Meretseger (queen)

For the namesake goddess, see Meretseger.

Meretseger ("She who Loves Silence") was an ancient Egyptian queen consort.

Meretseger with her husband Senusret III on a New Kingdom stela. British Museum, EA846

Biography

Meretseger in hieroglyphs
Era: Middle Kingdom (2055–1650 BC)

Meretseger appears in sources of the New Kingdom of Egypt as the wife of Senusret III. According to that she would be the first Egyptian queen consort to bear the title Great Royal Wife, which became the standard title for chief wives of pharaohs. She was also the first queen consort whose name was written in a cartouche.^[1] However, as there are no contemporary sources relating to Meretseger, she is most likely a creation of the New Kingdom.^[2]

Along with Khenemetneferhedjet II and Neferthenut, she is one of three known wives of Senusret III (a fourth, possible wife is Sithathoriunet). She was depicted on a New Kingdom stele now in the British Museum (EA846) and on an inscription in Semna dating to the reign of Thutmose III.^[3]

References

1. Dodson, Aidan; Hilton, Dyan (2004). The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt. London: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-05128-3. pp.26-27
2. C. van Siclen: Egyptian Antiquities in South Texas. Part 2. A kohl Jar of Queen Meresger, in: Varia Aegyptiaca 8 (1992), 29-32
3. Dodson & Hilton, p.97.