Did Akhenaten (Akhenaton) Suffer from Marfan syndrome
The author: Professor Yasser Metwally
While Akhenaten led a reform on the Ancient Egyptian religion, he also revolutionized Egyptian art. He broke the conventions of Egyptian art by showing himself in warm family scenes with his wife and children, and portraying himself and the rest of the royal family in a much more human and naturalistic manner than any of his predescessors had. The most peculiar result of this art reform, however, was the portrayal of the physical characteristics of the pharaoh himself.
Figure 1. Akhenaten odd appearance
In sculptures and paintings of Akhenaten, he is shown as having a long, slender neck, a long face with a sharp chin, narrow, almond-shaped eyes, full lips, long arms and fingers, rounded thighs and buttocks, a soft belly, and enlarged breasts. His odd appearance was particularly prominent in art from the early part of the reign. One early statue portrays the king in the nude and without genitalia of any kind.
These features have puzzled archaeologists since Akhenaten was first discovered in the early nineteenth century, and people have offered many explanations as to why he looked this way.
Figure 1. Akhenaten odd appearance
One of the early theories was that Akhenaten was actually a woman disguised as a man, and was following in Queen Hatshepsut’s footsteps, but this idea has been abandoned (Aldred, C., 1988, pg. 231). The theory that is most in favor at this time is that Akhenaten suffered from some kind of illness or syndrome which caused his odd appearance. The two most likely possibilities proposed in recent years are Froehlich’s Syndrome (Aldred, C. 1988, Pg. 232), and Marfan’s Syndrome (Redford, D., 1994), (Burridge, A.,1995). This discussion will examine both disorders in detail.
Froehlich’s Syndrome
The most popular belief is that Akhenaten suffered from Froehlich’s Syndrome, an endocrine disorder found most commonly in men.
The endocrine system consists of the glands in the body which produce and release into the bloodstream certain chemicals known as hormones. Hormones regulate various bodily functions, like glucose and insulin levels in the blood, growth, salt metabolism, and sexuality. The main endocrine gland is the pituitary, located in the forebrain. The pituitary gland is divided into two parts: the anterior pituitary, which regulates the activities of the other glands in the system and is also responsible for the release of growth hormone, and the posterior pituitary, which regulates water and salt metabolism. The pituitary is regulated in turn by the hypothalamus, which also regulates hunger and various other biological functions. (Weiten, W., 1995).
Froehlich’s Syndrome can be caused by a variety things, the most common being a tumor in either the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus (Aldred, C. 1988, Pg. 232), (Brittanica, Vol. 5, 1992, Pg.19).
If Froehlich’s Syndrome occurs as a tumor only in the pituitary gland, then it mainly seems to affect the secondary sex characteristics in men. The secondary sex characteristics include body hair and deepening of the voice. The reason that Froehlich’s Sydrome causes this lack of sexual development is that the gonads or sex glands (the testes, in men) don’t function properly as a result of the impaired functioning of the pituitary. Froehlich’s Syndrome also results in infertility, a lack of sex drive, and feminine fat distribution (Aldred, C. 1988, Pg. 232).
If Froehlich’s Syndrome occurs as a tumor in the hypothalamus, then hunger metabolism is affected, and obesity occurs (Brittanica, Vol. 5, 1992, Pg. 19). Since the hypothalamus regulates the pituitary gland, it then also has the effect of stunting sexual development. Stunted physical growth occurs in either situation. Diabetes can also occur along with Froehlich’s Syndrome. Sometimes the pituitary will become overactive and cause an overgrown jaw and skull deformities (Aldred, C. 1988, Pg. 232).
How well does this fit Akhenaten? Overall, not too well. Some of the characteristics associated with Froehlich’s Syndrome seem to fit his apparent peculiarities (such as the feminine figure and the prominent jaw), but many of the main symptoms of the illness do not. Akhenaten, despite the fact that he is shown as a eunuch in some of the artwork from his time, seemed to be quite fertile (we know that he fathered six children, possibly more), did not seem to show stunted physical growth, and was definitely not obese. Another symptom of Froehlich’s is severe mental retardation (Burridge, A., 1995), and it is apparent from literary works by the king that he was not at all retarded.
Therefore, it is unlikely that Akhenaten had Froehlich’s Syndrome, and historians have turned to another option: Marfan’s Syndrome.
Marfan’s Syndrome:
The most recently suggested possibility for Akhenaten’s supposed pathology is a genetic disorder known as Marfan’s Syndrome. This is a more likely possibility than Froehlich’s Syndrome, as it does not affect intelligence or fertility (Burridge, A., 1995), (Redford, D., 1994).
Marfan’s Syndrome was first described by a French doctor named Antione B. Marfan, who reported that some of his patients had especially long fingers (he called this arachnodactyly, or spider-fingers), skeletal abnormalities (including arms that were disproportionately long), and high, arched pallets. He also noticed spine defects (Wieczorek, Riegel, & Quattro, 1996).
Antione noted that these traits seemed to be inherited, and it is now certain that Marfan’s Syndrome is a hereditary disease, and the gene for it is autosomal dominant (Wieczorek, Riegel, & Quattro, 1996).
A dominant gene is one that will overwrite other genes so that only one is required for the trait that that particular gene carries to be expressed. A person who inherits a dominant gene from one parent will automatically have the trait that the gene produces, unlike with recessive genes in which a gene for the trait must be inherited from each parent for the trait to show. Autosomal means that the gene is on a non-sex chromosome. There are 46 chromosomes in every human cell, and they make 23 pairs, each one connected by a centrome. The 23rd pair consists of the sex chromosomes (American Medical Association, 1993). The gene for Marfan’s Syndrome is located on pair fifteen. This gene causes the occurrence of too many microfibrillar fibers in the connective tissue, which results in a lack of flexibility in the body’s tissues (Wieczorek, Riegel, & Quattro, 1996).
Marfan’s Syndrome almost always occurs as an inherited trait (about 75 to 85 percent of the time), but it can sometimes show up spontaneously in a person from a family that has never shown any signs of the disorder. Marfan’s Syndrome, because it is dominant, will not skip generations (Wieczorek, Riegel, & Quattro, 1996). (A recessive gene can be passed on without showing up for many generations, because two are needed for the trait to show, but if a dominant gene is going to show up, it will do so right away.) Marfan’s syndrome has a 50% chance of being passed on to the children of an affected person. If the gene for Marfan’s Syndrome is passed on, it will invariably show up, but the degree to which it shows its symptoms varies considerably (Bruckheim, A. H., 1993).
