God's Wife of Amun

God's Wife of Amun by Anneke Bart The God's Wife of Amun was the highest ranking priestess in the cult of Amun. She was associated with the temple of Amun in Karnak. When Queen Ahmose Nefertari was given the position of God's Wife, land and property was endowed for this priestly position. The Divine adoratrix was a priestess ranking slightly below the God's Wife and she may have served as a deputy or stand in for the God's Wife. The position of God's Wife of Amun was reserved for royal women. The position was usually given to the mother of the king (in the earlier part of the new kingdom) or to the daughter of a king. The position of divine adoratrix could be held by non-royal women as well. God's Wife (of Amun) - hmt ntjr (en imn) Divine Adoratrix - dwat ntjr God's Hand - djrt ntjr 18th dynasty Sit-ir-bau: Royal woman from the early 18th or late 17th dynasty depicted in the tomb of Khabeknet. Titles: God's Wife (hmt-ntr), Lady of The Two Lands (nbt-t3wy) [Grajetski, Kitchen: Ramesside Inscriptions Vol III] Ta-khered-qa: Royal woman from the early 18th or late 17th dynasty depicted in the tomb of Khabeknet. Titles: God's Wife (hmt-ntr), Lady of The Two Lands (nbt-t3wy) [Grajetski, Kitchen: Ramesside Inscriptions Vol III]

Close-up of a scene in the tomb of Khabeknet. The four ladies on the left are all God's Wives. From left to right: [...], Ta-khered-qa, Sit-ir-bau, and Kamose (same as SitKamose?) From Lepsius, Abt 3, Band 5, Bl. 2 Ahhotep I : Wife of Seqenenre Tao II and mother of Ahmose. The title God’s Wife only appears on her coffin. Ahmose Nefertari: Daughter of Seqenenre Tao II and sister-wife of Ahmose. She was the first God’s Wife of Amun and was the female counterpart of the High Priest of Amun. Betsy Bryan, Property and the God’s Wives of Amun, Johns Hopkins University, pdf file

Ahmose-Nefertari and her son Amenhotep I as depicted in a tomb in Qurna. Ahmose Nefertari had the title God's Wife. See Lepsius Abt III, Band 7, Bl. 99 Sit-Kamose: probably a daughter of Kamose. May have become a God's Wife only posthumously. A lady called Kamose is depicted in the tomb of Khabeknet. She is named: God's Wife, Lady of Both Lands, Kamose, may she live. [Kitchen: Ramesside Inscriptions Vol III] Meryetamun: Daughter of Ahmose and sister-wife of Amenhotep I. Her tomb was found in the hills of Thebes. On her coffin is an inscription identifying her: "the King gives a boon to Osiris, the Great God, Lord of Abydos, that he may cause to come forth at the call, bread and beer, beef and fowl, bandages, incense and unguents and all things good and pure on which a god lives, and the sweet north wind, for the spirit of the King's Daughter and Sister, the God's Wife, the King's Great Wife, joined to the Crown of Upper Egypt. Mistress of the Two Lands, Meryet-Amun true of voice with Osiris." From: The Egyptian Expedition 1928-1929: The Museum's Excavations at Thebes by H. E. Winlock The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, Vol. 24, No. 11, (Nov., 1929), pp. 1+3-34. (Ahmose-)Sitamun: daughter of Ahmose and possibly (?) represented as a colossal statue in front of the eight pylon at Karnak. A bracelet inscribed for "The God's Wife Sitamun, beloved of Amun" on one side and "The God's Wife, Ahmose Nefertari, beloved of Amun-Ra" on the other side is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From: Egyptian Art, by C. Lilyquist, Notable Acquisitions (Metropolitan Museum of Art) (1980) Hatshepsut: Daughter of Tuthmosis I and Queen Ahmose. From this time period: TT 224 - Ahmose Humay, Overseer of the estate of the God's Wife, Overseer of the double granaries of the God's Wife Ahmose-Nefertary Temp. Tuthmosis III - Hatshepsut Parents: Senusert and Taidy; Wife: Nub (Royal concubine)

