Ankhnesneferibre

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Ankhnesneferibre held the office of Divine Adoratrice of Amun from around 595 to 525 BC. During the same time, she also held the office of God's Wife of Amun, which was the highest office in the priesthood of the temple of Amun in Thebes. The holder of that office, instituted circa 2160 BC when Thebes rose to being the capital city, had the most powerful influence upon the pharaoh, advising, interpreting the oracles of the deities, and determining the actions of the state together with, or for, the pharaoh. The title was intended to be passed along the line of the royal women, who carried the royal lineage, the kingship being passed down through the female line in what is referred to as matrilineality. Usually it was the royal daughter of the pharaoh who was chosen to rule, but sometimes the office holder was the royal mother or the royal wife. The title, Divine Adoratrice of Amun, conveyed even more political authority than the earlier office.

Ankhnesneferibre was the daughter of Psammetichus II, and was adopted by her predecessor in the office, Nitocris I. She governed Thebes until the Persian conquest in 525 BCE.

Her tomb can be found in the complex of Medinet Habu.

Preceded by: Nitocris I

Divine Adoratrice

Succeeded by: –