Nefretiri | |
---|---|
Race | Egyptian |
Homeland | Egypt |
Spouse | Rameses II, Pharaoh of Egypt |
Children | Rameses II's son |
“ | Yes. You may be the lovely dust through which God will work His purpose. | ” |
—Moses to Nefretiri |
Nefretiri was the Egyptian throne princess during the reign of Pharaoh Sethi,[1] and later Queen of Egypt as the wife of Pharaoh Rameses II, Sethi's son and heir.[2]
Biography[]
Life in the court of Sethi[]
“ | Is it the princess' beauty that attracts you, Rameses, or the fact that she must marry the man I choose to follow me on the throne? | ” |
—Sethi to Rameses II |
Nefretiri held the title of "throne princess" when Sethi was Pharaoh. Nefretiri enjoyed considerable wealth and luxury. She had her own boudoirs with balconies in the royal palace in Thebes. She was also the owner of a large barge on the Nile River. She was often referred to as "Royal One"[3] or "Great Lady."[4]
Romance with Prince Moses[]
Nefretiri lived a short love life with Prince Moses, since he arrived upon conquering Ethiopia. Moses, being the prime choice for successor by Sethi I, was envied by Rameses, who at the time wished to inherit the Royal Crown of United Egypt.
The romance abruptly broke when slave-servant Memnet revealed Moses' true race to Nefretiri. In between their conversation, Memnet pulls out of her bosom the piece of Hebrew Levite-patterned cloth that Moses was wrapped in. Nefretiri, in an act to show no mercy, snakes Memnet into the balcony area of her bedroom and drops the cloth on the bedroom steps. Moses later learns about this and heads to Yochabel's hut to investigate the matter further. The truth is revealed: Moses is Amram and Yochabel's youngest son. This concludes Moses' and Nefretiri's short-lived romance.
Bethrothal to Rameses II[]
When Sethi learned that Moses killed an Egyptian in order to save a Hebrew, he deposed Moses of his right to the throne and betrothed Nefretiri to Rameses. Nefretiri was very upset, and did not love Rameses.
Reign as Queen of Egypt[]
As Queen of Egypt, Nefretiri was heartless and shown to be a loving mother to her son who dies at the last plague. When she orders Ramses II to go and kill Moses she comments that he is a coward.
Behind the scenes[]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ The Ten Commandments: "Throne Princess" (Chapter 8)
- ↑ The Ten Commandments: "Pharaoh's Justice" (Chapter 19)
- ↑ The Ten Commandments: "Hebrew Cloth" (Chapter 14)
- ↑ The Ten Commandments: "Brick Pits" (Chapter 16)