Fragment of painting from the tomb of Kynebu Thebes, Egypt, 20th Dynasty, around 1145 BC

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EA 37994

Ancient Egypt and Sudan

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A Queens Tour

Queen Ahmose-Nefertari

Queen Ahmose-Nefertari was the mother of King Amenhotep I. She probably ruled for him as his regent when he was a young boy. This portrait of her was painted on a tomb wall 400 years after she died, when she was being worshipped as a god in the local area of Thebes. Her skin has been painted black because black skin meant new life to the Egyptians.

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There was no word for 'Queen' in ancient Egypt, as female rulers were so unusual; instead they were known as "king's wife". Both Ahmose-Nefertari and Amenhotep were made into goddesses after their deaths, an unusual occurrence at the time, and one that showed Ahmose-Nefertari's importance. The cobra on Ahmose-Nefertari's crown and the flail in her hand indicate her royal status.