Skeletal abnormalities that have been noticed in Marfan’s patients are a long face, an unusually tall stature, a short upper body in comparison to the lower body (because they have a short ribcage), and overgrown ribs. The latter results in chest deformities such as Pectus Excavatum (funnel chest) or Pectus Carnatum (pigeon breast). A wide pelvis, elongated skull, and prominent shoulder blades are other symptoms (Burridge, A., 1995). One of the most distinctive characteristics of Marfan’s Syndrome is unusually long arms, fingers, and toes. These skeletal problems can show up in either childhood or adolescence, and sometimes they do not show up at all (Wieczorek, Riegel, & Quattro, 1996). Extremely mobile joints are another common characteristic.
A good many victims have eye problems, like dislocated lenses, severe nearsightedness, iridodensis (a quivering motion of the iris), cataracts, detaching retinas, and glaucoma (Wieczorek, Riegel, & Quattro, 1996).
Because of the excessive fibers in the tissues of people with Marfan’s Syndrome, their tissues often stretch to the point of breaking under the strain of normal tissue stress. There are often stretch marks on the skin, as a result of this. When this sort of stretching occurs in the aorta (the major artery that comes out of the heart), it can break, resulting in major complications (Wieczorek, Riegel, & Quattro, 1996). Because of the heart problems, people with Marfan’s Syndrome usually have a short life-span, perhaps of about thirty years (Burridge, A., 1995). People with Marfan’s Syndrome often suffer from various lung problems as well. Most patients show signs of emphysema, and 5% of the people with Marfan’s Syndrome have problems with collapsed lungs (Bruckheim, A. H., 1993).
Muscle weakness may also occur (Bruckheim, A. H., 1993). This, along with the hypermobile joints, can result in accident proneness.
Marfan’s victims also show a strong sensitivity to cold (Burridge, A., 1995).
Some other famous people who have been suggested as having Marfan’s Syndrome are Abraham Lincoln, Sergie Rachmaninoff, Niccolo Paginini, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Flo Hyman (Burridge, A., 1995; Wieczorek, Riegel, & Quattro, 1996).
From this information, it would seem that Marfan’s Syndrome best suits Akhenaten’s possible affliction. He did show traits like arachnodactyly, an unusually long face, a tall, slender build, and a wide pelvis. His relatives are shown as having similar features, and elongated skulls. The fact that the rest of his family apparently showed some of these traits also suggests that he had a genetic disorder such as Marfan’s Syndrome. He also lived for about the amount of time that a Marfan’s victim lives without medical assistance.
Video 1. Marfan’s Syndrome
Other Theories:
Did Akhenaten really have any kind of ailment at all? There is certainly a possibility that there was nothing wrong with him. Any conclusions drawn simply from looking at artwork are highly questionable. If historians three thousand years in the future were to come to the same sorts of conclusions from looking at today’s political cartoons, for instance, they would probably think that just about every president or political leader that the U.S. has ever had suffered from some kind of bizarre disorder. A good many people have offered alternative explanations as to why Akhenaten was portrayed so strangely.
One theory is that it was some form of religious symbolism. Because the god Aten was referred to as “The mother and father of all human kind,” it has been suggested that Akhenaten was made to look androgynous in artwork as a symbol of the androgyny of the god (Aldred, C. 1988, Pg. 235).
It has also been suggested that the distinctive art of this time was some kind of expressionistic art style, and it has been pointed out that everyone depicted in the artwork of the period showed some of the odd features of the king and his family.
One thing that would suggest that Akhenaten did have an illness of some kind was the fact that he remained hidden for a good portion of his father’s reign. Normally, a great deal of attention would be devoted to the heir to the throne. It should be noted that Akhenaten had an older brother, Tuthmose, who died at an early age. Perhaps if Marfan’s Syndrome did run in the family, Tuthmose’s early death was a result of some of the complications associated with the disease. If this were the case, though, one would have to wonder why Tuthmose was not hidden as well. Perhaps he did not show some of the more visible abnormalities that are sometimes present, such as the skeletal problems. The extent to which various symptoms of the illness show up can vary greatly.
Before any specific ailments were suggested, some historians speculated that Akhenaten’s possible illness may have somehow accounted for his strange behavior. This is probably not the case, but Akhenaten did call himself “The Unique One of Re,” and it would seem that he used his odd appearance as part of this image.
No mummy has yet been identified as being that of Akhenaten. Obviously, it would be hard to tell whether he had symptoms like bad eyesight or heart problems, even if his body were to be found. However, the bodies of several of Akhenaten’s known relatives have been found, and a reasonably sure way we would have of finding out whether Akhenaten had Marfan’s Syndrome would be to do genetic testing on his known relatives. If this were to be done, it would provide invaluable information about Akhenaten and his family.
References.
1- Encyclopedia Brittanica, Inc. Fröhlich’s Syndrome Encyclopedia Britannica Vol. 5, 15th ed. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 1992
Aldred, C. 1988. Akhenaten, King of Egypt. Thames and Hudson, Ltd.,
London.
2- Brukheim, H., 1993. Marfan’s Syndrome, Art. # 27, The Family Doctor Comp. Software. J. D. Grillo, pub.
3- Burridge, A., Did Akhenaten Suffer From Marfan’s Syndrome? Akhenaten Temple Project Newsletter No. 3, Sept. 1995
4- Clayman, C., ed. , 1993. American Med. Association: Genes and
Inheritance The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc., NY & Montreal (from AMA Medical Home Library series)
5- Wagman, R., ed. , 1992. Vol. 2 of The New Complete Medical and Health Encyclopedia , 4 Vols. J. G. Furguson Pub. Co., Chicago
6- Wieczoreck, P., Reigel, M. B., & Quattro, L., 1996. Marfan’s Syndrome and Surgical Repair of Ascending Aortic Aneurysms. AORN Journal. 64(6)
7- Wieten, W., 1995. Psychology: Themes and Variations 3rd ed. Brook/Cole Publishing
The Egyptian dynasties
The author: Professor Yasser Metwally
Video 1. Egyptians had an elaborate method and ritual of mummifying a Pharaoh
PREDYNASTIC EGYPT
NARMER – THE SCORPION KING
EARLY DYNASTIC PERIOD
THE FIRST DYNASTY – 3050 – 2890 B.C.
Menes – AHA
Djer
Wadj
Den – Udimu
Anedjob
Semerkat
Qa’a
SECOND DYNASTY – 3890-2686 B.C.
Hetepsekhemwy
Reneb
Ninetjer
Peribsen – Sekhemib
Keasekhemwy
Video 2. Do you want to travel in space? Before travelling, you must see this video…History is the gate of dreams, is the gate of space.
THE OLD KINGDOM – AGE OF THE PYRAMIDS
THIRD DYNASTY – 2650 – 2575 B.C.
Sanakhte (Nebka) 2650 – 2630
Djoser – Netjerykhet 2630 – 2611
Sekhemkhet (Djoser Teti) 2611 – 2603
Khaba 2603 – 2599
Huni 2599 – 2575
FOURTH DYNASTY – 2575 – 2467 B.C.
