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Love in Time of Pharaohs: Ancient Egypt's Romantic Tales


Fri 14 Feb 2025 | 07:45 PM
Ali Abo Deshish - Ahmed Emam

The ancient Egyptians were among the first civilizations to express feelings of love in artistic and poetic forms. Many love stories were documented on papyrus scrolls and carved on the walls of tombs and temples, where the goddess Hathor symbolized love and tenderness.

The pharaohs were known for their eloquent words and expressions of affection. They used the word “Mer” to mean “love.” One of the greatest love stories of ancient Egypt is the legendary tale of "Isis and Osiris".

This myth tells of Isis's deep love for her husband Osiris. After his death, she gathered his scattered body parts and wept for him, and her tears were said to have formed the Nile River, symbolizing her undying love and loyalty.

Among the royal love stories is the romance between "Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti" , known for their close partnership and devotion. 

Another remarkable story is that of "Queen Nefertari" and her husband, "Ramses II". Ramses built a magnificent temple at Abu Simbel and dedicated it to her with the inscription: “His Majesty Ramses II ordered the construction of this beautiful temple for his wife Nefertari, for whom the sun rises,” a testament to his deep affection and admiration.

An extraordinary love story also appears in the tale of "Senenmut, the dwarf, and his wife" , who loved him despite their physical differences. 

Their statue in the Egyptian Museum shows them smiling warmly, reflecting happiness and love that transcended appearances. Egyptian statues often depicted affection between couples, such as those of "Amenhotep and Tiye", "Rahotep and Nofret", and "Menkaure and his queen", illustrating the closeness and emotional bonds between partners in ancient Egypt.

Moreover, ancient Egyptians expressed love through poetry. One romantic verse says, “My beloved is unique, the most beautiful of all. She is like the morning star rising at the start of a happy new year… Her eyes are enchanting, her lips speak sweetly… She captures my heart with her beauty.” In another poem, a lover confesses, “You are the most beautiful of women… I am drowned under the waves of love… Your love in my heart is like a reed in the wind, blown from garden to garden.”

In conclusion, these stories and poems reveal that love was not only an emotion but a spiritual and artistic value for the ancient Egyptians. Their deep feelings were immortalized on the walls of their temples and in their literature, leaving behind an everlasting legacy of romance and affection that continues to inspire us today.