Daughter of Disaster: Unsung Ankhesenamun

We have all watched numerous documentaries on the lives of Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and Tutankhamun. These prominent players from the eighteenth dynasty of the New Kingdom in ancient Egypt have also been the subject of countless publications over the years. All this has served to keep the mystique of the Amarna royal family alive in public consciousness.

However, another key figure from this period is either ignored or given little prominence in most narratives. Even if this lady finds a mention in mainstream literature or docu-dramas, it is usually a “blink and you’ll miss her” appearance. Further, she is generally revealed to us in fictional and kitschy Hollywoodized portrayals in myriad ways―a terrified and hapless youngster; a power-hungry murderess; or a loathsome vixen who will stop at nothing to achieve her devious ends.

Very few characterizations concentrate solely on the real person. But then, with irrefutable facts hard to come by, the imagination tends to run wild; so any soap opera can be built around an ancient individual such as she was. In my opinion, this once-powerful queen of Egypt has suffered vastly at our hands, and deserves a far better study of her personage.

BELOVED DAUGHTER

Ankhesenamun managed to prevent a dynasty from imploding on itself, by offering herself in marriage to a succession of pharaohs over nearly a decade-and-a-half.

Born Ankhesenpaaten in regnal Year Five or Six of her enigmatic father, pharaoh Akhenaten, this girl would shape the fortunes of her family, and ensure that they consolidated their hold on the throne against tremendous odds. She was the third of six daughters of the heretic ruler and his enchanting wife, Nefertiti; and was probably born in the new capital Akhetaten―‘Horizon of the Aten’ (modern el-Amarna).