Many of the members of his extended family are referred to as “Members of the Royal Harem”, but the term harem is actually rather unhelpful, as it conjures up visions of a group of women herded together for the gratification of the king, when it actually seems to have been a collection of women and children along with the officials instructed to look after them. Texts referring to these institutions suggest that they were also engaged in producing textiles and perhaps also acting in ritual processions and making music.