Neferure: Daughter of Tuthmosis II and Queen-Pharaoh Hatshepsut. Possibly wife of Tuthmosis III Seniseneb: divine adoratrice of Amun and a temple singer. Seniseneb was the daughter of the High Priest of Amun and Vizier Hapuseneb and his wife Ahhotep. Seniseneb married the second priest of Amun Puyemre. Thutmose III: A New Biography, by O’Conner and Cline (eds) pg. 107, 110

Isis: Mother of Tuthmosis III. Received the title of GW after her death. Sitiah: Wife of Tuthmosis III in the early part of his reign. Huy: Divine Adoratrix. Mother of Queen Merytre Hatshepsut. Known from a statue depciting Huy with several of her grand-children. On the statue the inscription reads: Favorite Loved one of the Lord of the Two Lands, Superior of the harem in the Temple of [Amen], Superior of the harem in the Temple of Re,Divine adoratrix of [Amen], Divine adoratrix in the Temple of Atum, She Who Bore the God's Wife and the King's Principal Wife Merytre-Hatshepsut: Titles: Hereditary Princess (iryt-p`t), Sole One, Great of Praises (wrt-hzwt-w’tit), King’s Mother (mwt-niswt), Lady of The Two Lands (nbt-t3wy), King’s Wife (hmt-nisw), Great King’s Wife (hmt-niswtwrt), God’s Wife (hmt-ntr), God’s Hand (djrt-ntr). Wife of Tuthmosis III. She was the daughter of the Divine Adoratrix Huy.

Merytre (Hatshepsut) with her son Amenhotep II.

Her titles here are: King’s Mother (mwt-niswt), Great King’s Wife (hmtniswt-wrt), God’s Wife (hmt-ntr), God’s Hand (djrt-ntr) (TT72) Merytamun: Daughter of Tuthmosis III and Merytre-Hatshepsut. Depicted in the Hathor shrine behind her father Tuthmosis.

The God's Wife Merytamen depicted behind her father Tuthmosis III. Image from: The Egyptian Expedition 1928-1929: The Museum's Excavations at Thebes by H. E. Winlock The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, Vol. 24, No. 11, (Nov., 1929) Tiaa: Wife of Amenhotep II and mother of Tuthmosis IV. From this time period we have Hety, Steward of the god's wife of Amun, Scribe, and Counter of cattle of the God's Wife of Amun. He was the son of Nebnufer and Men. His father was also a "Counter of cattle of the God's Wife of Amun". Hety was married to the lady Nefertary. Hety was buried in TT151.

Maetka, Divine Adoratrix of Amun Time of Amenhotep III. Maetka was the wife of Senena, Head goldsmith of Amun. She is mentioned inTheban Tomb TT169, the tomb of her husband. [Porter and Moss] [...] Unidentified God's Wife and God's Hand depicted in Luxor. A priestess

- only described as God's Wife and God's Hand - appears behind Amenhotep III. For a more complete picture of this scene see: History of God's Wives, by Karl Leser. link

Unidentified God's Wife from the time of Amenhotep III. [...Mut...] Unidentified God's Wife known from a statue from the temple of Hathor at Dendera. Her titles include God's Wife, King's Chief Wife, His Beloved, and Mistress of the Two Lands. Other epithets include: 'causing hearts to be joyful', 'Sovereign Lady exalted with the Two Feathers', 'soothing her Lord (or Horus, i.e. the King) with her voice'. Her name includes the glyphs for Mut and speculation about her identity ranges from Mutemwia, to Mutnodjemet, to Mut-Tuya, to NefertariMerytmut. Aldred suggested this might be Mutnodjemet, Horemheb's Queen. He based his theory on the fact that the style of dress points to a post Amarna period Queen, which excludes Mutemwia. The titles and epithets are closer to those of the Amarna period and would then point to Mutnodjemet. There is no other evidence that Mutnodjemet served in the capacity of God's Wife. (See also Cyril Aldred: Two Monuments of the Reign of Horemheb, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, Vol. 54. (Aug., 1968), pp. 100-106. )

