Aya (queen)
Aya was an ancient Egyptian king's wife of the early Thirteenth Dynasty (between 1803 and 1649 BCE).[1]
in hieroglyphs
(2055–1650 BC)
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