Snefru 2575 – 2551
Khufu (Cheops) 2551 – 2528
Djedefre 2528 – 2520
Khafre (Chephren) 2520 – 2494
Menkaure (Mycerinus) 2490 – 2472
Shepseskaf 2472 – 2467
FIFTH DYNASTY – 2465 – 2345 B.C.
Userkaf 2465 – 2458
Sahure 2458 – 2446
Neferirkare Kakai 2477-2467
Shepseskare Ini 2426 – 2419
Neferefre 2419 – 2416
Niuserre Izi 2453 – 2422
Menkauhor 2422 – 2414
Djedkare Izezi 2388 – 2356
Unas 2375-2345
SIXTH DYNASTY – 2345 – 2184 B.C.
Teti 2345 – 2333
Pepy I (Meryre) 2332 – 2283
Merenre Nemtyemzaf 2283 2278
Pepy II (Neferkare) 2278 – 2184
Video 3. History of Ancient Egypt 3000 B.C.
FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD
SEVENTH – TENTH DYNASTIES – 2150 – 1986 B.C.
SEVENTH & EIGHTH DYNASTIES
Netrikare
Menkare
Neferkare II
Neferkare III
Djedkare II
Neferkare IV
Merenhor
Menkamin I
Nikare
Neferkare V
Neferkahor
Neferkare VI
Neferkamin II
Ibi I
Neferkaure
Neferkauhor
Neferirkare II
Wadjkare
Sekhemkare
Iti
Imhotep
Isu
Iytenu
NINETH & TENTH DYNASTIES
Neferkare
several kings named Kheti
Meri-Hathor (?)
Merikare
MIDDLE KINGDOM
ELEVENTH DYNASTY
Antef I
Antef II
Antef III
Mentuhotep II 2055 -2004
Mentuhotep III (Sankhkare) 2004 – 1992
Mentuhotep IV (Nebtawyre) 1992 – 1987
TWELFTH DYNASTIES
Amenemhet I (Sehetepibre) 1991 – 1962
Senusret I (Kheperkare) 1956 – 1911
Amenemhet II (Nubkaure) 1911 – 1877
Senusret II (Khakheperre) 1877 – 1870
Senusret III (Khakaure) 1836 – 1817
Amenemhet III (Nimaatre) 1817 – 1772
Amenemhet IV (Maakherure) 1772 – 1763
Neferusobek (Sobekkare) 1763 – 1759
SECOND INTERMEDIATE PERIOD
THIRTEENTH – SEVENTEENTH DYNASTIES
THIRTEENTH DYNASTY
Wegaf 1783-1779
Amenemhat-senebef
Sekhemre-khutawi
Amenemhat V
Sehetepibre I
Iufni
Amenemhat VI
Semenkare
Sehetepibre II
Sewadjkare
Nedjemibre
Sobekhotep I
Reniseneb
Hor I
Amenemhat VII
Sobekhotep II
Khendjer
Imira-mesha
Antef IV
Seth
Sobekhotep III
Neferhotep I 1696 – 1686
Sihathor 1685 – 1685
Sobekhotep IV 1685 – 1678
Sobekhotep V 1678 – 1674
Iaib 1674 – 1664
Ay 1664 – 1641
Ini I
Sewadjtu
Ined
Hori
Sobekhotep VI
Dedumes I
Ibi II
Hor II
Senebmiu
Sekhanre I
Merkheperre
Merikare
FOURTEENTH DYNASTY
Nehesi
Khatire
Nebfaure
Sehabre
Meridjefare
Sewadjkare
Heribre
Sankhibre
Kanefertemre
Neferibre
Ankhkare
FIFTEENTH DYNASTY
Salitis
Bnon
Apachnan (Khian)
Apophis (Auserre Apepi)
Khamudi
SIXTEENTH DYNASTY
Anat-Her
User-anat
Semqen
Zaket
Wasa
Qar
Pepi III
Bebankh
Nebmaatre
Nikare II
Aahotepre
Aaneterire
Nubankhre
Nubuserre
Khauserre
Khamure
Jacob-Baal
Yakbam
Yoam
Amu
SEVENTEENTH DYNASTY
Antef V
Rahotep
Sobekemzaf I
Djehuti
Mentuhotep VII
Nebirau I
Nebirau II
Semenenre
Suserenre
Sobekemzaf II
Antef VI
Antef VII
Tao I (Senakhtenre)
Tao II (Sekenenre)
Kamose (Wadjkheperre)
THE NEW KINGDOM
EIGHTEENTH DYNASTY
Ahmose (Nebpehtyre) 1539 – 1514 BC
Amenhotep I (Djeserkare) 1514 – 1493 BC
Thutmose I (Akheperkare) 1493 – 1481 BC
Thutmose II (Akheperenre) 1491 – 1479 BC
Hatshepsut (Maatkare) 1473 – 1458 BC
Thutmose III (Menkheperre) 1504 – 1450 BC
Amenhotep II (Akheperure) 1427 – 1392 BC
Thutmose IV (Menkheperure) 1419 – 1386 BC
Amenhotep III (Nebmaatre) 1382 – 1344 BC
Amenhotep IV / Akhenaten 1350 – 1334 BC
Smenkhkare (Ankhkheperure) 1336-1334 BC
Tutankhamun (Nebkheperure) 1334 – 1325 – King Tut BC
Ay (Kheperkheperure) 1325 – 1321 BC
Horemheb (Djeserkheperure) 1323 – 1295 BC
NINETEENTH DYNASTY
Ramesses I (Menpehtyre) 1295 – 1294
Seti I (Menmaatre) 1394 – 1279
Ramesses II (Usermaatresetepenre) 1279 – 1213
Merenptah (Baenrehotephirmaat) 1213 – 1203
Amenmesse (Menmire) 1203 – 1200
Seti II (Userkheperuresetepenre) 1200 – 1194
Siptah (Akhenresetepenre) 1194 – 1188
Tausert (Sitremeritamun) 1185-1187
TWENTIETH DYNASTY
Setakht (Userkhauremeryamun) 1186 – 1184
Ramesses III (Usermaatremeryamun) 1184 – 1153
Ramesses IV (Hekamaatresetepenamun) 1153 – 1147
Ramesses V (Usermaatresekheperenre) 1147 – 1143
Ramesses VI (Nebmaatremeryamun) 1143 – 1136
Ramesses VII (Usermaatresetepenre) 1136 – 1129
Ramesses VIII (Usermaatreakhenamun) 1129 – 1126
Ramesses IX (Neferkaresetepenre) 1126 – 1108
Ramesses X (Khepermaatresetepenre) 1108 – 1099
Ramesses XI (Menmaatresetepenptah) 1099 – 1069
THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD (1070-715 BC)
TWENTY-FIRST – TWENTY-FOURTH DYNASTIES
TWENTY-FIRST DYNASTY
Smedes 1070-1044
Amenemnisu 1040
Psusennes I 1040-992
Amenope 993-984
Osochor 984-978
Siamun 978-959
Psusennes II 959-945
TWENTY-SECOND DYNASTY
Shoshenq I 945-924
Osorkon I 924-909
Takelot 909–?
