In the tapestry of history, Queen Hatshepsut stands as a powerful thread of female leadership, weaving her indomitable spirit through the fabric of ancient Egypt's legacy.
In the annals of ancient Egypt, Queen Hatshepsut stands out as a symbol of power, leadership, and innovation. As the first female pharaoh to rule Egypt, she defied societal norms and left an indelible mark on the history of the ancient world.
In this comprehensive article, we delve into the captivating story of Queen Hatshepsut, exploring her background, accomplishments, architectural legacy, and, ultimately, her intriguing demise.
Who was The Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut?
Hatshepsut was a remarkable figure in ancient Egyptian history. Born circa 1508 BCE, she became the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty during the New Kingdom period. She shattered convention by assuming the role of the pharaoh, traditionally reserved for men and ruled as a co-regent with her young stepson, Thutmose III.
Engraved Portrait of Queen Hatshepsut
When was Queen Hatshepsut born?
Queen Hatshepsut was born in 1508 BCE during her father’s reign, Pharaoh Thutmose I, and her mother, Queen Ahmose.
Queen Hatshepsut’s Background and Family
Hatshepsut hailed from the powerful Eighteenth Dynasty. Her father, Thutmose I, and her mother, Queen Ahmose, were prominent figures in Egyptian royalty. Through her father’s marriage to Queen Ahmose, she was also a half-sister to her husband-brother, Thutmose II.
Exploring Queen Hatshepsut’s Ancestry
How did Queen Hatshepsut ascend the Throne?
Historic Moment: Queen Hatshepsut’s Throne Ascension
After the death of her father, she had a desire to ascend the throne because she was the daughter of a principal queen who bears the royal blood.
According to Egyptian tradition, the ruler of the country should be a man, not a woman. So Hatshepsut married her half-brother Thutmose II to legitimize his accession to the throne because Thutmose II was born from a secondary wife called Mutnefer.
King Thutmose II was weak in health, and he ruled Egypt only for about eight years. During his life, he got from Hatshepsut two daughters named Neferure and Merit-Ra-Hatshepsut. Besides, he also had a son called Thutmose III from another secondary wife called Isis.
Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose III
After the death of Thutmose II, his son Thutmose III married his half-sister Neferure to have the throne, but King Thutmose III was still young, so he was placed under the regency of his aunt, stepmother, and mother-in-law Queen Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut took the chance to dominate the throne by executing specific procedures: She shared the throne with Thutmose III for about three years. Then, she kept under his shadow and declared herself as sole ruler over Egypt.
Queen Hatshepsut with Thutmose III
Divine Birth of Queen Hatshepsut
To prove her right to the throne, Queen Hatshepsut claimed that she was the divine daughter of Amun, the supreme god of Egypt. She invented a story that the God Amun had taken the form of her father, Thutmose I, and he entered the room of her mother, Ahmos, and told her that she would get from him a daughter called Hatshepsut who would be the queen of Egypt.
Illustrating the Divine Birth of Queen Hatshepsut
What were Hatshepsut’s greatest accomplishments?
Celebrating the Accomplishments of Queen Hatshepsut
• Trade and Commerce: Hatshepsut initiated a bold and prosperous trade expedition to the land of Punt (modern-day Somalia). This expedition resulted in the acquisition of exotic goods, including gold, ivory, and incense, further enriching Egypt’s economy.
• Building Projects: Queen Hatshepsut commissioned ambitious architectural projects, most notably her mortuary temple known as Deir el-Bahari. This grand structure, nestled against the cliffs of Thebes, showcased her innovative architectural style and established her legacy as a visionary leader.
• Art and Culture: Hatshepsut’s reign witnessed a flourishing of art and culture. She actively promoted artistic expression, resulting in the creation of elaborate statues, reliefs, and paintings.
What is the significance of Queen Hatshepsut’s temple?
Queen Hatshepsut’s temple, known as Deir el-Bahari, is an architectural masterpiece. It features a series of collonaded terraces, majestic statues, and vibrant reliefs. The temple served as a monument to her reign, a center for religious ceremonies, and a place of worship for the gods.
What sets Queen Hatshepsut apart from other pharaohs?
Hatshepsut’s reign is notable for her decision to wear the traditional regalia of a male pharaoh, including the false beard and kilt. She presented herself as a divine ruler, breaking the mold of gender expectations in ancient Egypt.
In her portrayals, she was depicted with a male body rather than a female one, and even crafted sphinx statues in her own likeness. She went as far as asserting that the deity Amun was her father and insisted that it was his divine will for her to assume authority in Egypt, declaring, “I acted under his command; he was my guiding force.”
Was there a Secret love relation between Queen Hatshepsut and Senmut?
Uncovering the Secret Love of Queen Hatshepsut and Senmut
Senmut He was a very Smart and ambitious architect. He started his career during the time of King Thutmose II. He was the private tutor of Princess Neferure, the daughter of King Thutmose II and Queen Hatshepsut. Also, he was the steward of the estates of Amun.
After the death of King Thutmose II, he gained the trust of Hatshepsut. He was among the essential personalities who supported her to have total domination over the throne.
