Princess Meritaten the daughter of Nefertiti and Akhenaten

Princess Meritaten is the first daughter of the famous Egyptian King Akhenaten by his Great Royal Wife, Queen Nefertiti.

She was a princess and queen of ancient Egypt at the end of the golden age of the Eighteenth Dynasty. 

She was likely born early in her father’s revolutionary religious reign and is one of Pharaoh Akhenaten’s daughters whose images were clearly and frequently depicted in Egyptian temples and tombs during the Amarna period. 

In this article, we will talk about who Princess Meritaten the daughter of Nefertiti and Akhenaten was and what this important princess’s role was in maintaining the stability of rule during a difficult transitional period.

Who was Princess Meritaten?

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Princess Meritaten the daughter of Nefertiti and Akhenaten was born approximately in the second year of her controversial father Akhenaten’s reign. She was given this name because the word ‘Merit’ means ‘beloved’ and ‘Aten’ is the name of the god her father worshipped. 

She is one of Akhenaten’s six daughters whose name was frequently mentioned in diplomatic correspondence, such as the Amarna Letters and the most depicted and artistically represented in the tombs, monuments and Egyptian temples dating back to that period. 

Meritaten later married Smenkhkare, who ruled for a short and mysterious period after her father.

Meritaten then became his principal royal wife and was given the title “Great Royal Wife”.

The royal upbringing of Princess Meritaten in Thebes and Akhenaten

Princess Meritaten grew up in the early years of her father Akhenaten’s reign in the traditional capital city of Egypt, Thebes.

She might have initially been named Merit-Amun after the principal god Amun-Ra. 

However, when her royal family moved to the new capital built by her father, Akhenaten, now known as Tell EL-Amarna, she was named Meritaten to affirm the new religion.

This means ‘Beloved Daughter of Aten’ or simply ‘Beloved of Aten’. 

She is one of Pharaoh Akhenaten’s daughters most depicted and represented in the inscriptions, monuments and Egyptian temples remaining from that period.

Princess Meritaten likely moved with her family to the new capital at an early age. 

In the fifth year of Akhenaten’s reign, Merit Aten’s image appeared prominently on several boundary stelae that were placed to define the limits of the new capital. She was also depicted on wooden boxes that were found in Tutankhamun’s tomb which contained personal items such as fine linen clothing.

Meritaten role in the royal court during the Amarna period

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It is believed that Princess Meritaten played an important and increasing role in the royal court during the Amarna period, especially in the final years of her father’s reign.

She might have undertaken diplomatic roles or some social and religious reforms on behalf of her parents, enhancing her personal image as a strong future queen who has potential influence in the state. 

Furthermore, when she married, she supported her husband Smenkhkare, who likely valued her and presented her royally beside him.

She appeared with him officially in many royal celebrations and rituals and religious rites associated with the worship of Aten.

Meritaten marriage to Smenkhkare

Princess Meritaten is considered one of the prominent female figures of that period and perhaps one of the most beautiful ladies in Upper Egypt as depicted in some statues.

It is said that her beauty might have surpassed that of her mother, Queen Nefertiti, who was famous for her beauty. 

Princess Meritaten the daughter of Nefertiti and Akhenaten married the mysterious Pharaoh Smenkhkare, who immediately succeeded Akhenaten and she was given the title “Great Royal Wife” to confirm her status.

She was clearly depicted with her husband in the tomb of the vizier Meryre II in Amarna. 

Princess Meritaten likely took over the duties and role of her mother, Queen Nefertiti, after her mysterious disappearance from the scene and assisted her husband, supporting him in managing the affairs of state during his short reign.

Did Meritaten rule Egypt under the name Neferneferuaten?

There is considerable debate among Egyptologists regarding this matter, but some believe that Meritaten ruled Egypt as an actual pharaoh for a brief period after the death of her husband Smenkhkare, possibly under the throne name Neferneferuaten. 

She might have had an important potential role in ruling the country and made attempts at many important reforms in Egypt in preparation for the return of the traditional religion.

Others believe that her husband or her father Akhenaten was the one who established the cult of the god Aten which led to radical changes in Egyptian religious and political life. 

As for the name Neferneferuaten, it was a name that was also used earlier to refer to Nefertiti and perhaps Meritaten used it later as a royal name. However, it is also a name used in religious texts associated with Akhenaten’s reign and refers to the uniqueness and beauty of the god Aten, a name associated only with the royal family and the god.

Princess Meritaten role in maintaining the stability of rule

Queen Nefertiti gave birth to Princess Meritaten as her first daughter in the second year of her husband Akhenaten’s reign.

She also bore five other girls. However, Princess Meritaten, as the eldest daughter, held a special position and was perhaps the most beautiful, cunning and politically influential among them which possibly qualified her to assume the reins and role of her mother, Queen Nefertiti, after her disappearance. 

She potentially contributed significantly to maintaining the stability of rule during the difficult transitional period after Akhenaten’s death.

She might have ruled Egypt with her husband or alone for a short period.

During this reign, she might have implemented many important changes in preparation for the next phase.

What was Meritaten role in the Aten worship rituals?

As the eldest daughter of Pharaoh Akhenaten and his royal wife Nefertiti, Princess Meritaten certainly participated actively and primarily in the worship rituals of the god Aten alongside her parents. 

These rituals typically included singing religious hymns, offering sacrifices, flowers and incense and ritual dancing, to express the extent of love, veneration and appreciation for the god as the source of life and presenting symbolic gifts to the god on open altars.

Princess Meritaten the daughter of Nefertiti and Akhenaten is considered one of the most famous princesses and queens of ancient Egypt during the important Amarna period. She was given many titles, including Beloved of Aten, possibly ‘Beautiful of Beauties,’ and Great Queen.

She played an important, though still somewhat mysterious, role in maintaining the stability of rule in Egypt during a critical transitional period

FAQs

Was Meritaten the legitimate heir to the throne after Akhenaten?

The matter is complex. As the eldest daughter, she had a potential right, but she married his immediate successor, Smenkhkare.

She herself, possibly as Princess Meritaten or under the name Neferneferuaten, might have assumed the throne very briefly immediately after the death of her husband or father Akhenaten and before Tutankhamun.

Who was Akhenaten’s wife?

The famous Queen Nefertiti was the Great Royal Wife and principal wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, although he had other secondary wives.

Who was the last pharaoh of Egypt?

The last native Egyptian pharaoh of Egypt was Nectanebo II of the Thirtieth Dynasty.

Who came first, Nefertiti or Cleopatra?

Queen Nefertiti, who lived in the 14th century BC, came many centuries before Queen Cleopatra VII, who lived in the 1st century BC.