Which King Married His Own Sister?

The Egyptian Pharaohs, particularly those from the 18th Dynasty, were known for their sibling marriages, with a majority of them marrying their sisters or half-sisters, including notable rulers such as Tao II, Ahmose, Amenhotep I, and Thutmose III. These royal sibling marriages were a common practice among Egyptian royalty, as they believed it was a way to maintain the purity of their royal bloodline and to emulate the divine relationships of their gods.

Understanding Royal Sibling Marriages

To delve deeper into the world of ancient Egyptian royalty and their intriguing marital practices, let’s explore some frequently asked questions related to this topic.

FAQs

1. Who married his own sister in history? The Greek god Zeus married his sister, the goddess Hera, and the Egyptian god Osiris married his sister Isis, while the Inca god-king Manco Capac also married his sister.
2. Which pharaoh married his own daughter? Akhenaten’s father, Amenhotep III, married one of his own daughters, and Ramses II married two of his own daughters.
3. Why did pharaohs marry their sisters? Their union was a testament to the idea that love and partnership could transcend even the boundaries set by nature, and for the pharaohs, emulating this divine relationship was a way to align themselves with the gods.
4. Did Ramses II marry his daughters? Yes, Ramses II married his daughters Bintanath, Meritamen, Nebettawy, and Henutmire.
5. Did Cleopatra marry her brother? Yes, Cleopatra was married to her brother Ptolemy XIV.
6. What pharaoh had 100 wives? Ramses II had over 200 wives and concubines and over 100 children.
7. Which pharaoh was murdered by his own wife? Ramses III was murdered by his secondary queen Tiy and her son Prince Pentawere.
8. Which pharaoh married his mother? Amenhotep II married his mother Merytre when he became pharaoh.
9. Which religion married their own sister? In Zoroastrianism, it was a high act of worship to marry within the family, including sisters, daughters, and mothers.
10. Why did Egyptian kings marry their daughters? Incestuous alliances were common among Egypt’s royalty because the king was considered a god, and this practice was a way to maintain the purity of their royal bloodline.
11. What states can you marry your half sibling? In no state in the United States can you legally marry your half-brother or half-sister.
12. Are William and Kate related? Yes, Prince William and Kate Middleton are fourteenth cousins once removed through his mother and fifteenth cousins through his father.
13. Were Charles and Diana related? Yes, Prince Charles and Princess Diana were very distant cousins through several lines, including their descent from Henry VII.
14. Do royal families still inbreed? In modern times, marriages between royal dynasties have become much rarer to avoid inbreeding, as many royal families share common ancestors and therefore share much of the genetic pool.
15. Who was the most famous pharaoh’s wife? Neferneferuaten Nefertiti was the great royal wife of King Akhenaten and is perhaps ancient Egypt’s most famous queen.

Conclusion

The practice of royal sibling marriages in ancient Egypt was a complex and intriguing aspect of their royal culture, driven by the desire to maintain the purity of their royal bloodline and to emulate the divine relationships of their gods. Through exploring the frequently asked questions related to this topic, we can gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and the motivations behind these unusual marital practices.