Back of the statue of the God's Wife of Amun from the Temple of Hathor at Dendera (click on picture for larger image). On the right the staue shown as it lies on the temple grounds. The ribbons of the sash are visible. It appears as though the Queen was shown in a striding position. (Photos courtesy of Sesen) 19th and 20th Dynasty Sitre: She was the wife of Ramses I and the mother of Seti I. She may have been named Tia before her husband came to the throne (according to the 400 year stela.) Her titles include: God’s Wife (hmt-ntr), Great King’s Wife, his beloved (hmt-niswt-wrt meryt.f), Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt (hnwt-Shm’w-mhw) (Mut-)Tuy: Wife of Seti I and mother of Ramesses II. Her title of God's Wife is mentioned on her Vatican Statue, blocks from Tanis, a statue from Medinet Habu (originally the Ramesseum), an inscription from the

Ramesseum, and the inscriptions from the great temple of Abu Simbel. [Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions, Vol II] Nefertari-Merymut: Wife of Ramesses II. Nefertari may have been the de facto God's Wife. This theory is based on epithets in her tomb, on scarabs, on a fragment of a statue from Dendara (PM V, 115), her insignia, and the designation of the royal couple as incarnations on earth of the divine couple Amun(-Re) and Mut(-Hathor). Kichen mentions she is attested twice as God's wife in her tomb QV66. [Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions, Vol II] ?Merytamun: Daughter-Wife of Ramesses II. She was the daughter of Nefertari-Merymut. Merytamun was "Superior of the Harem of Amun-Ra". It's not certain that she also served as God's Wife. There is an interesting vase at the Louvre belonging to a great royal wife Merytamen. The Louvre website identifies the lady as the daughter-wife of Ramesses II. Above the great royal wife title are some glyphs that see to identify the lady as a god's wife, or maybe sister of a god's wife? It's possible this vase belongs to a Queen Merytamun from the 18th dynasty instead.

Vase belonging to a Queen Merytamen. (Louvre N 465) Found in Saqqara. Tawosret: King’s Great Wife, Lady of the Two Lands, Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt, God’s Wife Wife of Sety II, Regent for Siptah and later declared pharaoh in her own right. Temple of Amada : Tawosret is depicted on one of the doorjambs and her titles are God’s Wife and Great King’s Wife. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 183] Isis-Ta-Hemdjert: King’s Great Wife, King’s Mother, God’s Wife Wife of Ramesses III and mother of Ramesses IV. Participated in the installation of her grand-daughter Iset as God’s Wife of Amun. [DodsonHilton, pg 192] (Dua)Tentopet: Adoratrix, King’s Daughter, King’s Wife, King’s Mother. Tentopet was the wife of Ramesses IV. Only seems to have been an adoratrix and never a God’s Wife. Buried in Queens valley tomb QV74. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 192]

Isis: (Iset, Aset) King’s Daughter, Adoratrix, God’s Wife of Amun Daughter of Ramesses VI. Depicted as an adoratrix on a stela from Koptos. The title is incorporated into her cartouche on this monument, rendering her name as Duat-Netjer-Iset. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 190] Her installation as God’s Wife of Amun is mentioned on a block from Karnak. [Dodson-Hilton, image of inscription on pg 193 Tyti: King’s Daughter, King’s Sister, King’s Wife, King’s Mother, God’s Wife. Possibly wife of Ramesses X. Buried in QV 52 in the Valley of the Queens [Dodson-Hilton]