Shoshenq II ?–883
Osorkon II 883-855
Takelot II 860-835
Shoshenq III 835-783
Pami 783-773
Shoshenq IV 773-735
Osorkon IV 735-712
TWENTY-THIRD DYNASTY
Pedubaste I 828-803
Osorkon IV 777-749
Peftjauwybast 740-725
TWENTY-FOURTH DYNASTY
Shepsesre Tefnakht I 725-720 Wahkare Bakenranef 720-715
LATE KINGDOM
TWENTY-FIFTH DYNASTY
Piye 747-716 BC
Shebaka 712-698
Shebitku 698-690
Taharqa 690-664
Tantamani 664-657
TWENTY-SIXTH DYNASTY
Psammetichus I (Psam-tik) 664-610
Nekau (Necho) II 610-595
Psammetichus II 595-589
Apries 589-570
Amasis 570-526
Psammetichus III 526-525
TWENTY-SEVENTH DYNASTY
Cambyses 525-522
Darius I 521-486
Xerxes I 486-466
Artaxerxes I 465-424
Darius II 424-404
TWENTY-EIGHTH DYNASTY
Amyrtaios 404-399
TWENTY-NINETH DYNASTY
Nepherites I 399-393
Psammuthis 393
Hakoris 393-380
Nepherites II 380
THIRTIETH DYNASTY
Nectanebo I 380-362
Teos 365-360
Nectanebo II 360-343
SECOND PERSIAN PERIOD (343-332 B.C.)
THIRTY-FIRST DYNASTY
Ochus (Artaxerxes III) 343-338
Arses 338-336
Darius III Codomannus 335-332
Video 4. History of Egypt
GRECO-ROMAN PERIOD (332 B.C. – 395 A.D.)
Macedonian Kings – Alexandria
Alexander the Great 332-323
Philip Arrhidaeus 323-316
Alexander IV 316-304
Ptolemaic Dynasty
Ptolemy I Soter I 323-285
Ptolemy II Philadelphus 282-246
Ptolemy III Euergeter I 246-222
Ptolemy IV Philopator 222-205
Ptolemy V Epiphanes 205-180
Ptolemy VI Philometor 180-164 & 163-145
Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator 145
Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II 170-163 & 145-116
Cleopatra III & Ptolemy IX Soter II 116-107 & 88-80
Cleopatra III & Ptolemy X Alexander I 107-88
Cleopatra Berenice 81-80
Ptolemy XI Alexander II 80
Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos 80-58 & 55-51
Berenice IV 58-55
Cleopatra VII
Cleopatra VII & Ptolemy XIII 51-47
Cleopatra & Ptolemy XIV 47-44
Cleopatra VII & Ptolemy XV Cesarion 44-30
Roman Emperors
Augustus 30 B.C. – 14 A.D.
Tiberius 14-37
Gaius Caligula 37-41
Claudius 41-54
Nero 54-68
Galba 68-69
Vespasianus 69-79
Titus 79-81
Domitianus 81-96
Nerva 96-98
Trajanus 98-117
Hadrianus 117-138
Antoninus Pius 138-161
Marcus Aurelius 161-180
Lucius Verrus
Commodus 180-192
Septimus Severus 193-211
Caracalla 198-217
Geta 209-212
Video 5. History of Egypt
Video 6. History of Egypt
NEFERTITI – Beautiful queen of Egypt
The author: Professor Yasser Metwally
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Video 1. The most beautiful woman ever: Nefertiti..
Video 3. Fate of Nefertiti mummy
Queen Cleopatra of Egypt
The author: Professor Yasser Metwally
Queen Cleopatra of Egypt is often portrayed in modern times — in works ranging from plays to pornography — as a tragic and misunderstood person. Among the most popular of these portrayals is the Oscar winning 1963 film, “Cleopatra,” in which Elizabeth Taylor played the Queen and Richard Burton portrayed Marc Antony. History paints a much different picture with ancient historian Josephus describing Cleopatra as “a woman who hesitated at no wickedness.”
Video 1. Queen Cleopatra of Egypt
Cleopatra (January 69 BC–November 30, 30 BC) was a Hellenistic co-ruler of Egypt with her brothers/husbands Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. She later became the supreme ruler of Egypt by consummating an adulterous liaison with Gaius Julius Caesar that solidified her grip on the throne. After Caesar’s assassination, Cleopatra aligned with Caesar’s number two man, Mark Antony, in another adulterous relationship. In all, Cleopatra had four children, one by Caesar (Caesarion) and three by Antony (Cleopatra Selene II, Alexander Helios, Ptolemy Philadelphus). Her marriages with her brothers produced no children: it is possible that they were never consummated because they were never close but instead were murderous rivals for the throne of Egypt.
Queen Cleopatra of Egypt – Place in History
Queen Cleopatra of Egypt’s reign marks the final end of the Hellenistic Era in Egypt and the beginning of the Roman Era in the eastern Mediterranean. Her son by Julius Caesar, Caesarion, ruled briefly in name only. Upon seizing Egypt, Octavian (Julius Caesar’s grand-nephew who is also named Caesar Augustus, and who ruled Rome at the time of Christ’s birth) condemned Caesarion to death with the statement, “Too many Caesars.” Her other children by Marc Antony were taken to Rome and adopted by Antony’s wife, Octavia, who was also Octavian’s elder sister.
One of the excellent endnotes of this story is that Octavia became one of the most prominent women in Roman history, respected and admired by contemporaries for her loyalty, nobility and humanity, and for maintaining traditional Roman feminine virtues. Her care and love for the offspring of her husband’s adulterous relationship with Cleopatra simply added to her Roman status as a virtuous woman. Octavia lived at a time when many succumbed to treachery and intrigue — a remarkable counter-point to the life of Queen Cleopatra and the adulterous liaisons she used to acquire power and lure Marc Antony away from Octavia.
Marc Antony and Cleopatra’s demise was as sordid and tragic as their lives. Antony led combined land and naval forces at the Battle of Actium but lost to the better equipped and trained forces under Octavian. Queen Cleopatra fled the battle and popular legend implies that Antony abandoned his command to follow her to Egypt. Evidence indicates that Antony’s forces simply deserted to join with Octavian in a mass expression of disgust at the immorality and poor discipline of their commander. With the landing of Octavian’s legions in Egypt, Antony committed suicide, knowing his coming fate at the hands of Roman Justice. According to the doctor Olympus (an eye-witness), he was brought to Queen Cleopatra’s tomb and died in her arms. Several days later, Cleopatra died from a self-inflicted snakebite. Octavian, waiting in a building nearby, was informed of her death, and went to see for himself that she was dead.
