Queen Tiye
Kemet, Ancient Egypt
c. 1398 BC - 1338 BC
Image is an upscaling and improvement of original AI created image by Dutch Photographer, Bas Uterwijk. @ganbrood on Instagram.
Early Life
Queen Tiye (also spelled Tiy, Tye, Taia, and Tiyi) was born around 1400 BCE and lived until approximately 1340 BCE, during Egypt's 18th Dynasty, a period often regarded as the height of ancient Egyptian power and prosperity. Her life story, like many from the New Kingdom era, is pieced together from inscriptions, artifacts, and diplomatic correspondence, though much remains enigmatic due to the passage of time.
Tiye was the daughter of Yuya, a high-ranking official who served as commander of the Egyptian chariotry and overseer of the cattle of the god Min, and Thuya (or Tjuyu), a prominent court lady who held cultic ranks in the temples of Min and Amun at Karnak. Yuya's career suggests he may have been descended from Western Asiatics, possibly the Hyksos, while Thuya was possibly of Nubian extraction. Despite scholarly debate about Yuya's exact titles and their family's ethnic background, his family was undoubtedly influential and wealthy, evidenced by their richly furnished tomb in the Valley of the Kings (KV46).
Despite not being of royal blood, Tiye's marriage to Pharaoh Amenhotep III represented a notable elevation in status. She grew up likely in Akhmim, a provincial town in Middle Egypt, where her parents held significant roles in the administration and clergy. She had at least one confirmed brother, Anen, who became Second Prophet of Amun at Karnak. The family's influence at court may have been facilitated through connections to Queen Mutemwia, possibly explaining their rise to prominence.
Tiye married Amenhotep III early in his reign, when she was likely around 11 or 12 years old. Their union produced several children, including the crown prince Thutmose (who died young), Amenhotep IV (later known as Akhenaten), and daughters Satamun, Henuttaneb, Isis, and Nebetah.
The Wise Advisor, Confidant, and Ruler
Queen Tiye's role extended far beyond that of a traditional consort; she was a pivotal figure in the governance of Egypt during Amenhotep III's 39-year reign (c. 1390–1353 BCE), an era of unprecedented peace, wealth, and cultural flourishing. As the "Great Royal Wife," Tiye held numerous titles, including Hereditary Princess, Lady of the Two Lands, and Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt, reflecting her elevated status. She was actively involved in state affairs, with her name appearing on official documents and commemorative scarabs alongside the pharaoh's—a privilege typically reserved for rulers.
Tiye's diplomatic prowess is well-documented in the Amarna Letters, a cache of clay tablets containing correspondence between Egyptian rulers and foreign powers. Foreign rulers addressed Tiye directly, seeking her counsel on matters of trade and alliances, indicating her respected authority. King Tushratta of Mitanni wrote to her about ongoing relations and stated that she "knows all the words" that Amenhotep III had spoken with him, emphasizing her intimate knowledge of state affairs.
Artistically, Tiye brought notable changes to Egyptian iconography. In statues and reliefs, she was often depicted at the same scale as Amenhotep III, symbolizing her importance—a departure from tradition where queens were typically shown smaller. She was portrayed wearing special ceremonial necklaces previously associated only with kings, and depicted as a sphinx trampling enemies, imagery traditionally reserved for pharaohs.
The couple resided at the opulent Malkata Palace in Thebes, built in the warmer south with brightly painted walls depicting scenes from nature. Here, Amenhotep III celebrated three sed festivals (royal jubilees) intended to magically reinvigorate him, with Tiye playing a prominent role alongside the great goddess Hathor. Amenhotep III demonstrated his deep affection by constructing commemorative projects in her honor and dedicating a temple at Sedeinga in Nubia, where Tiye was deified as a goddess closely identified with Hathor.
Following Amenhotep III's death, Tiye retained significant influence as "King's Mother" under her son Akhenaten (r. 1353–1336 BCE). Despite Akhenaten's radical shift to monotheism, elevating the sun disk Aten and abandoning traditional gods, Tiye supported him, appearing in Aten-worship scenes. She visited Akhenaten's new capital at Akhetaten (modern Amarna) and continued diplomatic engagements, as foreign kings preferred dealing with her over the unconventional pharaoh. Her steadfast support highlights her adaptability and loyalty amid religious upheaval.