21st dynasty and later Maatkare (prenomen Mutemhat) King’s Daughter of his body, Adoratrix, God’s Wife of Amun. Daughter of Pinudjem I and Queen Henuttawy. Mentioned as God’s Wife of Amun on the façade of the Khonsu temple in Karnak. Her mummy and funerary equipment were found in DB320. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 197, 206] This scene is also mentioned by Wente. He states that performs "She performs alone in the presence of Amon-Re and Khonsu. In one case her titles are r-p't(t),w 'rt hsw't, hmt-ntr n 'Imn m 'Ipt-sw't, s't-nsw n kt. f, nbt t'wy, Hereditary princess, great of favors, God's Wife of Amun in Karnak, king's bodily daughter, Lady of the Two Lands, and in the other hmt-ntrn 'Imn m 'Ipt-swt, s't-nsw n (ht.f), nbt t'wy, God's Wife of Amun in Karnak, king's (bodily) daughter, Lady of the Two Lands." (On the Chronology of the Twenty-First Dynasty E. F. Wente Journal of Near Eastern Studies, Vol. 26, No. 3. (Jul., 1967), pp. 155-176.) Also known from a shabti from University College London - UC39863

Maatkare depicted on the pylon of the Khons temple. From Lepsius, Abt III, Band 8, pg 248 There's another depiction of Maatkare on Lepsius, Abt III, Band 8, pg 249 .Henuttawy: God’s Wife of Amun and Adoratrix Possibly a daughter of Pinudjem II and Isetemkheb. Her name is written with the adoratrix title In the cartouche as Duat-netjer-Henuttawy. Only known from several shabtis. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 205]

Henuttawy. from Lepsius, Abt III, Band 8, pg 249 Karomama Meryetmut (prenomen: Sitamen Mutemhat): God’s Wife of Amun, Lady of the Two Lands, Adoratrix. Possibly a daughter of Osorkon II. Karomama served as God’s Wife of Amun under Osorkon II and his successors. [Dodson-Hilton pg 217, 219-20] Bronze statue of Karomama now in the Louvre (N500) The statue depicts Karomama with a short Nubian style wig. A uraeus must have decorated the front of the wig, but was broken off. Her hands are held out in front of her and it looks as though they would have grasped something. She wears an elaborate dress which is made to resemble wings encircling her body. This statue was dedicated by her treasurer Ahentefnakhte. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 220]

The God's Wife Karomama (Jon Bodsworth) Usurped statue from the 18th dynasty. The statue depicts a priest holding a Naos. This statue was usurped by a 22nd dynasty priest and the scene changed to depict Karomama Meryetmut. Karomama shakes two sistra beore a seated statue of Amen-Re who is depicted with a Ram’s head and two double plumes. Karomama wears a long pleated dress. She wears a short Nubian style wig with a uraeus on her brow. Her modius is by a fairly large vulture whose outstretched wings seem to protect a crowned cobra. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 219]

? Tashakheper: The God’s Wife Tashakheper is mentioned in grafitto in the temple of Khonsu under Takelot III. She may be a daughter of Osorkon II. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 223] She may have served for only a very short time. A possible date would be ca. 770 BC [Kitchen] Shepenwepet I (prenomen: Khnemet-ib-amun):

Shepenwepet, Khnemet-ib-Amun Daughter of Osorkon III and Queen Karoatjet. Titles: King’s Daughter, Adoratrix, God’s Wife of Amun. Served as God’s Wife from the beginning of her father’s reign [Dodson-Hilton, pg 231]. Temple of Osiris Heqadjet (Karnak): The inner shrine shows the coronation of Osorkon III and Takelot III. Shepenwepet I is depicted being suckled by a goddess and being crowned (Morkot)

Two different depictions of Shepenwepet I from the Temple of Osiris Heqadjet from Karnak. Line drawings after photographs from KMT Journal Article.

