Meryatum

Meryatum (also spelled Mery-atum) was an ancient Egyptian prince of the 18th Dynasty, the fourth son of Pharaoh Akhenaten and his Great Royal Wife Nefertiti. His name translates to "Beloved of Atum."

Meryatum is depicted in numerous reliefs and paintings from the reign of Akhenaten, often appearing alongside his parents and siblings, particularly his older brother Meketaten and younger brothers Akhenaten Smenkhkare and Tutankhaten (later Tutankhamun). He is frequently shown during religious ceremonies and family gatherings within the royal household.

His presence in art diminishes as Akhenaten's reign progresses. Meryatum likely died as a child or young adolescent sometime after Year 12 of Akhenaten's reign, although the exact date and cause of his death are unknown. He is believed to be buried in Tomb 26 in the Royal Wadi at Amarna, although this has not been definitively confirmed. The tomb contains inscriptions referencing Meketaten and possibly Meryatum, indicating they shared a burial space.

The significance of Meryatum lies in his role as a member of the Amarna royal family, offering insights into the lives and beliefs of Akhenaten and his court during a period of significant religious and artistic change in ancient Egypt. His depictions provide valuable information about royal family life, religious practices, and the artistic conventions of the Amarna period.