Nefertiti

Nefertiti

"Ruler of the Nile," "Daughter of Gods," and "Empress of the Mediterranean" or let us say Nefertiti; she was the female pharaoh who followed Hatshepsut and remained more controversial than her precedent. Nefertiti was the Queen of Egypt and co-ruled Egypt between 1379 and 1358 BC. She was the daughter of Ay (who would become Pharaoh after Tutankhamun's death) and the beloved wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten. Nefertiti and Akhenaten had six daughters but no sons. Her name literally means 'a beautiful woman has arrived'.

As a woman, Queen Nefertiti followed the tradition of being her husband's partner in life, and as much she supported Akhenaton in his religious mission. Akhenaton made a unique impression on Egypt's history, when he began to promote the worship of one god above all others - the 'sun-god' Re or Ra. The queen actively involved in her husband's restructuring policies, she is shown wearing kingly regalia, executing foreign prisoners. Both – Nefertiti and Akhenaton – were said to be very much in love and at times inseparable. Many pictures show the whole family in domestic scenes. She seemed to be a beloved wife and mother. King Akhenaton's love was noted as legendary - the following is a love letter/poem to his Queen Nefertiti:

"...The Heiress, Great in Favour, Lady of Grace, Sweet of Love, Mistress of the South and North, Fair of Face, Gay with two Plumes, Beloved of the Living Aten (the king), the Chief Wife of the King whom he Loves, Lady of the two Lands, Great of love, Nefertiti, Living Forever and Ever…"

Throughout the Eighteenth Dynasty royal women played a significant and visible role in state and religious affairs. Nefertiti continued this tradition by actively assisting her husband in his attempt to convert Egypt to monotheism; she was an enthusiastic supporter and a full partner in the process of spreading the new religion. No look at the life of Nefertiti would be complete without a review of this religious revolution. She was influential in establishing one of the world's first monotheistic religions. Moreover, Nefertiti was pictured killing the enemies of Egypt in a scene normally reserved for pharaohs and she was shown with her husband awarding gold to royal favorites at the Window of Appearance.

By Year 14 of Akhenaten's reign Nefertiti had disappeared from view yet there is no record of her death nor has her mummy or place of burial been found. This has led to considerable speculation as to what happened. Some have suggested that the royal couple had a falling out and Nefertiti was banished in disgrace to her palace, Aten's Castle. Others are quite convinced that Nefertiti changed her name to Smenkhkare, adopted the guise of a man and ruled as co-regent with her husband. The majority view is that Nefertiti died of natural causes (possibly the plague) as a great and honored queen.

Victory ... Peace …Development

Victory ... Peace …Development
On the sixth of October 1973, our Egyptian Armed Forces engaged in a battle for honour; liberating the Egyptian land. By virtue of the leadership wisdom, accurate planning and the soldiers' courage, a military miracle took place. Our Egyptian Air Force flew over the enemy's fortifications launching, successfully, the first air strike that opened the gate of triumph, confused the enemy ranks and severed the alleged long arm of Israel.

That was when our troops crossed the Suez Canal and destroyed the Barlev line by which Israel had terrified the whole world, in turn they themselves believed the lie of the myth.

And that was when the Egyptian soldier managed to face the enemy's heavy artillery; it was courage that put an end to the war and made a coup in the military and strategic concepts.

Breaking the myth of the invincible Israel, was the incident that paved the way before the political and psychological balance and opened the gate for peace; the matter for which a battle of another kind was a prerequisite. Egypt had another battle seeking for a comprehensive peace and Arab-Israeli coexistence; the result was the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty.

The October victory unleashed energies for construction and modernization. A third battle was waged; establishing a modern country. The Egyptian revival, under the sponsorship of President Mubarak, swept. The whole world has testified to our economic reform program that works successfully. They hailed our management in achieving the infrastructure, production and high-level standards and growth rates, besides the economic boom.

Egypt looks to the past only to remember its martyrs and the great sacrifices of its men. As to the future, Egypt is planning on solid bases and sound foundations, equipped with the faith and determination of people to continue the victorious march started in October 1973.

Of all Arab countries, Egypt bore the brunt of three decades of military hostilities with Israel. Seeking peace, Egypt was sincere out of unshakable conviction that peace should prevail if the long-volatile Middle East area is to start catching up with the economic locomotive vigorously chugging ahead everywhere else.

This may explain why Cairo has been in the fore of the world countries striving to make peace a reality in this region. And in doing so, Egypt takes no sides, rather siding with a durable and lasting peace, which could brighten up the prospects in the region and consign animosity to history.

Without establishing this peace, any talk about economic boom and cooperation in the Middle East would be day-dreaming, if not political self-deception.