Amenirdis I (Prenomen: Khaneferumut):

Hieroglyphics spelling out the names of Amenirdis Khaneferumut. Created by Jean Rijlant. For full titles and inscriptions see Amenirdis King’s daughter (sat-nesw), God’s Adoratrix (dwat-netjer), God’s Hand (djeret-netjer), God’s Wife of Amun (hemet netjer-en-amun). Daughter of Kashta and Queen Pebatjma, Sister of Shabaka and likely sister of Piye, Queen Khensa, Queen Peksater and princess Neferukakashta. (Dodson-Hilton, Pg 238) Amenirdis was installed in Thebes as the heiress to Shepenwepet I by either Kashta (her father) or Piye. As heiress she would have been given the title of Adorer of the God (dwat-netjer). It is not known when Shepenwepet I died and Amenirdis became God’s Wife, but it may have been during the reign of Shabaqa. At that time Amenirdis had adopted her niece Shepenwepet II, daughter of Piye as her successor. Amenirdis died during the reign of Taharqa. She was succeeded by Shepenwepet II (Morkot)

Amenirdis before Amun; On the right: line drawing of Amenirdis. (Photo by Alain Guilleux - for more detail and more pictures see: temple of Amenirdis) Temple of Osiris Heqadjet (Karnak): Shebitqo (Shabataqa) and Amenirdis add a small court and a pylon to this temple. Amenirdis as shown with Shebitqo making offerings to Amun. Wadi Hamamat: Inscriptions dated to year 12 of Shabaqo can be found and some also mention Amenirdis. [Dodson-Hilton] Statue of Amenirdis from Karnak, now in the Cairo Museum (CM CG565):

Amenirdis is depicted wearing a tripartite wig, with a vulture headdress and three uraei on her brow. She wears a fairly simple sheet dress and carries a fly whisk in her left hand. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 235] See also: Alain Guilleux - page for wonderful full length image. Burial: Funerary Chapel in Medinet Habu

Amenirdis I (British Museum) Statue of Amenirdis in the Aswan Museum. Amenirdis is depicted with the vulture headdress, a modius and the double plumes combined with the horned sundisk. The face of the statue is sadly damaged. This image is courtesy of Alain Guilleux. More detailed and full length images appear on his website (link)

From this time period we have: TT37 - Harwa, Chief Steward of the God's Wife Amenardis I. Saite Period. (25th dyn) Parents: Pedemut (Scribe) and Estaweret.

Shepenwepet II (Prenomen: Henut-neferumut-iryetre):

Hieroglyphics spelling out the names of Shepenwepet Henut-neferumutiryetre. Created by Jean Rijlant. For more inscriptions see: Shepenwepet II Daughter of Piye. She was a (half-)sister of King Taharqa, Queen Qalhata (wife of Shabaka) as well as sister to several of Taharqa’s wives. [DodsonHilton, pg 240] Served as God’s Wife from the reign of Taharqa until after year 9 of Psamtik I. Sphinx of Shepenwepet II from the sacred lake at Karnak now in Berlin (7972): Shepenwepet has the body of a lion, but she is depicted with human arms and hands which are stretched out and are holding a ram-headed jar. She .wears what seems like a Hathor like wig Inscription at Wadi Gasus: Psamtik is shown offering to Amun-Min. Behind him stands his daughter the adoratrix Neithiqert, behind her stands the God’s Wife Shepenwepet (II). Shepenwepet has the titles God’s Wife and “her Mother” (hmt ntjr and mut-s). Above and to the right of this inscription are the cartouches of the God’s Wife Shepenwepet and the Adoratrix Amenirdis with the years 19 and 12 associated with them. These inscriptions seem to refer to Shepenwepet I and Amenirdis I. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 242]

Shepenwepet II, Alexandria Museum From Wikimedia See also base of statue from digitalegypt with inscription: Words spoken, O Osiris divine adoractrice Shepenwepet, true of voice, your sister Isis comes to you rejoicing through love of you when she sees you. When your steps approach (?) her, she protects you. You should not drown. She (gives) for you breath for your nostrils that you may live, the Osiris (...) Shepenwepet, true of voice, king's daughter of Piy. Also in the collection are a shabti UC40089, A brick UC14843, and A cartouche UC 14742

Amenirdis II:

