Maathorneferure

Maathorneferure, also Maat -Hor - neferu -Re, was the third Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty. She was the daughter of the Hittite king Sauškanu Hattusili III ..

Family

Maathorneferure, the daughter of Hattusili III. and his wife Puduhepa, had concluded with the Ramses II in 1259 BC, a peace treaty, met on the 34th year of the reign of Ramses II, in the month Pamenoth ( December 1246 BC) with a large entourage in a Piramesse. Hattusili III. had proposed in the year of death of the Great Royal Wife Isetnofret marrying his daughter to deepen the alliance between the two countries yet. Before long negotiations on the bride price had been made:

"Does for my brother Ramses II anything? Only those who have nothing, ask for a high price. Will you enrich us? "

Although Hattusili had III. promised a large dowry, but the expectations of Ramses II seemed to have been even greater. Finally, the dowry had grown to a value that exceeded all of today's bride prices. Background will have been the unique position, should take the Sauškanu in Egypt. While in the past foreign princesses went only to the rank of concubine, it was agreed in the terms of contracts between Hatti and Egypt, that was the first foreign princess Sauškanu should receive the title of Great Royal Wife.

Ramses II is not mentioned on the so-called marriage stele contractual clauses, but turned the situation is different:

" Hattusili III. and Puduhepa gave her eldest daughter as honorable gift to the living God, that God give them peace and they can live in peace. "

On the stele is reported to Egypt and from the convoy of the princess, who was accompanied by soldiers, herds of animals, slaves and rich tribute gifts.

Ramses II was impressed by Sauškanus beauty and gave her according to the Egyptian name Maat -Hor - Neferu -Re. She became pregnant and even before the birth of her daughter Neferu -Re Ramses II asked in Hatti, whether in the case of a son is not an agreement could be made that this could then get the heir - law in Hatti. The answer of Hattusili III. is not known and a son was not born Ramses II Sauškanu.

Notes

The birth and death date, and burial are unknown. Maathorneferure is mentioned in inscriptions only until about six years after her marriage to Ramses II. She seems to have lived in a palace on the Fayyum. In Gurob ( Merwer ) there was a papyrus with their name.