- For other persons by this name see Nefertari (disambiguation).
Nefertari, also known as
Nefertari Meritmut was an Egyptian queen and the first of the
Great Royal Wives (or principal wives) of
Ramesses the Great. Nefertari means 'beautiful companion' and Meritmut means 'Beloved of [the goddess] Mut'. She is one of the best known Egyptian queens, next to
Cleopatra,
Nefertiti and
Hatshepsut. She was highly educated and able to both read and write hieroglyphs, a very rare skill at the time. She used these skills in her diplomatic work, corresponding with other prominent royalties of the time. Her lavishly decorated
tomb,
QV66, is one of the largest and most spectacular in the
Valley of the Queens. Ramesses also constructed a temple for her at
Abu Simbel next to his colossal monument there.