NEFERTITI

(End of the XV - beginning of the XIV century BC)

Ancient Egyptian queen, wife of Amenhotep IV, known in history under the name of Akhenaten. In 1912, the Amarna have been found poetic, subtle sculptural portraits of Nefertiti, the wizard Tutmesom. They are kept in museums in Cairo and Berlin.

One can only wonder unusual historical destiny of Queen Nefertiti. Thirty-three centuries, her name was forgotten, and when the brilliant French scientist F. Champollion in the early last century to decode the ancient Egyptian writing, something about it mentioned rarely and only in special academic papers.

XX century, as if demonstrating the quirkiness of human memory, offered Nefertiti to stardom. On the eve of World War I German expedition, ending the excavations in Egypt, as usual, presented the findings of the inspectors to check the "Service of Antiquities. " ("Service of Antiquities - Office, founded in 1858 to monitor archeological expeditions and protection of monuments of the past. ) Among the items allocated to the German museums, was unremarkable plastered stone block.

When he was brought to Berlin, he became the head of Nefertiti. The story, though archaeologists are not willing to part with a wonderful piece of art, wrapped bust of silver paper and then covered with plaster, correctly calculating that the invisible architectural detail will not attract attention. When it was discovered the scandal broke. His only extinguished the war began, after which the German Egyptologists deprived for some time the right to excavate in Egypt.

However, the invaluable artistic merit bust was worth even the victims. Nefertiti star was rising so rapidly if the woman was not an ancient Egyptian queen, and the modern movie star.

Photo — «Nefertiti»

Like a lot of centuries, the beauty of it was waiting for recognition, and finally, the time has come, aesthetic taste which raised Nefertiti to the top of success. This is her lovely head, long slender neck, straight nose gently delineated we must rapidly growing interest in Egyptian art, to the distant mythical past with its cult of the priests and the mystical esoteric knowledge. Or, conversely, our irrational age, feeling some kind of unconscious affinity for Egyptian culture ambitious, committed Nefertiti as a symbol of true female beauty?

Whom are in fact was the famous Nefertiti? Public status of its time - just one of the wives of numerous royal harem. Egyptian women possessed the secrets of unusual beauty recipes a secret passed down from mother to daughter, they were adept in matters of love, especially when you consider that they started to learn yet quite young - six or seven years - the age. In short, the lack of beautiful women in Egypt was not, on the contrary, all the old establishment know - worthy of a wife to be found on the banks of the Nile. Once the Babylonian ruler, to woo the daughter of Pharaoh, was rejected. Frustrated, he wrote a letter to the failed father-resentful: "Why do this to me?" In Egypt there are enough beautiful daughters. Find me a beautiful woman on your taste. Here (meaning Babylonia. - Auth. ) Nobody will notice that she was not royal Blood. "

Among so many worthy contenders for the ascent of Nefertiti seems incredible, almost fantastic. It is, of course, came from a noble family, is a close relative of her husband's nurse, and nurse rank in the Egyptian hierarchy was quite high. Nurse's husband Akhenaten of the first lord of the state, was the chief charioteer troops, and after the death of the pharaoh, even briefly served as governor of Egypt.

Photo — «Nefertiti»

However, in the royal palace in harems preferred to the most immediate relatives - nieces, sisters and even their own daughters to preserve the "purity of blood".

Nefertiti was the wife of Pharaoh is contrary to established traditions, and all of her reign was not evolved to the canons, sanctified by ancient cults. Apparently, somewhere here lies the answer to the question: Why in such a short period of ordinary concubine completely captured the heart of the all-powerful pharaoh.

I must say that the husband of Nefertiti and stand out from a long line of royal dynasty. Reign of Amenhotep IV of Egypt went down in history as the time of the "religious reforms. " This extraordinary man not afraid to fight the most powerful force in his state - the priestly caste, which, through its mystical, mysterious knowledge held in awe and the elite and the people of Egypt. Priests using sophisticated religious rites of many gods, gradually took over the leading position in the country. But Amenhotep IV was not one of those rulers who give up their power. And he declared war on the caste of priests.

Sole order he neither more nor less, abolished the old god Amon and appointed a new - Aten, and at the same time moved the capital of Egypt from Thebes to a new location, built new temples, crowned by their sculpted giants Aten-Ra, and renamed himself Akhenaten, meaning "pleasing to Aton. " One can only imagine the enormous effort it took to the new Pharaoh to break the consciousness of an entire country to win this dangerous war with the ministers of religion. And, of course, as in any battle, Akhenaten was a reliable ally. Apparently, such an ally - loyal, intelligent, strong - he found in the person of his wife - Nefertiti.