Queen Cleopatra of Egypt – Her Death
Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, in the words of ancient historians and her contemporaries, was a murdering, adulterous seductress who conspired in the demise of her own family, countrymen, and powerful Romans. Her death at her own hand was the last desperate attempt of an immoral woman to at least control her own end, having lost all accumulated wealth, power, and lovers.
Queen Cleopatra of Egypt – The century before the birth of Christ
Queen Cleopatra of Egypt struggled for power in Egypt at the same time that Rome fought a bloody Civil War. Six years before her birth, Pompey the Great intervened in a Jewish conflict in 63 BC by seizing Jerusalem then entered the Holy of Holies in the Jerusalem Temple. The Jewish people never forgave him. Years later during the Roman Civil War in 47 BC, Pompey fled from Caesar after losing the battle of Farsala in Greece. He would not even attempt to ask for help from the Jews. Though Pompey was murdered by the Egyptians, the Jewish people joined two large units — one under the High Priest, Hyrcanus, and the other under the Idumean, Antipater. They helped Caesar defeat the Egyptians, place Queen Cleopatra back in power, and contributed significantly to Caesar’s success in Egypt.
Caesar’s reward for this service would be to elevate Antipater (Herod’s father) to be Regent over Jerusalem in 47 BC. The Roman also confirmed Hyrcanus, the leader of the Jewish sect known as Pharisees, as High Priest for life and granted permanent Roman citizenship to all the Jewish men who fought with the Legions in Egypt. As a result, the Pharisees became the dominant secular and religious power brokers in Palestine and dominated Temple leadership until Roman General Titus Vespasian destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.
The rise of the Pharisees to power locked in place the simmering political bitterness between Sadducees and Pharisees This bitterness was a prominent part of the national political landscape of Palestine during Christ’s life and ministry.
A final fascinating note is that it is possible the Apostle Paul’s father or grandfather received Roman citizenship for serving as a soldier in the Egyptian campaign, which would pass down to children. Paul used his privilege of citizenship in Acts 21 to appeal his legal case to Caesar. One discovers that through this process and using the privilege of Roman citizenship, Paul took the Gospel message of Christ into the heart of Rome and the throne of Caesar.
Cleopatra…Queen of Egypt
The author: Professor Yasser Metwally
In the springtime of 51 BC, Ptolemy Auletes died and left his kingdom in his will to his eighteen year old daughter, Cleopatra, and her younger brother Ptolemy XIII who was twelve at the time. Cleopatra was born in 69 BC in Alexandria, Egypt. She had two older sisters, Cleopatra VI and Berenice IV as well as a younger sister, Arsinoe IV. There were two younger brothers as well, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. It is thought that Cleopatra VI may have died as a child and Auletes had Berenice beheaded. At Ptolemy Auletes’ death, Pompey, a Roman leader, was left in charge of the children. During the two centuries that preceded Ptolemy Auletes death, the Ptolemies were allied with the Romans. The Ptolemies’ strength was failing and the Roman Empire was rising. City after city was falling to the Roman power and the Ptolemies could do nothing but create a pact with them. During the later rule of the Ptolemies, the Romans gained more and more control over Egypt. Tributes had to be paid to the Romans to keep them away from Egypt. When Ptolemy Auletes died, the fall of the Dynasty appeared to be even closer.
Figure 1. Cleopatra queen of Egypt
According to Egyptian law, Cleopatra was forced to have a consort, who was either a brother or a son, no matter what age, throughout her reign. She was married to her younger brother Ptolemy XIII when he was twelve, however she soon dropped his name from any official documents regardless of the Ptolemaic insistence that the male presence be first among co-rulers. She also had her own portrait and name on coins of that time, ignoring her brother’s. When Cleopatra became co-regent, her world was crumbling down around her. Cyprus, Coele-Syria and Cyrenaica were gone. There was anarchy abroad and famine at home. Cleopatra was a strong-willed Macedonian queen who was brilliant and dreamed of a greater world empire. She almost achieved it. Whether her way of getting it done was for her own desires or for the pursuit of power will never be known for certain. However, like many Hellenistic queens, she was passionate but not promiscuous. As far as we know, she had no other lovers other than Caesar and Antony. Many believe that she did what she felt was necessary to try to save Alexandria, whatever the price.
By 48 BC, Cleopatra had alarmed the more powerful court officials of Alexandria by some of her actions. For instance, her mercenaries killed the Roman governor of Syria’s sons when they came to ask for her assistance for their father against the Parthians. A group of men led by Theodotus, the eunuch Pothinus and a half-Greek general, Achillas, overthrew her in favor of her younger brother. They believed him to be much easier to influence and they became his council of regency. Cleopatra is thought to have fled to Thebaid. Between 51 and 49 BC, Egypt was suffering from bad harvests and famine because of a drought which stopped the much needed Nile flooding. Ptolemy XIII signed a decree on October 27, 50 BC which banned any shipments of grain to anywhere but Alexandria. It is thought that this was to deprive Cleopatra and her supporters who were not in Alexandria. Regardless, she started an army from the Arab tribes which were east of Pelusium. During this time, she and her sister Arsinoe moved to Syria. They returned by way of Ascalon which may have been Cleopatra’s temporary base.
Figure 2. Cleopatra queen of Egypt
In the meantime, Pompey had been defeated at Pharsalus in August of 48 BC. He headed for Alexandria hoping to find refuge with Ptolemy XIII, of whom Pompey was a senate-appointed guardian. Pompey did not realize how much his reputation had been destroyed by Pharsalus until it was too late. He was murdered as he stepped ashore on September 28, 48 BC. The young Ptolemy XIII stood on the dock and watched the whole scene. Four days later, Caesar arrived in Alexandria. He brought with him thirty-two hundred legionaries and eight hundred cavalry. He also brought twelve other soldiers who bore the insignia of the Roman government who carried a bundle of rods with an ax with a blade that projected out. This was considered a badge of authority that gave a clear hint of his intentions. There were riots that followed in Alexandria. Ptolemy XIII was gone to Pelusium and Caesar placed himself in the royal palace and started giving out orders. The eunuch, Pothinus, brought Ptolemy back to Alexandria. Cleopatra had no intentions of being left out of any deals that were going to be made. She had herself smuggled in through enemy lines rolled in a carpet. She was delivered to Caesar. Both Cleopatra and Ptolemy were invited to appear before Caesar the next morning. By this time, she and Caesar were already lovers and Ptolemy realized this right away. He stormed out screaming that he had been betrayed, trying to arouse the Alexandrian mob. He was soon captured by Caesar’s guards and brought back to the palace. It is thought that Caesar had planned to make Cleopatra the sole ruler of Alexandria. He thought she would be a puppet for Rome.
