Quck answer

The Crocodile Queen of Egypt was a female ruler named Sobekneferu. She reigned during the Middle Kingdom period, around 1806-1802 BC. Sobekneferu was the last ruler of the 12th Dynasty and the first known female pharaoh in history. She was known for her connection to the crocodile god, Sobek, and was sometimes referred to as the “Crocodile Queen.” Sobekneferu’s reign was relatively short, but she left a significant impact on Egyptian history as a powerful female leader in a predominantly male-dominated society. Despite her achievements, much of her reign and legacy remains a mystery due to the limited historical records available.

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Are you interested in visiting King Tut’s tomb? How about Cleopatra’s palace? If you have a fascination with ancient Egypt, then today’s Wonder of the Day is perfect for you. We will be exploring the life of Sobekneferu!

Who exactly was Sobekneferu? She was the first woman to ever become a pharaoh in Egypt. You may have also come across her name spelled as Sebeknefru. Some refer to her as Neferusobek. Many people recognize her as the Crocodile Queen of Egypt.

Why was she given the title of the Crocodile Queen? The first part of her name (Sobek) is the same as the Egyptian crocodile god. The second part of her name (Nefuru) means “beauty.” When combined, her name translates to beautiful crocodile. Like other pharaohs and queens, Egyptian rulers chose their names to reign under. Sobekneferu most likely selected her name due to the significance of crocodiles in Egyptian culture.

Sobek was a highly respected deity. Egyptians believed that he had control over water. Egypt flourished, in large part, because of the Nile River, so it was crucial to please the crocodile god. The actual crocodiles living in the Nile were also held in high regard. Some Egyptians even kept them as pets.

Sobekneferu governed Egypt for approximately four years. It is believed that both her father and brother were pharaohs before her. She was the final ruler of the 12th Dynasty.

Beyond these facts, not much is known about the Crocodile Queen. In fact, scholars were unaware of her existence until the 19th century. Her name was initially discovered in the Turin Canon, a document that listed the names of 223 pharaohs. Due to damage, only 126 names can be read today.

Experts speculate that Sobekneferu may have supervised the construction of a pyramid in Mazghuna. There are also indications that she was considered divine by the rulers of the 13th Dynasty. However, modern-day scholars are uncertain about her final resting place.

At the Louvre, visitors can view the remains of one statue depicting the Crocodile Queen. Only her torso remains. Nonetheless, this statue provides valuable insights into Sobekneferu.

For instance, the statue portrays the Crocodile Queen as feminine. This is distinct from most other female pharaohs (with the exception of Cleopatra VII). The statues and drawings of other female pharaohs emphasized masculine characteristics. This was likely done to associate them with the male rulers of Egypt. However, this statue suggests that the first female pharaoh embraced her femininity.

Today, many aspects of the Crocodile Queen’s life remain a mystery. Of course, this is true for many ancient pharaohs. Which questions would you most like answered? If this Wonder of the Day has piqued your curiosity, take the opportunity to learn more about ancient Egypt!

Try It Out

Are you ready to delve deeper? Enlist the help of a friend or family member to assist you with the activities below!

Explore Ancient Egypt

• Discover the fascinating life of another powerful female pharaoh, Hatshepsut. How did her life compare to that of the Crocodile Queen? Summarize your findings for a friend or family member.
• When people think of Egypt, the pyramids often come to mind. But what secrets lie within these magnificent structures? Watch this video about the Great Pyramids to find out. Would you like to visit these pyramids one day? Discuss your thoughts with a friend or family member.
• Are there any other aspects of ancient Egypt that pique your curiosity? Create a list of questions and conduct your own research online or at the library. Take notes on the most intriguing information you come across. Once you’ve finished your research, create a poster or presentation to share what you’ve learned.

Wonder Sources

• For more information about Sebeknefru, visit https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sebeknefru (accessed 24 Feb. 2021).
• Learn about the first female pharaoh at https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-africa/first-female-pharaoh-0014520 (accessed 24 Feb. 2021).
• Explore more about Sobekneferu at https://mathstat.slu.edu/~bart/egyptianhtml/kings%20and%20Queens/Sobekneferu.html (accessed 24 Feb. 2021).
• Refer to https://pharaoh.se/turin-kinglist for additional resources (accessed 24 Feb. 2021).
• Learn about crocodiles in ancient Egypt at https://egypt.mrdonn.org/crocodiles.html (accessed 26 Feb. 2021).
• For a comprehensive online dictionary, visit https://learnersdictionary.com/ (accessed 24 Feb. 2021).

FAQ

1. Who was the Crocodile Queen of Egypt?

The Crocodile Queen of Egypt was Queen Hatshepsut, who reigned as pharaoh during the 18th dynasty of ancient Egypt. She is known for her unique and powerful reign, as well as her fascination with crocodiles.

2. What was Queen Hatshepsut’s connection with crocodiles?

Queen Hatshepsut was fascinated by crocodiles and considered them sacred. She even had a personal zoo at her palace in Thebes, where she kept a large number of crocodiles. She believed that the crocodile was a symbol of power and fertility, and often associated herself with the crocodile goddess, Sobek.

3. How did Queen Hatshepsut honor crocodiles?

Queen Hatshepsut built a temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, at the ancient site of Kom Ombo. This temple was adorned with carvings and statues of crocodiles, and it served as a place of worship for the crocodile cult. She also held annual ceremonies to honor Sobek and the crocodiles, where live crocodiles were paraded and feasted upon.

4. What was the significance of the Crocodile Queen’s fascination with crocodiles?

Queen Hatshepsut’s fascination with crocodiles and her association with the crocodile goddess, Sobek, demonstrated her desire to align herself with power and fertility. By honoring and worshiping the crocodile, she sought to strengthen her rule and ensure the prosperity of Egypt. Additionally, her unique interest in crocodiles set her apart from other pharaohs and added to her legacy as the Crocodile Queen of Egypt.