Photo — «Nefertiti»

History gave us no direct evidence by her husband of Nefertiti, but we dare rely on knowledge of human psychology. After his marriage to Nefertiti king forgot his harem, he is not a step would not let his young wife. Contrary to all decency woman first began to attend diplomatic receptions. Akhenaten did not hesitate to publicly consult with Nefertiti. Even leaving check outposts around the city, the Lord took with his wife, and the guard reported to now not only to the ruler, but also to his wife. Adoration of Nefertiti has surpassed all limits. Her huge, majestic statues adorned every Egyptian city.

It is unlikely that only the art of love, irresistible beauty can be attributed to an immense influence on Pharaoh Nefertiti. You can certainly suggest witchcraft. But we prefer a more realistic explanation for the success of the Egyptian queen - its a truly royal wisdom and a fanatical devotion to her husband. Moreover, we note that according to our notions of omnipotent Nefertiti was the age at all JNA, and easier to say - just a girl.

There were, of course, and the intrigues and jealousies and intrigues of those who could not grasp: why women run by the state and replace high-ranking advisors to Pharaoh. However, most of the nobles, as well as at any time, prefer not to quarrel with the wife of the ruler, and Nefertiti as a cornucopia of gifts and tributes poured asylum. But then a beautiful woman to show wisdom and dignity. She was busy only for those who, in her opinion, could benefit beloved husband, who could justify the confidence of Pharaoh.

It seemed that Nefertiti's immensely happy, but fate has no pleasure indefinitely, even to the elect few.

Photo — «Nefertiti»

The trouble came from that side, where it was not expected. Ancient Egyptian woman gave birth, squatting on two bricks. Midwives to adhere to it behind his back. It was believed that birthing bricks will help ease childbirth and to bring happiness. On each one carved head of the goddess Meshenit, who helped the baby to be born. Whenever he sat down on the blocks, Nefertiti Aten begged to give them an heir. But in this case, unfortunately, no great love for her husband, nor wisdom, nor all-powerful gods could not help. Six daughters of Nefertiti gave birth, and long-awaited son had not arrived.

It was then raised his head and envious enemies of the unfortunate queen. The Human Age in Ancient Egypt was short - 28-30 years. Death could take away the pharaoh at any moment, and then left the state without a direct heir to power. There were well-wishers who presented with a beautiful concubine of Akhenaten - Kia. It seemed that Nefertiti's power came to an end. But not so easy to forget his old love, even if you want something new, more thrills.

Akhenaten rushing from one woman to another: every now and then he was from the chambers Kia goes to the former favorite, and each time it is expected by hearty hospitality. But Nefertiti, apparently, being strong-willed selfish woman who could not forgive betrayal. External courtesy could not deceive Pharaoh, he knew, which is capable of true love. And he again returned to Kia.

So long. Chatter new concubine finally withdrew from Akhenaten himself - he was with whom to compare rival. Kia has been returned to the harem. She tried to resist, calling her husband back, sank, apparently in normal female hysteria.

Photo — «Nefertiti»

Only after the eunuch severely punished her lashes, she calmed down, realizing that the royal highness came to an end.

They are already no longer be in the old ways - Nefertiti and Akhenaten. Last love glue failed, but in this situation came up out of Nefertiti, showing a truly public mind. We act Nefertiti seems, of course, the wild, but do not forget that we are talking about Ancient Egypt. Nefertiti wife of Akhenaton invited to their third daughter - a young Anhesenamon and she taught her the art of love, the love that is always lit the pharaoh.

History, of course, sad, but the circumstances are stronger than man. Three years later Anhesenamon widowed. She was the eleventh year, and it again was married to Tutankhamun's great. The capital was again returned to Thebes, the country again began to worship the god Amun-Ra. And only Nefertiti, reconnect the old biases, has remained in Akhenaton, from which slowly and gradually disappearing life.

The queen died, the city was deserted completely, and buried her, as she requested, in the tomb of Akhenaten.

And after thirty centuries of its image as if risen from the ashes, disturbing our imagination and forcing more and more time thinking about the secret of beauty: it is - a vessel in which a void, or fire, shimmering in the vessel? "