Statue of Anen

Anen, also known as Aanen, was an ancient Egyptian nobleman and official during the Eighteenth Dynasty, specifically under the reign of his brother-in-law, Pharaoh Amenhotep III. He held significant roles such as the Chancellor of Lower Egypt, Second of the Four Prophets of Amun, sem-priest of Heliopolis, and was also known as the Greatest of Seers and High Priest in the temple of Re-Atum.

Anen was the son of Yuya and Thuya, making him the brother of Queen Tiye, who was married to Amenhotep III. This familial connection to the royal family would have significantly elevated his status. Despite this, inscriptions on his own monuments do not mention his relationship to the pharaoh, though it is confirmed by references on his mother Thuya’s coffin, where he is named as the “Second Prophet of Amun“.

A notable artefact associated with Anen is his statue, now housed in the Egyptian Museum in Turin, Italy (Museo Egizio, Inv.-No. 5484 / Cat. 1377). This statue is crafted from diorite and dates back to the 16th-13th Century B.C., reflecting his roles as both a priest and an astronomer. The statue is described as one of the significant pieces in the museum’s collection, showcasing the intricate details of Anen’s priestly attire.

Additionally, there is mention of a ushabti, possibly belonging to Anen, currently in the Museum Meermanno in The Hague, though this is not as definitive in connection to Anen as the Turin statue.

In summary, Anen was not only a religious figure but also a high-ranking official whose legacy is preserved through artefacts like the statue in Turin and the restoration of his tomb, providing valuable insights into the religious and administrative roles during one of Egypt’s most prosperous dynasties.

More evidence for Anen being the son mentioned upon Thuya’s coffin comes from several historical and archaeological sources, including Anen’s own tomb, TT120.
Located in the Theban Necropolis at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Anen’s tomb highlights scenes from Anen’s life and his connection to the royal family through wall paintings. These include depictions of Anen with his sister, Queen Tiye, and his brother-in-law, Pharaoh Amenhotep III, indicating his integration into the highest echelons of Egyptian society and religion, and confirming he is indeed the son of Yuya and Thuya.

The statue of Anen in the Egyptian Museum in Turin does not directly mention Tiye, but the context, given his known titles and familial connections, supports the brother-sister relationship. The statue and his other titles provide indirect but compelling evidence of his high status, which would be expected of someone related to the queen.

These pieces of evidence collectively affirm that Anen was Queen Tiye’s brother. The consistency across inscriptions, tombs, and historical analysis by Egyptologists confirms this familial relationship.