Fair Winds Trade From the Aegean to Egypt’s Amarna
What do Queen Nefertari’s silver earrings, King Tutankhamun’s olive leaf collar, and an exquisite blue glass mixing vessel from Egypt have in common? They were all either a direct product of trade with the Aegean region, or inspired by its cultural aesthetic. In fact, during the Late Bronze Age period (ca. 1550-1200 BC), Egypt enjoyed many facets of Greek influence, including art, decoration, jewelry, pottery, and even foods like olives and olive oil.
Painting of Nefertari wearing her silver, Aegean-influenced earrings, in a scene from her tomb in the Valley of the Queens. (Image: Courtesy Jonathon Perrin)
During the prosperous reigns of Egypt’s ‘Sun Pharaohs’, Amenhotep III (1380-1342 BC) and his rebel son Akhenaten (1354-1337 BC), relations with Crete and Greece were at an all-time high. These mega-rich pharaohs received numerous gifts and trade goods from the Aegean region, were influenced by its natural and flowing artistic style and palace architecture, and may have even imported soldiers as mercenaries in their armies. To the mighty kings who ruled the most powerful country on earth, there was no need to fear these Greeks bearing gifts. They instead painted images of them in their tombs. So who were these generous Aegean peoples, and how did they influence the mighty 18th Dynasty Egypt?
