AMENARDIS I

    The daughter of King Kashta, the founder of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty, Amenardis I was adopted as a 'daughter' by *Shepenopet I, the daughter of Osorkon III. Thus, she became heiress to the title and position of the 'Divine Wife of Amun'. Earlier in the New Kingdom, this title had been borne by the king's chief wife, who had then enacted the role of consort to the god Amun in the religious state rituals. By the Late Period, this title was transferred to the king's daughter who became a priestess with great political and religious influence. Although the Divine Wife's power was limited to Thebes, here she now held equal status to the king, possessing her own house, land and officials and holding the authority to make offerings to the gods. Thus, each king, through his daughter, secured ultimate control over Thebes and ensured that no male rival seized power in the southern capital. The Divine Wife was not allowed to marry, but adopted as her 'daughter' and heiress the daughter of the next king. Thus, Amenardis I eventually adopted the princess Shepenopet II, the daughter of King *Piankhy, as her successor.