Name and title of Amenirdis II Created by Jean Rijlant, from Amenirdis II Daughter of Taharqa. Titles: King’s Daughter, Adoratrix, God’s Hand. Adopted as heir by Shepenwepet II. Amenirdis II then adopted Neitiqret I as her own heir in year 9 of Psamtik I. At the death of Shepenwepet II, the title of God’s Wife passed over Amenirdis and the position went to Neitiqret. Amenirdis seems to have remained in office as Adoratrix. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 238] Lintel from Karnak (Temple of Osiris Pedeankh?) (CM JE29254B) From left to right we see: The Adoratrix Shepenwepet (IV) before Amen-Re. The God’s hand Amenirdis (II) before Amen-Re and Mut: Amenirdis is depicted with the vulture headdress and double plumes. She’s offering Maat to Amen-Re and Mut. She’s identified as God’s Hand Amenirdis, King’s daughter [..]djrt-ntjr (Imn-r-di-s)| sat nsw [..] The God’s Wife Neithiqret before Amen-re and another god. The Adoratrix Shepenwepet (IV) before Amen-Re. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 244] A base of a statue UC14739 records the titles Divine Adoratrix and God's Wife for Amenirdis. Dodson A, The problem of Amenirdis II and the heirs to the office of God's wife of Amun during the twenty-sixth dynasty, Journal of Egyptian archaeology, 2002, vol. 88, pp. 179-186

Facade of tombs mentioning Shepenwepet, Neitiqret and Psamtik. For more detail see: Lepsius, Abt III, Band 8, Page 270 For more images see: Lepsius, Abt III, Band 8, Page 271 and Lepsius, Abt III, Band 8, Page 272 Neitiqert (Nitokris) Shepenwepet III prenomen: Nebetneferumut

Neithiqret merymut, Neb(et)neferumut Daughter of Psamtik I and Queen Mehytenweskhet Lintel from Karnak (Temple of Osiris Pedeankh?) (CM JE29254B) From left to right we see: The Adoratrix Shepenwepet (IV) before Amen-Re. The God’s hand Amenirdis (II) before Amen-Re and Mut: The God’s Wife Neithiqret before Amen-re and another god. Neithiqret wears the vulture headdress and double plumes. She is offering Maat to the Gods. She’s identified as God’s Wife Neithiqret, King’s Daughter (of) Psamtik (I). The Adoratrix Shepenwepet (IV) before Amen-Re. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 244] A shabti This object can be found in the collection of University College London, UC38078

Temple lintel (from Karnak ?) The lintel shows Necho II, Nitocris I, and Pedehorresnet (c.f. TT196) before several gods and goddesses Cairo, Egyptian Museum, Temp. No. 28.5.25.4. (This scene seems to date to the time of Necho II) (Topological bibliography - Reliefs and Paintings by Malek) A lintel (from a temple ?) The inscription shows cartouches of Nitocris I (daughter of Psamtik I) and Shepenwepet II, God’s wife. Dated to the time of Psamtik I (London, Charles Ede Ltd) (Topological bibliography - Reliefs and Paintings by Malek) Temple relief Two Nile gods are shown carrying trays with offerings The inscriptions include cartouches of Nitocris I (now in the Robert McDougall Art Gallery.) (Topological bibliography - Reliefs and Paintings by Malek)

Nitocris/Shepenwepet before Amun in TT279 - the tomb of Pabes (Photo by Alain Guilleux - for more info see Pabes page) From this time period we have: TT36 - Ibi: Chief steward of the Divine Adoratrix (likely Nitocris), Late Period temple-tomb Temp. Psametik I. Parents: Ankh-hor (Divine Father) and De-ubasteiri; Wife: Shepenernute. Sons: Pedehor[resnet] and Pedepeneferenirtef. Nitocris and Shepenwepet are mentioned in the tomb. TT 279 - Pabes, Chief steward of the god's wife, Temp. Psametik I. Parents: Pedubaste (Divine father, beloved of the god) and Tasentenhor. Son: Tahorpakhepesh Nitocris is mentioned in the Tomb.

Shepenwepet IV Possibly a daughter of King Nekau II and Queen Khedeb-neith-hirbinet. Served as God’s Adoratix.

