The Queens of Ramesses II 拉美西斯二世的皇后们.doc

The Queens of Ramesses IIby Jimmy Dunn Ramesses II had eight royal wives, all of whom are known expect for the last, a Hittite princess. The others were Nefertari, Istnofret, Bint-Anath, Aerytamun, Nebettawy, Henutmire and Maathomeferure. However, in ancient Egypt, it was unusual to record much information about queens, and today, even though at least Nefertari is known world wide, we actually know almost nothing about her. What we do know, is that by these wives, he may have fathered one hundred or more children. Ramesses II probably married the first two principal wives at least ten years prior to the death of his father, Seti I, before Ramesses II actually ascended the throne.? He may have been a co-regent that that time, and he probably presented his father with probably at least five grandsons two granddaughters before Seti Is death by these principal wives. There may have even been ten to fifteen more children by minor wives.. His first two principal wives were Nefertari and Istnofret. They both mothered important children by Ramesses, and probably had somewhat different duties at court. Even though many people know Nefertari best, because of her wonderful tomb in the Valley of the Queens and her temple at Abu Simbel, she may have not been that much more important then Istnofret. If there were rivalries between these queens or others, we really have no evidence as proof. Nefertari If we mention the famous women of Egypt, including Hatshepsut and Cleopatra along with them we would have to name Nefertari, if for no other reason then her well known tomb. We know a great deal about Queens Hatchepsut and Cleopatra, but of course they were pharaohs. It is very possible that Nefertari grew up as the daughter of a nobleman in Thebes. One of Nefertaris names was Mery-en-Mut, which means, Beloved of Mut. As the wife of Amun, Mut was part of the Theban triad. It is interesting to note that post references to Nefertari come from Upper (southern) Egy