Meketaten

Meketaten (, meaning "Behold the Aten" or "Protected by Aten") was the second daughter of six born to the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten and his Great Royal Wife Nefertiti. She likely lived between Year 4 and Year 14 of Akhenaten's reign. Although little is known about her, she is frequently depicted with her sisters accompanying her royal parents in the first two-thirds of the Amarna Period. Biography Meketaten was born approximately in Year 4 of Akhenaten's reign to him and his Great Royal Wife, Nefertiti. She had an elder sister, Meritaten, and four younger sisters: Ankhesenpaaten, Neferneferuaten Tasherit, Neferneferure and Setepenre. Tutankhaten was likely their full brother or half-brother through their father. Her birth year is estimated based on the dates of inscriptions that reference her. The first known depiction of Meketaten is on the walls of the Hwt-benben temple in Thebes, which is dedicated to her mother, Nefertiti. Meketaten additionally appears behind Meritaten in later inscriptions, thought to date to Year 4 or later. Further, her figure was added to a Boundary Stela at Akhetaten that states events from Year 4 and was carved in Year 5. Meketaten and the royal family moved to Akhetaten, or Amarna, while she was still a small child. The tombs of the Amarnan nobility depict the royal family, including Meketaten, in various scenes of royal life. In Ay's tomb, Meketaten is depicted holding a tray of gifts while wrapping an arm around Nefertiti’s neck. In her father's regnal year 12, Meketaten and her family attended the reception of foreign tributes. This can be seen on several scenes depicted within the private tombs of the official Huya, and High Priest Meryre II.