Nefertiti: the infamous Queen of Egypt, known throughout the ages for her spectacular beauty. But

After her death her story captivated historians, storytellers, and the general public. She was known as one of the most powerful rulers of Egypt and was said to of held the country

Along with his striking religious changes, Akhenaten also led a political revolution, namely in the perception of the pharaoh. One of the most visible changes in Akhenaten’s reign was a drastic change in art. Public perception of the pharaoh was essential to political power, but Akhenaten's portraits do not portray the pharaoh in the “larger-than-life” style associated with other New Kingdom rulers. Firstly, Akhenaten was feminine in appearance, and is shown affectionately playing with his children and Nefertiti. Amarna art is realistic and Akhenaten chose to portray a reality no other pharaoh had been willing to show. Nicholas Reeves explains these changes: “In Akhenaten’s ‘new look’ these striking changes in composition and gesture, which

Cleopatra was years ahead of her time in terms of political agenda and intellectual warfare. Cleopatra should be known as an important individual in history because of her influence in the direction of Egyptian history. She was extremely intelligent, calculating, and a master of manipulation. She used her power of sexual appeal to benefit herself and her status with society. Cleopatra had strong relations with powerful men of the era, but she still managed to surpass them with her superior intellect, and abuse their lustful obedience. Her beauty was a subject and also an inspiration for art in popular Western culture. Cleopatra’s importance in Europe should be known because she greatly impacted social development.

Egyptian ancient civilization was born along the Nile River and lived for more than 3,000 years. Not only famous for the pyramids at Giza staying there with dignity reminding the wonderful past, Egypt is also famous for its pharaohs. Nefertiti and Cleopatra important figures of Egypt, famous for their beauties and deeds appear remarkable in many parts of the great ancient history. Staying in front of each other these queens have so many differences but so many things in common too. Each lady has her own personality and beauty and did great things for her country and people. But what do modern and ancient people think about them? Do they respect and admire them the same?

Queen Nefertiti, the most powerful woman in Egypt since the Pharaoh Hatshepsut 100 years earlier. She was as influential as she was beautiful, being a partner in power with her king and husband, Akhenaten. Together, the couple co-reigned over Egypt attempting to completely transform Egyptian religion.

Hatshepsut, also known as the first female pharaoh to obtain full power and one of the most successful rulers of ancient Egypt. Hatshepsut accomplished many things during her reign. She successfully re-established trade routes and construction projects. She also had a successful military career and claims she fought alongside soldiers in battle. Thus making Hatshepsut one of the most successful rulers in ancient Egyptian history.

Queen Hatshepsut ruled Egypt from 1473 B.C.E. to 1458 B.C.E. She is known for her search of myrrh, and when she died, her name was removed from all the recorded in opposition to a woman ruler.

Cleopatra and Empress Wu Zetian were two very powerful women of their time. Cleopatra, Last Pharaoh of Egypt. As queen of Egypt, Cleopatra is one of the most famous female rulers in history. Cleopatra’s family ruled Eygpt for more than 100 years before she was born around 69 BC.

Queen Hatshepsut ruled Egypt from 1473 B.C.E. to 1458 B.C.E. She is known for her search of myrrh, and when she died, her name was removed from all the recorded in opposition to a woman ruler.

(Accomplishment-Nefertiti, 2017) She was patient, stable, and accepted by her people throughout here reign. Many adored her beauty. She had a statue of herself made so people would remember her and always admire her beauty. The sculpture is considered the most plagiarized artwork of ancient Egypt. She was believed to have ruled as Neferneferauaten after the death of the Pharaoh and before the reign of King Tutankhamen. (Abram, 2007) Nefertiti was known by many names such as; Hereditary Princess, Great of Praises, Lady of Grace, Sweet of Love, Lady of the Two Lands, Main King’s Wife, his beloved Great King’s Wife, his beloved Lady of all Women; and Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt. (Tyldesley, 2017) To this day, Nefertiti’s body has yet to be discovered.

Religion was a significant issue throughout the eighteenth dynasty of Egypt, also known as the Amarna period, and shortly after it. Within the infantry stage of the new pharaoh Akhenaten’s reign, he had turned the customary polytheistic religion worshiped by citizens for many years into a monotheistic worship of the Aten, a god represented by the sun disk. Furthermore, Akhenaten possessed such strong beliefs for the god Aten that he created a new city, Amarna, where all could worship Aten, singularly. Akhenaten's obsession caused the devotion of the Aten to become more of a cult than a religion. Within the Great Hymn to the Aten Akhenaten states that only he “knows” Aten, meaning when citizens pray to Aten, they are not allowed to pray directly

This first act as king brought with him a shocking speculation and hostility between his throne and the priesthood of Amun. Inside the temple was an entirely new style of art, which was often described, as “naturalistic” in Akhenaten’s portrayal of the human body. No longer was the Pharaoh portrayed as half animal with the perfect body fitted for the afterlife. Akhenaten and the royal family were shown with long toes, massive hips, extremely long fingers, skinny torso, ample breasts, big buttocks, and an elongated face. This exaggeration of the royal family’s bodies altered classic Egyptian art and became better known as Amarna Art.

The Bust of Queen Nefertiti, which was created in 1340 BC by an unknown artist, is perhaps the most famous depiction of the Queen during her reign. The bust, being held at the Egyptian Museum in Berlin, shows an important connection between the artist and the queen herself

Amenhotep IV was the first pharaoh to challenge the Egyptian culture and religious beliefs. His decision to make Aten, “The God of the Sun Disk”, the only god, took power away from the temple priests. Before Amenhotep IV made the changes, Egypt practiced polytheism not only worshiping the Sun Disk God, but around 12 other gods with roles such as fertility, the sky, the Nile River, childbirth, etc. With Egypt practicing monotheisms the temple priest have lost control of any political or religious gain they once held. This will be the first time Egypt practices monotheism. In making this change Amenhotep IV became known as Akhenaten, “Shining Spirit of Aten”. Becoming Akhenaten was not the only changes reflected from his reign as pharaoh.

Through the years of Egyptian art, many various pieces hold a great deal of significance and beauty to their names. One piece in particular, known as the Bust of Nefertiti, which was crafted by Thutmose, radiates beauty as well as demonstrates a number of characteristics and skills from Egyptian art. This portrait came about during the 18th dynasty around 1350-1335 BCE. The piece shows Nefertiti, who was a queen of Egypt, from the neck up. The Bust of Nefertiti was made to portray Akhenaten's wife as an elegant beauty with a soft facial expression, using curving contour accompanied by a few other methods to display these features.