21 Facts About Nefertari

Nefertari, known as Nefertari Meritmut, was an Egyptian queen and the first of the Great Royal Wives of Ramesses the Great.

Nefertari is one of the best known Egyptian queens, among such women as Cleopatra, Nefertiti, and Hatshepsut, and one of the most prominent not known or thought to have reigned in her own right.

Nefertari was highly educated and able to both read and write hieroglyphs, a very rare skill at the time.

Nefertari used these skills in her diplomatic work, corresponding with other prominent royals of the time.

Nefertari's lavishly decorated tomb, QV66, is one of the largest and most spectacular in the Valley of the Queens.

Nefertari means 'beautiful companion' and Meritmut means 'Beloved of the goddess Mut'.

Nefertari first appears as the wife of Ramesses II in official scenes during the first year of Ramesses II.

Nefertari appears in a scene next to a year 1 stela.

Nefertari is depicted shaking two sistra before Taweret, Thoth, and Nut.

Nefertari is an important presence in the scenes from Luxor and Karnak.

Nefertari has erected for you the mast of the -framework.

Nefertari appears as Ramesses II's consort on many statues in both Luxor and Karnak.

In Western Thebes, Nefertari is mentioned on a statuary group from Deir el-Bahari, a stela and blocks from Deir el-Medina.

Nefertari is depicted in statue form at the great temple, but the small temple is dedicated to Nefertari and the goddess Hathor.

Nefertari is shown at the inaugural festivities at Abu Simbel in year 24.

Inside the temple Nefertari is depicted on one of the pillars in the great pillared hall worshipping Hathor of Ibshek.

Nefertari is shown twice accompanying her husband in Triumph scenes.

Nefertari wears a long sheet dress and she is depicted with a long wig, Hathoric cow horns, the solar disk, and tall feathers mounted on a modius.

Nefertari is shown for instance offering to a cow in a papyrus thicket, offering before Khnum, Satis, and Anuket, the triad of Elephantine, and offering to Mut and Hathor.

The tomb of Nefertari, QV66 is one of the largest in the Valley of the Queens.

Nefertari can be seen wearing Greek silver earrings with a labrys design in one of the portraits.