Ramses the Great's Queen Nefertari: Power, Diplomacy, and the Temple of Hathor

In episode 158, Lucas and Luna explore the life and legacy of Queen Nefertari, the Great Royal Wife of Ramses II. They discuss her political influence, her role in the Hittite peace treaty, and her divine status as a living goddess. The conversation delves into her temple at Abu Simbel, dedicated to Hathor, where she appears as tall as the pharaoh—a unique honor. They also examine her tomb in the Valley of the Queens, its exquisite wall paintings, and the mysterious 'she who must not be named' erased from history. Lucas highlights Nefertari's diplomatic correspondence with the Hittite queen Puduhepa and her possible role in the marriage of Ramses to a Hittite princess. The episode touches on her titles, including 'Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt,' and her identification with the goddess Hathor. Listeners learn about the discovery of her tomb in 1904 by Ernesto Schiaparelli and the ongoing conservation efforts by the Getty Conservation Institute. This episode offers a nuanced portrait of a queen who was both a political partner and a divine figure, whose legacy rivals that of her husband. #Nefertari #RamsesII #AbuSimbel #Hathor #ValleyOfTheQueens #Egyptology #AncientEgypt #GreatRoyalWife #Puduhepa #Hittites #PeaceTreaty #ErnestoSchiaparelli #GettyConservation #Pharaoh #Queen #History #FexingoHistory #NorthAfrica Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo