This web site is dedicated to providing information and online resources about the Nubian Queen of ancient Egypt's Twenty-fifth Dynasty known as Amenirdis I, Amenardis I, Amunirdis I, Amenardus I or Amunardis I.

This great, powerful black Kushite princess held a major political and religious role as "God's Wife of Amon" (among others) and was a very real governing force in Thebes, Upper Egypt (modern-day Luxor) and ruled from the centre of political and religious power at Karnak, Thebes whilst her brother - Pharaoh Shabaka - ruled Lower Egypt from the North.

"Amenirdis the Elder" held many titles - another of them being "Divine Adoratrice" and she had made in her memory a relatively small, but incredibly impressive, Mortuary Temple in the grounds of Medinet Habu, the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III, on the West Bank of ancient Thebes. Her Mortuary Temple was finished after her death. Some believe that Amunirdis was buried in this mortuary temple but no proof of this exists to-date. Two additional "Chapels to The Divine Adoratrices" stand by the side of Amenirdis' Chapel - those of Shepenwepet II (Daughter of Pharaoh Piye: Piankhi) and Nitocris I.

This famous alabaster statue of Queen Amenirdis I inspired Verdi to compose Aida. It has carved upon the back - and upon the base - a series of interesting hieroglyphs which some believe may have been the basis of the Lord's Prayer.

Amenirdis I was 'Royal Sister', 'Royal Daughter' and 'Royal Wife', Daughter of King Kashta and Queen Pebatma (Pebathma) and married to her brother Shabaka. Peksater was also a member of the royal family - Amenirdis I's sister.

Amenirdis was the daughter of Kashta and sister of Piye (Piankhi) and Shabaka (Shabaqo), most famously known because of the 'Shabaka Stone'. Amenirdis I was the niece of Taharqa. Piye proclaimed himself king of Egypt and "of all lands" by joint authority of Amun of Thebes and Amun of Napata.
Kashta may have had a sister called Kasaqa, the aunt of Amenirdis I.

Amenirdis ruled during the Third Intermediate Period, XXV Dynasty - 736-690 BCE though some sources state her regnal dates as being 740-720 BCE. There is still doubt regarding the dates that Amenirdis I lived and ruled yet the majority of sources seem to agree upon 736-690 BCE or thereabouts.

Amunirdis served as "God's Wife of Amon", "God's Hand of Amun", "Divine Adoratrice", "Lady of the Two Lands", "Mistress of the Lands" (Upper and Lower Egypt) and "High Priestess of Amon" for between forty-two and forty-six years and ruled from Karnak at Thebes. Her position was that of a ruling Queen, oracle and living Goddess, much like Pharaoh was seen as a living God.

God's Wife of Amun (Hmt nTr [n Jmn])

Divine Adoratrice of Amun (DwAt-nTr)

God's Hand of Amun (Drt nTr)

The name of Amenirdis occurs on relics found in Montu Temple at Karnak, graffitos at Wadi Hammamat and Wadi Gasus. In addition, a temple to Osiris was built by Amenirdis I in the Karnak Temple complex.

She governed Karnak as the major city that it was, and its outlying areas, with great power and control. Karnak complex thrived under her guidance and the area was prosperous and productive after the previously unstable period in Egypt. Details still remain of the annual 'output' of the vast domain of Amon at Karnak on a day-to-day basis.

It is alleged that upon her death, Queen Amenirdis I was buried within the grounds of her Mortuary Temple. If this is the case, some Egyptologists may disagree as fairly recently (2000 to 2004) vague reports and claims were made that the mummy remains had been located and had not been retrieved from Amenirdis' Mortuary Temple in Medinet Habu.

Amenardis - "Beloved of Amon"

Hat-nfrw-mwt (HatNefruMut or MutKhaNeferu) is the Prenomen of Amenirdis I.

Imn-iir-di-si (Amenardis) being the Queen's Nomen.

Daughter of King Kashta and Queen Pebatma, Amenirdis I is said to have had the Nubian royal name 'AkaluKa Princess of Nubia' (or Aqaluqa or Akuluka) - not to be confused with Legendary Queen Eyleuka of Ethiopia - prior to her rule in ancient Egypt.

This web site will eventually contain details of Amenirdis' family; some of her 'staff' in the Precinct of Amun e.g. Peshuper - "Scribe of The Divine Adoratrice Amenirdis", Harwa - "Steward of the Divine Votaress" (TT37) and Akhamenerau "Chief Steward of the Divine Adoratrix Amenirdis I and Shepenupet II", TT404.

Most noteable is Harwa - a man of great importance during the twenty-fifth dynasty - see Harwa.it

Accurate information is needed to complete this web site and I would be very grateful for any information, sources or corrections please. Thank you.

If you have any information or sources, please do e-mail information to be included as this web site is built? Thank you. Research@Amunirdis.net

See the Queen Amenirdis Research, Q&A & Information Blog here:
http://Queen.Amenardis.net/