Figure femminili e gestione del potere durante la VI Dinastia: le donne della corte di Pepi I

Abstract

The kingdom of Pepi I (6th Dynasty) is characterized by a series of female characters who had
important roles at the court of the king and, apparently, some of these seem to have played a part in
the future of the Dynasty. In this paper, particular attention will be given to the cases of the
anonymous bride of Pepi I, to Nebet vizier of Upper Egypt, to Ankhenespepi I, to Ankhenespepi II and
to the role played by some princesses married to vizir or to high-ranking officers. The suggestion –
founded on the analysis of epigraphic and archaeological evidence – is that these women were more
than just vehicles for marriage alliances. In fact, what emerges is that several of these female
characters, with the approval of the king, would exercise a power similar to that of their male
counterparts.