Maatkare Mutemhat: The High Priestess of Amun

Maatkare Mutemhat was the daughter of Pinedjem I, the de facto ruler of Upper Egypt as the High Priest of Amun at Thebes, and his wife, Duathathor-Henuttawy, who carried the blood of kings, being the daughter of Ramesses XI—the final sovereign of Egypt’s 20th Dynasty.

It is thought that Maatkare Mutemhat ascended to a sacred station never before graced by a woman of her kind. Bestowed with the exalted title of Divine Adoratrice, she became the God’s Wife of Amun under her father’s reign, a position that bound her spirit to the great god himself. She was the first of her lineage to bear a praenomen—a name of majesty once reserved only for pharaohs—forever entwining her legacy with the divine.

God’s Wife of Amun: Queen in All But Name

As God’s Wife of Amun, Maatkare Mutemhat held one of the most exalted positions in the sacred city of Thebes. The title, passed down among royal daughters, was more than a ceremonial honour—it was a position of immense spiritual and political power. She stood as the earthly consort of Amun, the hidden god, a bridge between the heavens and the mortal world. In her hands, she held the authority of a queen, wielding influence that rivalled even the pharaoh’s.

Within the towering precincts of Karnak, she presided over Amun’s grand rituals, her presence integral to the divine order. She commanded her own temple, her own priesthood, and her own wealth, her status nearly equal to that of a sovereign. Yet, despite this power, her role required a vow of chastity, for she was wedded not to a mortal king, but to a god.

Her Sacred Companion

Among the many enigmatic burials of Ancient Egypt, few are as captivating as that of Maatkare Mutemhat, a Theban High Priestess whose tomb yielded a mystery that baffled scholars for years. At her feet, nestled in a small, carefully wrapped bundle, lay what was first believed to be an infant—a startling find given that Maatkare, as God’s Wife of Amun, had taken a sacred vow of chastity. If this were truly a child, it would suggest she had broken her solemn oath, a revelation that could have reshaped historical understanding of her role.

For decades, this perplexing possibility lingered, until in 1968, X-ray analysis unveiled the truth: the tiny mummy was not human at all, but an African green monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops). This revelation transformed the find from scandal to sentiment, painting a poignant picture of the priestess’s bond with her cherished companion. The presence of the mummified monkey suggests not only personal affection but also a spiritual connection, as animals were often believed to hold sacred significance in Egyptian religious practice.

Maatkare was not alone in her devotion to an animal companion. Her half-sister, Esemkhet, was interred alongside her pet gazelle, its delicate frame lovingly mummified and placed beside her in the tomb. Such burials reflect the profound reverence the Ancient Egyptians held for animals—not merely as earthly companions, but as beings worthy of preservation for eternity.

This tradition extended beyond the elite priestesses. The burial of Hapymen, another Egyptian of rank, tells a similar tale of loyalty beyond death. His faithful dog was carefully embalmed, swathed in linen, and placed near his coffin, ensuring that master and companion would walk side by side into the afterlife.

These burials serve as a testament to the enduring love between humans and their animals in Ancient Egypt—a civilization where affection transcended mortal existence, and bonds of companionship were honoured even beyond the veil of death. Whether as sacred symbols, devoted friends, or cherished confidants, these creatures were not merely pets, but part of the very fabric of their owners’ souls, carried with them into eternity.

Pinedjem I

Pinedjem I ruled as the de facto ruler of Southern Egypt from around 1070 B.C., when the authority of Pharaoh Ramesses XI weakened. He later declared himself pharaoh in 1054 B.C., officially taking on the royal titles and ruling Upper Egypt from Thebes. His reign as pharaoh lasted until around 1032 B.C.

During this period, Egypt was effectively divided, with Upper Egypt (Southern Egypt) being ruled by Pinedjem I from Thebes and Lower Egypt (Northern Egypt) was controlled by the 21st Dynasty pharaohs from Tanis. This division marked the beginning of the Third Intermediate Period.

By the late New Kingdom, Egypt was struggling with internal strife, economic decline, and increasing threats from foreign invaders. The power of the pharaohs weakened, and local rulers, especially the High Priests of Amun in Thebes (modern-day Luxor), gained more autonomy.

The god Amun had become the most powerful deity in Egypt, and his priesthood in Thebes controlled vast wealth and influence. Pinedjem I, as High Priest of Amun, effectively ruled Thebes and Upper Egypt (the southern part of the country) because the priesthood had control over land, resources, and the military in the region.

While Ramesses XI (the last pharaoh of the 20th Dynasty) still ruled from the north in the city of Pi-Ramesses, his authority over the south was weak. Pinedjem I initially acted as his representative but, over time, his rule became independent.

Pinedjem I secured his power by commanding the local military, forming alliances through marriage (such as his marriage to Duathathor-Henuttawy, a royal princess), and positioning his sons in key religious and political roles. His control over the powerful priesthood of Amun gave him more influence than the pharaoh in some respects.

Around 1054 B.C., Pinedjem I took the bold step of declaring himself pharaoh, adopting royal regalia and titles. This solidified the political split: he ruled over Upper Egypt from Thebes, while the rulers of the 21st Dynasty controlled Lower Egypt from Tanis in the north.

So, Pinedjem I wasn’t just a high priest—he was a ruler in all but name long before he officially became pharaoh. His reign marked the beginning of a period where the priesthood of Amun held immense political power, shaping the course of Egypt’s divided history.