Figure 3. Cleopatra queen of Egypt
The Alexandrian War was started when Pothinus called for Ptolemy XIII’s soldiers in November and surrounded Caesar in Alexandria with twenty thousand men. During the war, parts of the Alexandrian Library and some of the warehouses were burned. However, Caesar did manage to capture the Pharos lighthouse, which kept his control of the harbor. Cleopatra’s sister, Arsinoe, escaped from the palace and ran to Achillas. She was proclaimed the queen by the Macedonian mob and the army. Cleopatra never forgave her sister for this. During the fighting, Caesar executed Pothinus and Achillas was murdered by Ganymede. Ptolemy XIII drowned in the Nile while he was trying to flee.
Video 1. Cleopatra queen of Egypt
Because of his death, Cleopatra was now the sole ruler of Egypt. Caesar had restored her position, but she now had to marry her younger brother Ptolemy XIV, who was eleven years old. This was to please the Alexandrians and the Egyptian priests. Surely Caesar went through all of this trouble for more than his infatuation with the queen of Egypt. It must have been out of arrogance and his desire to get his hands on Egypt’s vast resources. However, Cleopatra’s intelligence and inheritance did have some influence as well. In what must have been very calculated on his part, she became pregnant rather quickly. For him to have a son to carry the throne was very appealing to him. Caesar and Cleopatra took an extended trip up the Nile for about two months. They stopped in Dendara where Cleopatra was worshipped as a Pharaoh. Caesar would never have this honor. Caesar only left the boat to attend important business in Syria just a few weeks before the birth of their son, Caesarion (Ptolemy Caesar) who was born on June 23, 47 BC.
Video 2. Cleopatra queen of Egypt
During July of the year 46 BC, Caesar returned to Rome. He was given many honors and a ten-year dictatorship. These celebrations lasted from September to October and he brought Cleopatra over, along with her entourage. The conservative Republicans were very offended when he established Cleopatra in his home. Her social manners did not make the situation any better. She upset many. Cleopatra had started calling herself the New Isis and was the subject of much gossip. She lived in luxury and had a statue made of gold placed by Caesar, in the temple of Venus Genetrix . Caesar also openly claimed Caesarion as his son. Many were upset that he was planning to marry Cleopatra regardless of the laws against bigamy and marriages to foreigners.
However, on the Ides of March of 44 BC, all of that came to an end. Caesar was assassinated outside the Senate Building in Rome. He was killed in a conspiracy by his Senators. Many of the Senators thought he was a threat to the republic’s well-being. It was thought that Caesar was making plans to have himself declared king. After Caesar’s murder, Cleopatra fled Rome and returned home to Alexandria. Caesar had not mentioned Cleopatra or Caesarion in his will. She felt her life, as well as that of her child, was in great danger.
Upon returning to Alexandria, she had her consort, Ptolemy XIV, assassinated and established Caesarion as her co-regent at the age of four. She found Egypt suffering from plagues and famine. The Nile canals had been neglected during her absence which caused the harvests to be bad and the inundations low. The bad harvests continued from 43 until 41 BC. Trying to help secure recognition for Caesarion with Caesar’s former lieutenant Dolabella, Cleopatra sent Dolabella the four legions that Caesar had left in Egypt. Cassius captured the legions which caused Dolabella to commit suicide at Laodicea during the summer of 43 BC. She was planning to join Mark Antony and Octavian (who became Augustus) with a large fleet of ships after Dolabella’s death, but was stopped by a violent storm.
Cleopatra watched in the time that followed, who would be the next power in Rome. After Brutus and Cassius had been killed and Antony, Octavian and Lepidus were triumphant, Cleopatra knew which one she would have to deal with. Octavian went back to Italy very ill, so Antony was the one to watch. Her son gained his right to become king when Caesar was officially divinized in Rome on January 1, 42 BC. The main object was the promotion of Octavian, but the triumvirs knew of Cleopatra’s aid to Dolabella.
Cleopatra was invited by Mark Antony to Tarsus in 41 BC. She already knew enough about him to know how to get to him. She knew about his limited strategic and tactical abilities, his blue blood, the drinking, his womanizing, his vulgarity and his ambition. Even though Egypt was on the verge of economic collapse, Cleopatra put on a show for Mark Antony that even Ptolemy Philadelphos couldn’t have done better. She sailed with silver oars, purple sails with her Erotes fanning her and the Nereid handmaids steering and she was dressed as Aphrodite, the goddess of love. This was a very calculated entrance; considered vulgar by many. It was a vulgar display to attract the attention of a vulgar man. Mark Antony loved the idea of having a blue-blooded Ptolemy woman. His former mistress as well as his current wife, Fulvia, were merely middle class.
Cleopatra and Antony spent the winter of 41 to 40 in Alexandria. According to some sources, Cleopatra could get out of him whatever she wanted, including the assassination of her sister, Arsinoe. Cleopatra may not have had so much influence over him later on. He took control of Cyprus from her. Actually it may have been Cleopatra who was the exploited one. Antony needed money and Cleopatra could be generous when it benefited her as well.
In the spring of 40 BC, Mark Antony left Cleopatra and returned home. He did not see her for four years. Antony’s wife, Fulvia had gotten into a serious movement against Octavian over veterans’ allotments of land. She fled to Greece and had a bitter confrontation with Antony. She became ill and died there. Antony patched things up with Octavian that same autumn by marrying Octavian’s sister, Octavia. She was a beautiful and intelligent woman who had been recently widowed. She had three children from her first marriage. In the meantime, Cleopatra had given birth to twins, one boy and one girl, in Alexandria. Antony’s first child by Octavia was a girl. Had Octavia given him a son, things might have turned out different. Antony kept the idea of the treasures of the Ptolemies and how much he wanted it. When he finally did get the treasures, the standard interest rate in Rome fell from 12 percent to 4.
Mark Antony left Italy and went to deal with the Parthians. Octavia had just had another daughter and went with him just as far as Corcyra. He gave her the excuse that he did not want to expose her to the dangers of the battles and sent her home. He told her that she would be more use to him at home in Rome keeping peace with her brother, Octavian. However, the first thing that he did when he reached Antioch, was to send for Cleopatra. Their twin children were officially recognized by Antony and were given the names of Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene. Mark Antony gave her much land which was very essential to Egypt. He gave her Cyprus, the Cilician coast, Phoenicia, Coele-Syria, Judea and Arabia. This allowed Egypt to be able to build ships from the lumber from Cilician coast. Egypt then built a large fleet. Antony had planned a campaign against the Parthians. He obviously needed Cleopatra’s support for this and in 36 BC, he was defeated. He became more indebted to her than ever. They had just had a third child.
On their return to Syria, she met him and what was left of his army, with food, clothing and money. Early in 35 BC, he returned to Egypt with her. Antony’s wife, Octavia was in Athens with supplies and reinforcements waiting for her husband. He sent her a letter telling her to not come any further. Her brother, Octavian, tried to provoke Antony into a fight. Octavian would release troops as well as ships to try to force Antony into a war, which, by this time was almost inevitable. Antony might have been able to patch things up with Octavia and her brother had he returned to Rome in 35 BC. Cleopatra probably did her best to keep him in Alexandria. Octavia remained completely loyal to Antony through all of this.