Her Death
Queen Tiye likely died around 1340 BCE, during the 12th year of Akhenaten's reign, at an estimated age of 50 to 60. The cause is uncertain, but some scholars speculate it may have been related to a plague that swept through Egypt and the Near East during this period, as referenced in the Amarna Letters. Initially buried in a royal tomb at Akhetaten, her remains were later moved—possibly by Tutankhamun—to protect them from tomb robbers or religious backlash against the Aten cult.
Her mummy, known as the "Elder Lady," was discovered in 1898 in the tomb of Amenhotep II (KV35) in the Valley of the Kings, alongside other royal mummies hidden there for safekeeping. The body showed signs of damage from ancient thieves, including a missing right arm, but was otherwise well-preserved with long, dark wavy hair and intact teeth. The mummy's identification was confirmed through scientific analysis of hair samples that matched a lock of hair found in Tutankhamun's tomb, labeled with Tiye's name, indicating a blood relationship between Tiye and Tutankhamun.
Historical Significance and Cultural Legacy
Queen Tiye is remembered as one of the most influential women in ancient history, setting a precedent for other powerful queens like Nefertiti (her daughter-in-law) and following in the tradition established by earlier queens like Hatshepsut. She embodied ideals of beauty and authority in her era, often portrayed with attractive but haughty features in art that influenced later depictions of royal women. Her Nubian temple and diplomatic activities highlight her role in Egypt's international relations, making her a significant figure in both Egyptian and broader ancient Near Eastern history.
Tiye's death marked a turning point as the 18th Dynasty moved toward the political and religious upheavals of the late Amarna period. Akhenaten's reforms led to instability that was eventually addressed under Tutankhamun's restoration of traditional religious practices. Yet her legacy endures: as an influential ruler, devoted mother, and cultural figure, she remains a testament to the important roles women could play in ancient Egypt. Modern archaeological discoveries and scientific analysis continue to illuminate her life and contributions to one of history's greatest civilizations.
References
Britannica (2020) Tiy | Queen of Egypt. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tiy (Accessed: 16 August 2020).
World History Encyclopedia (2020) Tiye. Available at: https://www.worldhistory.org/Tiye/ (Accessed: 22 August 2020).
Encyclopedia.com (2020) Tiy (c. 1400–1340 BCE). Available at: https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/tiy-c-1400-1340-bce(Accessed: 16 August 2020).
Hawass, Z., Gad, Y., Ismail, S. et al. (2010) 'Ancestry and pathology in King Tutankhamun's family', JAMA, 303(7), pp. 638–647. doi:10.1001/jama.2010.121.
Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels-University of Sadat City (2021) 'The diplomatic role of the royal women in ancient Egypt', Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, 5(1/1), June.
Silva, F. (2015) Study on Ancient Egyptian remains. Brown University. Available at: https://archaeology.brown.edu/sites/default/files/papers/Silva2015.pdf (Accessed: 22 August 2020).
National Geographic (2020) The Pharaohs' Amarna letters expose politics 3300 years ago. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/history-magazine/article/pharaohs-amarna-letters-expose-politics-3300-years-ago (Accessed: 23 August 2020).
TheTorah.com (2020) Akhetaten: Egypt's ancient capital – records of ancient diplomacy. Available at: https://www.thetorah.com/article/akhetaten-egypts-ancient-capital-records-of-ancient-diplomacy (Accessed: 24 August 2020).
JAMA Network (2010) Tutankhamun family DNA study. Available at: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/185393 (Accessed: 24 August 2020).
Egypt Museum (2020) Mummy of Queen Tiye. Available at: https://egypt-museum.com/mummy-of-queen-tiye/(Accessed: 25 August 2020).
Vocal Media (2020) Reconstruction of Queen Tiye's face: a glimpse into ancient Egypt. Available at: https://vocal.media/history/reconstruction-of-queen-tiye-s-face-a-glimpse-into-ancient-egypt (Accessed: 26 August 2020).
Metropolitan Museum of Art (2020) The Amarna letters. Available at: https://www.metmuseum.org/essays/the-amarna-letters (Accessed: 31 August 2020).
