Aya (queen)
Aya was an ancient Egyptian king's wife of the early Thirteenth Dynasty (between 1803 and 1649 BCE).[1]
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Aya in hieroglyphs | |||||
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Era: Middle Kingdom (2055–1650 BC) | |||||
![](http://178.128.105.246/content-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Tomb_wall_fragment%2C_Egypt%2C_13th_dynasty%2C_1794-1645_BC%2C_limestone%2C_H_35_-_Martin_von_Wagner_Museum_-_W%C3%BCrzburg%2C_Germany_-_DSC05322.jpg/220px-Tomb_wall_fragment%2C_Egypt%2C_13th_dynasty%2C_1794-1645_BC%2C_limestone%2C_H_35_-_Martin_von_Wagner_Museum_-_W%C3%BCrzburg%2C_Germany_-_DSC05322.jpg)
Attestations
[edit]She is known from two sources. She can be associated with vizier Ankhu.
Würzburg Martin von Wagner Museum H 35
[edit]At Abydos, Aya appears on a stela now in Würzburg.[2][3] From this source it is clear that she was part of an influential family of high court officials and was related to the Vizier .[1][4] Importantly, is a certain Royal Scribe and Overseer of a Half-Domain, Wepwawethotep {ḫtmw-bjtj; jmj-rꜣ gs-pr wp-wꜣwt-ḥtp}, who married Senebhenas, daughter of Vizier Ankhu.
Papyrus Boulaq 18
[edit]She appears in the Papyrus Boulaq 18.[3] This is an administrative account belonging to the Theban palace of a Thirteenth Dynasty king. It was found in the tomb of the scribe of the great enclosure Neferhotep. The name of the king in this papyrus is only partly preserved.[1]
High officials mentioned in this text includes Vizier Ankhu and High Steward Aabeni.
Speculations
[edit]Many scholars read the remains of the king's name in the Papyrus Boulaq 18 as Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep.[1] However, the reading is disputed and other suggestions include King Sehetepkare Intef and King Imyremeshaw.[3] Therefore, there is some doubt over the identification of Aya's husband.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e K.S.B. Ryholt, The Political Situation in Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period (Carsten Niebuhr Institute Publications, vol. 20. Copenhagen: Museum Tusculanum Press, 1997), p. 243-245
- ^ [1] PERSONS AND NAMES OF THE MIDDLE KINGDOM
- ^ a b c Dodson, Aidan and Hilton, Dyan. The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson. 2004.
- ^ Wolfram Grajetzki, Ancient Egyptian Queens: A Hieroglyphic Dictionary. London, Golden House Publications, 2005, p.36 ISBN 0-9547218-9-6