In 34 BC, Antony had a campaign into Armenia, which was successful and financially rewarding. He celebrated his triumph with a parade through Alexandria with Cleopatra presiding over as the New Isis. Antony presented himself as the New Dionysus as part of his dream of the Graeco-Roman rule. Within a few days, a more political ceremony took place in which the children were given their royal titles with Antony sitting on the throne as well. Ptolemy XV (Caesarion) was made the co-ruler with his mother and was called the King of Kings. Cleopatra was called the Queen of Kings, which was a higher position than that of Caesarion’s. Alexander Helios, which meant the sun, was named Great King of the Seleucid empire when it was at its highest. Cleopatra Selene, which meant the moon, was called Queen of Cyrenaica and Crete. Cleopatra and Antony’s son, Ptolemy Philadelphos was named King of Syria and Asia Minor at the age of two. Cleopatra had dreams of becoming the Empress of the world. She was very close to achieving these dreams and her favorite oath was, "As surely as I shall yet dispense justice on the Roman Capital."
In 32 to 31 BC, Antony finally divorced Octavia. This forced the Western part of the world to recognize his relationship with Cleopatra. He had already put her name and face on a Roman coin, the silver denarii. The denarii was widely circulated throughout the Mediterranean. By doing this, Antony’s relationship with the Roman allegiance was ended and Octavian decided to publish Antony’s will. Octavian then formally declared war against Cleopatra. Antony’s name was nowhere mentioned in the official declaration. Many false accusations were made against Cleopatra saying that she was a harlot and a drunken Oriental. These accusations were most likely made out of fear of Cleopatra and Antony. Many probably thought that the New Isis would prevail and that Antony would start up a new wave of world conquest and rule in a co-partnership from Alexandria. However, Octavian’s navy severely defeated Antony in Actium, which is in Greece, on September 2, 31 BC. Octavian’s admiral, Agrippa, planned and carried out the defeat. In less than a year, Antony half-heartedly defended Alexandria against the advancing army of Octavian. After the defeat, Antony committed suicide by falling on his own sword in 30 BC.
After Antony’s death, Cleopatra was taken to Octavian where her role in Octavian’s triumph was carefully explained to her. He had no interest in any relationship, negotiation or reconciliation with the Queen of Egypt. She would be displayed as a slave in the cities she had ruled over. She must have had memories of her sister, Arsinoe, being humiliated in this way. She would not live this way, so she had an asp, which was an Egyptian cobra, brought to her hidden in a basket of figs. She died on August 12, 30 BC at the age of 39. The Egyptian religion declared that death by snakebite would secure immortality. With this, she achieved her dying wish, to not be forgotten. The only other ruler to cast a shadow on the fascination with Cleopatra was Alexander who was another Macedonian. After Cleopatra’s death, Caesarion was strangled and the other children of Cleopatra were raised by Antony’s wife, Octavia.
Her death was the mark of the end of the Egyptian Monarchs. The Roman Emperors came into to rule in Egypt. The Ptolemies were Macedonian in decent, but ruled as Egyptians, as Pharaohs. Cleopatra was the last Pharaoh of Egypt.
What is often not associated with Cleopatra was her brilliance and her devotion to her country. She was a quick-witted woman who was fluent in nine languages, however, Latin was not one of them. She was a mathematician and a very good businesswoman. She had a genuine respect for Caesar, whose intelligence and wit matched her own. Antony on the other hand almost drove her insane with his lack of intelligence and his excesses. She dealt with him and made the most of what she had to do. She fought for her country. She had a charismatic personality, was a born leader and an ambitious monarch who deserved better than suicide.
Mummy Hunter
The author: Professor Yasser Metwally
Video 1. Dr. Zahi Hawass, chief of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and his pursuit for mummies
The Sphinx
The author: Professor Yasser Metwally
In a depression to the south of Khafre’s pyramid at Giza near Cairo sits a huge creature with the head of a human and a lion’s body. This monumental statue, the first truly colossal royal sculpture in Egypt, known as the Great Sphinx, is a national symbol of Egypt, both ancient and modern. It has stirred the imagination of poets, scholars, adventurers and tourists for centuries and has also inspired a wealth of speculation about its age, its meaning, and the secrets that it might hold.
Akhenaton and Nefertiti
The author: Professor Yasser Metwally
Akhenaton, Pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt, ruled some thirteen centuries before Christ, in a time and place where government and religion were inextricably intermingled. He felt constricted by the political power of the priest caste, so he "streamlined" religion, announcing that the hundreds of gods worshiped in Egypt were merged into one god, Aton, a sun deity — who spoke only to him. He had the name of the old god, Amon, physically removed from monuments, and had all references to gods in the plural replaced with the new god, always in the singular. Akhenaton’s decree is believed to have instituted humanity’s first known organized monotheism.
Video 1. Akhenaton and Nefertiti.
To go with this newly decreed religion, the Pharaoh changed his own name from Amenhotep to "Akhenaton", meaning, "servant of Aton". The effect was more political than religious, as the Pharaoh’s pronouncement banning the old religions effectively stripped the priests of their power. He also moved the empire’s capitol from Thebes to the city he named Akhetaton, which is generally translated as "place of Aton’s Power". Though his god and the gods he banished are forgotten today by all but historians, Akhenaton is still remembered as the Heretic Pharaoh, "false prophet" of Egypt.
Akhenaton is believed to have taken two of his daughters, Ankhesenpaaten and Meketaten, as sexual consorts. Ankhesenpaaten was Akhenaton’s daughter by his greater queen, Nefertiti, and later married Tutankhamun, his son by his lesser queen, Tiya. After Akhenaton’s death, his body was mummified and buried in a pink granite sarcophagus, but his remains have never been found. His successor, the famed King Tutankhamun, restored the worship of Amon and the other gods Akhenaton had banned.
Video 2. The story of ancient Egypt
Hatshepsut
The author: Professor Yasser Metwally
Born in the 15th century BC, Hatshepsut, daughter of Tuthmose I and Aahmes, both of royal lineage, was the favorite of their three children. When her two brothers died, she was in the unique position to gain the throne upon the death of her father. To have a female pharaoh was unprecedented, and probably most definitely unheard of as well. When Tuthmose I passed away, his son by the commoner Moutnofrit, Tuthmose II, technically ascended the throne. For the few years of his reign, however, Hatshepsut seems to have held the reins. From markings on his mummy, archaeologists believe Tuthmose II had a skin disease, and he died after ruling only three or four years. Hatshepsut, his half sister and wife, had produced no offspring with him (her daughter Nefrure was most likely the daughter of her lover Senmut), although he had sired a son through the commoner Isis. This son, Tuthmose III, was in line for the throne, but due to his age Hatshepsut was allowed to reign as queen dowager.
