The First Female Pharaoh: Sobekneferu, Goddess of the Seven Stars
By (Author) Andrew Collins
Inner Traditions Bear and Company
Bear & Company
19th July 2023
United States
General
Non Fiction
Ancient history
Middle Eastern history
Mind, body, spirit
Alternative belief systems
932.013092
Paperback
464
Width 168mm, Height 241mm, Spine 28mm
769g
The cult, magic, reign, and resurrection of the first female ruler in Egypt
Reveals the achievements of Sobekneferu, the political and religious issues of her age, the temples and ruins associated with her, and her continuing impact on ancient Egypt after her reign
Discusses Sobekneferus magical beliefs and practices centered on the crocodile god Sobek, the hippo goddess Neith, and their representation as constellations
Examines the modern-day resurrection of Sobekneferu among mystics and occultists of Victorian London, including her role in Bram Stokers shocking gothic novel, The Jewel of the Seven Stars
Cleopatra. Nefertiti. Hatshepsut. All of them are ancient Egyptian female rulers who rose above their predominantly patriarchal societies to become controllers of a great empire. Missing from this list, however, is Sobekneferu, ancient Egypts first female ruler. Why was the reign of this powerful woman all but forgotten
Piecing together the lost history of the first female pharaoh, Andrew Collins presents the first comprehensive biography of Sobekneferu. Using every text and monument that concerns Sobekneferu and her time in power, he examines her achievements as ruler, the political and religious issues of her age, the temples and ruins associated with her, and her continuing impact on ancient Egypt after her reign. He explores her relationship with her brother Amenemhet IV, her sister Neferuptah, and their father Amenemhet III, regarded as one of the most beloved pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom. He examines Sobekneferus untimely end, the fate of her body, and the cult that developed in her name.
Discussing Sobekneferus magical beliefs and practices, Collins shows how they centered on the crocodile god Sobek, the hippo goddess Neith, and the circumpolar stars of the night sky in which they were personified. He also reveals how the setting of the Crocodile Star (Eltanin), the brightest star in the constellation of Draco, aligns with Sobekneferus suspected pyramid. Examining the modern-day resurrection of Sobekneferu among the occultists and mystics of Victorian London, Collins shows how she is the true inspiration behind every ancient Egyptian female queen who comes back to life after her tomb is found--as featured first in Bram Stokers shocking 1903 novel The Jewel of the Seven Stars and later in several modern blockbuster movies.
Revealing how Sobekneferu has left a lasting impact on culture and occulture through the ages despite being nearly erased from history, Collins shows how her continuing legacy is perhaps, ultimately, her true resurrection.
Andrew Collins is a science and history writer who investigates advanced civilizations in prehistory. He is the co-discoverer of a massive cave complex beneath the Giza plateau, now known as Collins Cave. The author of several books, including Origins of the Gods and Gbekli Tepe: Genesis of the Gods, he regularly appears on radio shows, podcasts, and TV series, including Ancient Aliens, The UnXplained with William Shatner, and Lost Worlds. He lives in Essex, England.