| Tiye | |
| |
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | Tiye |
| Age | approximately 40-60 |
| Sex | Female |
| Status | Royal wife of the pharaoh Amenhotep III. |
| Height | 145 cm |
| Source | |
| Culture | Ancient Egyptian |
| Date(s) | Death: c. 1338 BC |
| Site | Valley of the Kings (Site KV35) |
| Current Location | |
| Location | National Museum of Egyptian Civilization |
| Catalog # | |
Tiye was the daughter of Yuya and Thuya. Her father, was a wealthy landowner of a non royal status and her mother was a noblewomen who held high office in religion and politics. Tiye's father was also the Commander of the Chariots; considered to be one of the most elite forces in the Egyptian army.
Tiye was born sometime about 1398 BC. Both of her parents were noble and not of royal heritage, proved by the fact her parents scarabs only have their names and not any royal titles.
When she was about twelve years old, she married Prince Amenhotep. When Amenhotep III ascended the throne as pharaoh, Tiye became queen. Together they eventually had at least six children; two son's and four daughters. She was the first queen to have her name on official acts.
Tiye is represented on her husband's monuments and inscriptions. The king also built many shrines to honor her. She was her husband's advisor and confidant and played an active part in foreign politics. She was given the title of the Great Royal Wife. After thirty-eight years of reign, the king died and left Tiye a widow, but her influence in court still remained.
Akhenaten became king when his father died and Tiye was a prominent member of his court. Her influence with her son was shown in the Amarna letters exchanged between her and King Tushratta of Mitanni who would send letters to her asking Tiye to influence her son's decisions. The letters also verify her role in foreign politics.
Tiye's death is assumed c. 1338 B.C. the twelfth year of her son's reign.
Mummification[]
It is believed that after her death she was initially buried in the Tomb of Akhetaten and not next to her husband in the Valley of the Kings. There was a piece from her sarcophagus that was found there, and with the inscriptions found in the tomb, placed her buried next to her son and granddaughter. Some of her possessions, such as her Shabti or servant figures, were found at Amenhotep's III tomb. There are burial possessions placing her at either and or both of the tombs of Akhetaten and Amenhotep III.
References[]
Scanning the Pharaohs: CT Imaging of the New Kingdom Royal Mummies
Queen Time and her Family: UFT GAE Calendar