs from far-off Egyptian borders told of a gentle prophet king and his beautiful queen.

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Mysterious Life of Akhnaton & Nefertiti

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  1. Mysterious Life of Akhnaton & Nefertiti

  2. For more than 32 centuries, Nefertiti’s existence was buried beneath Egypt’s sands. By 1900, deciphered hieroglyphs from far-off Egyptian borders told of a gentle prophet king and his beautiful queen. All major modern religions are based upon Akhnaton & Nefertiti’s legacy of monotheism. Introduction • Akhnaton & Nefertiti were erased from the history of Egypt and the roster of Kings and Queens of Egypt by priests after their deaths.

  3. Akhnaton & Nefertiti Amenhotep IV • Second son of Amenhotep III and Queen Tiy. • Appears ignored by family. • Not in family portraits. • Not taken to public events. • May have had Marfan Syndrome • Ascended to the throne in 1352 BC. • Became the tenth king of the 18th Dynasty and reigned for 16 years. • He is famous for his religious reforms of implementing monotheism over the existing polytheism.

  4. Amenhotep IV Vision • Was given a vision of a sun disc between two mountains. • Felt God was guiding him to make a change. • He was shown the God Aton as the Sun Disk or The Light. • Guided to build a city between two mountains. • Summarized his belief with repeated expression: “Living in Maat.” • This means the king is the personification of truth or justice.

  5. Amenhotep IV Vision • Moved the city to new location and called it Akhetaton. • Shows celebration of new city.

  6. Akhetaton the City of Aton • Ahketaton was the new city dedicated to Aton. • Used a new architectural style. • Built with smaller blocks and mud bricks. • Worship took place in open sanctuaries, not in closed buildings. • Akhetaton was to replace Thebes as the “navel” of Egypt.

  7. Akhnaton & family worshipping Aton Akhnaton’s Vision • New religion was focused on worshipping Aton – the sun god. • Nefertiti changed her name to Neferneferuaten-Nefertiti. • Amenhotep IV changes his name to Akhnaton in reverence of Aton during the fifth year of his reign.

  8. Akhnaton’s vision in Art • Akhnaton and Nefertiti are always depicted together. • Instituted a new art style. • More true to life forms are shown. • Relaxed views of family life are new images to Egyptian art • New art style is called the Amarna Era.

  9. Floor tile Tile detail Akhnaton’s vision in Art • His vision went beyond showing only people. • Tiles imitated life and the beauty of nature.

  10. Motif of mourning their daughter. Unraveling of the Empire • Their daughter dies during 13th year of reign. • Shortly after, other family members disappear from hieroglyphs: • Akhnaton’s mother. • Akhnaton’s lesser wife, Kiya. • Nefertiti disappears shortly after. • Akhnaton dies in 1332 BC.

  11. Who was Nefertiti? • Parentage is unclear and common beliefs are in two main lines of thought. • Her father, Ay, was a general under Ahmenotep III, and became pharaoh after Tutenkamen, or • She was the daughter of Dushratta, the King of Mitanni, and thus, close cousin to Akhnaton. • No clear ideas on who her mother was. • Tey, Ay’s chief wife? • Possibly from Akhim.

  12. Who was Nefertiti? • 1912 – a bust of Nefertiti is found at Amarna in near-perfect condition. • Now displayed in Berlin, this bust is how the world has come to know her.

  13. The Beauty of Nefertiti • The term “nefer” is often used in Egypt to depict “beauty”, but also “goodness”. • The nefer hieroglyph is depicted by the heart and trachea (or esophagus), as is shown on the statue of Merytamun (daughter of Rameses II). • Nefertiti means “The Beautiful One Has Arrived”.

  14. The Power of Nefertiti • There is much substantial proof that she had gained the power of the pharaoh: • Reliefs show her aboard a boat wearing her tall crown in a pharaonic pose smitting an enemy. • She is shown in this pose in four symmetrical booths of ancient ships. • She is shown as a trampling sphinx. • She is shown in this pose twice. • She is shown wearing her distinctive crown and brandishing a scimitar as a king would. • She is shown in this pose twice. • She is shown alone with her two oldest daughters officiating at the altars of Aton in a temple relief in Karnak.

  15. Motif showing Akhnaton sharing rule with another king. Who shares rule with Akhnaton? • In the few years before the end of his reign, Akhnaton rules with co-regent named Smenkhkara. • Could this have been Nefertiti in disguise? • Was it Akhnaton’s son by a lesser wife? • Was it Amenhotep III’s son by a lesser wife? • The debate still rages on.

  16. Profile of Nefertiti bust. Computer reconstruction of mummy “Younger Lady” Nefertiti’s Mummy • Mummies of Akhnaton and Nefertiti have never been positively identified. • Two mummies found in tomb of Amenhotep II. Could Nefertiti possibly be one of them? • “Younger Lady” mummy shows signs of having been royalty. • Comparisons of measurements of mummy and Nefertiti bust are identical.

  17. Nefertiti’s Influence in Modern Times Paula Abdul at the 1990 Emmy Awards • Nefertiti bust shows red lips, painted eyelids, and accentuated eyebrows. • This has set the standard for women today. • From 1920’s to present day, women wear red lipstick, sculpted eyebrows, and eye makeup such as eye liner and eye shadow.

  18. Conclusion • Akhnaton’s legacy has remained in spite of efforts to erase all knowledge of his existence and reforms to Egyptian life. • Monotheistic belief with light as the central theme. • Outdoor and open sanctuaries for worship and offerings. • Architectural style of construction • More true to life images in art inspired by life and nature. • Nefertiti is most known for her timeless beauty. • She is also known as a loving wife, strong partner and worthy successor of Akhnaton. • She shared Akhnaton’s vision of monotheism. • Had the strength to convert their beliefs into action. • Helped manage the movement of the capital to a new location. • Helped build this new city in honor of Aton. • Her role in the new religion is so central she is depicted as a priest. • It is speculated that she was the originator of the cult of Aton.

  19. Artwork Inspired by Nefertiti By Becca Richards

  20. Artwork Inspired by Nefertiti By Michael Bull

  21. Artwork Inspired by Nefertiti By Jeannine Klos

  22. Artwork Inspired by Nefertiti “Secrets of the Past” By Jeannine Klos

  23. Artwork Inspired by Nefertiti “The Beautiful One Has Arrived” by Olga Deulofeu

  24. Nefertiti Project by: Please click the icon to view full report with more artwork and images. • Terry Orlikoski – research and group coordinator • Gabe Moretti – research and report editor • Ronda Mitchell – presentation • Brian Mitchell- presentation & technical support • Laura Lin -- research • Rebecca Richards – original artwork and research • Olga Deulofeu – original artwork and research • Jeannine Klos – original artwork • Michael Bull – original artwork and research

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