Lintel from Karnak (Temple of Osiris Pedeankh?) (CM JE29254B) From left to right we see: The Adoratrix Shepenwepet (IV) before Amen-Re. Shepenwepet is shown shaking two sistra before Amen-Ra. She’s shown with the High Steward of the Adoratrix Pedihorresnet. Shepenwepet wears the vulture headdress and double plumes. The God’s hand Amenirdis (II) before Amen-Re and Mut: The God’s Wife Neithiqret before Amen-re and another god. The Adoratrix Shepenwepet (IV) before Amen-Re. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 244] Ankhenesneferibre (Prenomen: Hekaneferumerymut):

Ankhnesneferibre Hekaneferu-merymut Daughter of Psamtik II and Queen Takhuit. Titles: King’s Daughter of his Body, Great of Sceptre, God’s Wife of Amun, High Priest(ess) of Amun.

Ankhnesneferibre as depicted in Karnak. For the image on the left and more see: Lepsius, Abt III, Band 8, Page 273 For the image on the right and more see: Lepsius, Abt III, Band 8, Page 274 Adopted by Neitiqret as recorded on a stela in Karnak. Became God’s Wife of Amun in year 4 of the reign of her brother Wahibre. After her father’s accession she was given the title of High Priest of Amun. The post of High Priest seems to have been vacant after Harkhebi served in that role during

the reign of Psamtik I. [Dodson-Hilton]

On the left we see Psamtik before Amun and Mut. On the right Ankhnesneferibre (followed by the steward Seshonq) stands before Amun and Khons. The Adoption Stela, from: Leahy A., The adoption of Ankhnesneferibre at Karnak Sarcophagus Lid now in the British Museum (BM EA32)

The black basalt lid shows the God’s wife carrying a crook and flail. She wears a beautiful pleated robe and wears the vulture headdress topped with the double plumes as well as the horned sun-disk. [Dodson-Hilton, pg 245] (Statue of Ankhnesneferibre from Karnak, now in the Nubian Museum Ankhnesneferibre is depicted with a short Nubian style wig. She has one uraeus on her brow. The wig is topped with a uraeus encircled modius which .in turn is topped by double plumes in combination with the horned sundisk Statue of Bastet with the name and title of Ankhnesneferibre - UC36443

Leahy A., The adoption of Ankhnesneferibre at Karnak, Journal of Egyptian archaeology, 1996, vol. 82, pp. 145-165 :From this time period we have TT 197 - Pedeneith, Chief steward of the God's Wife of Amun, the Divine Adoratrix Ankhnesneferibre, Temp. Psametik II Parents: Psammethek and Tadehubaste TT 242 - Wahibra, Chamberlain of the god's wife of Amun Ankhnesneferibra, Late Period - Saite Parents: Pedeamunnai and Mutardais; Wife: Tadepanehep. Sons: Psammethek (Chamberlain to the .God's Wife) and Pedehorresnet called Harpemai TT 27 - Sheshonq, high steward of the divine adoratrix Anknesneferibre, Temp. Apries and Amasis. Parents: Harsiesi (Chamberlain of the divine adoratrix) and Tahibet.There is mention in the tomb of a son named Harsiesi, chamberlain of the divine adoratrix, Head of the secrets of the God's .Wife Nitocris in the House of Purification

Nitokris II: Daughter of Ahmose II and Ankhenesneferibre’s intended .successor. Probably never served due to the Persian invasion

:Info comes from Dodson and Hilton: The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt, .1 London 2004 Porter and Moss, Topographical Bibliograpy of Ancient Egyptian .2 Hieroglyphic Texts, Reliefs and Paintings: The Theban Necropolis, Part One: Private Tombs. Second Edition. Griffith Institute. Oxford. 1994 Schmidt, Heike C., Ein Fall von Amtsanmassung? Die Gottesgemahlin .3 .Nefertari-Meritenmut, GM 140 (1994), 81-92