Figure 1. Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut was not one to sit back and wait for her nephew to age enough to take her place. As a favorite daughter of a popular pharaoh, and as a charismatic and beautiful lady in her own right, she was able to command enough of a following to actually take control as pharaoh. She ruled for about 15 years, until her death in 1458 BC, and left behind more monuments and works of art than any Egyptian queen to come.
Hatshepsut, as a female, had many obstacles to overcome. There was always a threat of revolt, especially as her bitter nephew came of age. Using propaganda and keen political skills, she deftly jumped each hurdle she faced. To quell the fears of her people, she became a "king" in all statuary and relief during her reign. She even dressed in the traditional garb of male rulers: the shendyt kilt, the nemes headdress with its uraeus and khat headcloth, and the false beard. Although there were no wars during her reign, she proved her sovereignty by ordering expeditions to the land of Punt, in present-day Somalia, in search of the ivory, animals, spices, gold and aromatic trees that Egyptians coveted. These expeditions are well documented in the hieroglyphic inscriptions on the walls of her temple. With these inscriptions are included incised representations of the journey, including humorous images of the Puntites and their queen, at whom the Egyptians no doubt looked while restraining a giggle; the queen has folds of fat hanging over her knees and elbows, her back is crooked and she has an aquiline nose. To the short, thin Egyptian she was probably quite a sight. Hatshepsut, in a final bid to be recognized as a legitimate queen, constructed a fabulous temple in the Valley of the Kings, of all places, by a tall plateau at Deir-el-Bahri, across the Nile from Thebes.
Hatshepsut was a master politician, and an elegant stateswoman with enough charisma to keep control of an entire country for twenty years. Her charisma and experience could carry her only so far, however. She used two devices to ensure the legitimacy of her position. The first was to emphasize not only her relationship to Tuthmose I, but her favor from that popular ruler. She claimed to have been handpicked by her father, above her two brothers and her half-brother. In her temple are written the words of Khnum, the divine potter who sculpted the forms of the gods:
I will make you to be the first of all living creatures, you will rise as king of Upper and of Lower Egypt, as your father Amon, who loves you, did ordain.
This assertion has validity, as other texts indicate. Her second conceit was more doubtful, however: she claims a direct divine lineage. As in the previous passage, she claims Amon is her father. On the walls of her tomb is inscribed a story detailing the night the Theban god Amon-Re approached Aahmes in the form of Tuthmose I.
Amon took the form of the noble King Tuthmose and found the queen sleeping in her room. When the pleasant odours that proceeded from him announced his presence she woke. he gave her his heart and showed himself in his godlike splendour. When he approached the queen she wept for joy at his strength and beauty and he gave her his love…
These propaganda worked well to cement Hatshepsut’s position. But as Tuthmose III grew, her sovereignty grew tenuous. He not only resented his lack of authority, but no doubt harbored only ill will towards his step-mother’s consort Senmut. Senmut originally intended to be buried in the tomb he designed for Hatshepsut, but was actually buried nearby in his own tomb. Not long after his death, however, his sarcophagus was completely destroyed. The hard stone that had been carved for his funerary coffin was found in over 1,200 pieces. His mummy was never found. Hatshepsut’s mummy was likewise stolen and her tomb destroyed. Only one of the canopic jars was found, the one containing her liver. After her death, it is presumed that Tuthmose III ordered the systematic erasure of her name from any monument she had built, including her temple at Deir-el-Bahri. Since most of the images of her were actually males, it was convenient to simply change the name "Hatshepsut" to "Tuthmose" I, II or III wherever there was a caption. Senmut’s name was also removed. Whether Tuthmose killed Hatshepsut, Senmut and Nofrure is questionable but likely. Since he paid little respect to her in death, it is quite possible he paid even less in life.
While this account is the most accepted of theories, the Hatshepsut Problem was a source of endless debate near the turn of the twentieth century. The archeaologists Edouard Naville and Kurt Sethe went head-to-head on the order of rule between the three Tuthmoses and Hatshepsut. Since it is generally assumed that if one ruler’s name is replaced with another, the second ruler is in power at the time, a confusing problem exists. Theoretical timelines indicate that the succession followed this sequence:
1. Tuthmose I
2. Tuthmose III
3. Tuthmose III and Hatshepsut, together
4. Tuthmose III alone
5. Tuthmose I and Tuthmose II
6. Tuthmose II alone
7. Hatshepsut and Tuthmose III
8. Tuthmose III alone
This sequence seems as illogical as it is complicated, and only after the discovery of the tomb of Ineni, the architect of the tomb of Tuthmose I. His description follows a more intuitive sequence, and disproves the previously-held belief that only Tuthmose III would put his name in Hatshepsut’s place.
Video 1. The story of Hatshepsut
Not only was Hatshepsut’s name erased, but some of her monuments were destroyed. She built two obelisks of red granite, the largest built to that point. This was a continuation of the works of her father, who was not able to complete all his construction plans. Her name appeared on the obelisks, but instead of toppling them, Tuthmose III ordered them sheathed in masonry. Their gilded pyramidions were probably the only original elements to be exposed. Later, one of the obelisks was destroyed after all.
In all, Hatshepsut accomplished what no woman had before her. She ruled the most powerful, advanced civilization in the world, successfully, for twenty years. Even if there were some who resented her success, her success stands for all eternity.
Video 2. Hatshepsut: Mummy Reconstruction
Battle of Qadesh
The author: Professor Yasser Metwally
The Battle of Kadesh took place around in the fifth year of the reign of Ramses II between Egypt and the Hittites. The exact date is unknown, but it was around 1285 BC. It was fought on the Orontes River in Syria.
Figure 1. Battle Of Kadesh Egyptian Papyrus 116D
The Hittites, based at Carchemish, were angry over the defection of Amurru to Egypt. Muwatallish, the Hittite king, gathered his allies against Ramses army. The Hittites positioned themselves behind the hill at Kadesh, but Ramses thought they were at Aleppo and learned the truth only after capturing two Hittites. The Egyptian army was divided into four divisions: Ptah, Suteh, Amon, and Ra, but before Ramses could gather them all together, 2500 of Muwatillish’s chariots attacked the Ra and Amon divisions and plundered the Egyptian camp. However, an army from Amurru suddenly arrived to assist Ramses, and drove the Hittites back.
Figure 2. Horus and Anoubis Crowning Ramses Egyptian Papyrus
The Egyptians regrouped and almost surrounded the Hittites, but the Hittite chariots retreated back across the Orontes to join their infantry. Muwatallish called for a truce with Ramses. Despite the victory for Ramses, his troops had suffered many casualties and he was unable to capture any more territory. Kadesh and Amurru were later recaptured by the Hittites.
Video 1. Battle of Qadesh
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