Greedy scribes, revered ancestors, wives and concubines: the thousand and one faces of the world of Ramses II

This article is excerpted from the Figaro Special issue "Ramses II, the exhibition event of the Grande Halle de la Villette". Discover the greatness and mysteries of ancient Egypt through the life of the greatest pharaoh builder, genius propagandist, protector of the arts, father of more than a hundred children... 160 sumptuously illustrated pages.

"Ramses II, the exhibition event of the Grande Halle de la Villette" Le Figaro Special Edition

Ahmose Nefertari and Amenhotep I, rulers worshipped under Ramses

Ahmose Nefertari and Amenhotep I. Stefano Carloni for Le Figaro Hors-série

It was at the beginning of the New Kingdom, under the reigns of Ahmose (circa 1550-1525 BC), his wife Ahmose Nefertari and their son Amenhotep I (circa 1525-1504 BC), that Egypt entered a new, glorious and conquering era, which restored its unity and greatness. It appears that the queens played at this time a singular political and religious role. The first queen of Egypt to bear the title of "divine wife", Ahmes Nefertari is endowed with essential cult attributions within the great domain of the god Amun in Karnak. On the death of her husband, she became regent during the childhood of their son, Pharaoh Amenhotep I, who was soon determined to...

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