Senmut was an architect with extraordinary talents. He erected for Hatshepsut a marvelous mortuary temple at Deir Al-Bahari. He also erected her obelisks at Karnak Temple and other constructions.
He has two tombs; one of them is located under the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir Al-Bahari. This led some scholars to think that there was a secret love relationship between Queen Hatshepsut and Senmut. They also said that Senmut is the physical father of Neferure. But this opinion is not valid because there is no proof of that opinion. Besides, there is a statue of Senmut together with Neferure, described as (the tutor of Neferure).
When and how did The Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut die?
Queen Hatshepsut’s Death
Queen Hatshepsut’s death is believed to have occurred around 1458 BCE, marking the end of her prosperous reign. The precise cause of her death is still debated among historians and Egyptologists.
Some theories propose that she may have suffered from a long-term illness or complications from her earlier life, such as obesity or diabetes. Others speculate that her stepson and co-regent, Thutmose III, may have aided her demise, possibly staging a coup to seize full power.
However, an alternative theory suggests that Thutmose III didn’t demolish her monuments but instead contributed to the construction and completion of some of her architectural projects.
What happened to Hatshepsut’s body after her death?
According to Egyptian funerary traditions, Hatshepsut’s body was mummified after her death. However, her final resting place remained elusive for centuries. In 1903, her mummy was discovered in the Valley of the Kings, where it had been hidden to protect it from grave robbers.
Mummified Body of Queen Hatshepsut
Pictures of Queen Hatshepsut:
Numerous statues, reliefs, and artistic depictions of Queen Hatshepsut have been found throughout the ancient world. These visual representations portray her with the traditional symbols of pharaonic power, such as the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, the false beard, and the regal attire. The artworks showcase her as a powerful, authoritative ruler.
Elegant Queen Hatshepsut Pictures
What is Queen Hatshepsut’s legacy?
Queen Hatshepsut’s reign left an indelible mark on ancient Egypt. Her achievements in trade, architecture, and artistic patronage contributed to the prosperity and cultural development of the kingdom. Her mortuary temple, Deir el-Bahari, remains one of ancient Egypt’s most iconic architectural wonders, exemplifying her enduring legacy.
How was Hatshepsut remembered after her death?
Following her death, Queen Hatshepsut’s legacy underwent a complicated phase of historical revisionism. Many of her monuments and statues were defaced or destroyed, possibly due to the efforts of her successors to erase her memory. However, her accomplishments and reign have been rediscovered and recognized, restoring her rightful place in history as one of Egypt’s most influential pharaohs.
Queen Hatshepsut’s Expansion of Trade and Diplomacy:
Trade and Diplomacy: Queen Hatshepsut’s Legacy
Hatshepsut was known for her significant efforts in expanding Egypt’s trade and diplomatic relations. Among her important achievements was her commercial expedition to the land of Punt in East Africa during the ninth year of her reign. This expedition brought such Products as Lake gold, resins, ebony, black wood, ivory, and wild animals, including monkeys and baboons.
Concerning the route or the way of the expedition, it sailed in the Nile from Thebes to a city called Coptos. Then, it passed through the Eastern Desert to a Port known as Al-Kusir nowadays. From Al-Kusir, the expedition sailed in the Red Sea till reaching Punt.
It is known that the expedition sailed in the Red Sea because, in the scenes, two types of fish live in water with a high percentage of salt. This high amount of salt could only be found in the Red Sea, not in the Mediterranean Sea.
Queen Hatshepsut’s Architectural Marvels
Stunning Architectural Marvels – Hatshepsut Temple
Hatshepsut Temple, also known as Deir el-Bahari, is a magnificent ancient Egyptian temple located on the west bank of the Nile River in Luxor City. Built during the 15th century BCE, the temple is a testament to the architectural and artistic excellence of the New Kingdom period.
The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut was constructed to honor the legacy of Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt’s most notable female pharaohs. The temple is carved into the cliffs of the Theban Mountains and consists of three terraced levels connected by ramps and colonnades. The temple’s impressive colonnaded terraces, statues, and reliefs characterize the temple’s design. The lower level features a courtyard with rows of columns and various figures of the queen. The middle level showcases a colonnaded entrance to the central sanctuary dedicated to the god Amun. The upper level houses chapels and shrines dedicated to goddess Hathor, the goddess of love and beauty.
The temple walls are adorned with intricate reliefs depicting significant events from Hatshepsut’s life, including her divine birth, military campaigns, and religious rituals. These reliefs provide valuable insights into the queen’s reign and accomplishments. Today, the Temple of Hatshepsut stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best sights in Luxor, attracting visitors from around the world who marvel at its splendor and the historical significance it represents.
In addition to her grand temple, Queen Hatshepsut restored and constructed several other significant religious structures throughout Egypt. She restored and enhanced existing temples and shrines, emphasizing the importance of religious rituals and honoring Egypt gods. Hatshepsut’s architectural endeavors showcased her devotion to the spiritual practices of ancient Egypt and left a lasting impact on the country’s architectural landscape.
Political Stability and Economic Prosperity
Hatshepsut’s reign was characterized by political stability and economic prosperity. Her strong leadership and efficient governance enabled Egypt to thrive economically, increasing trade, agricultural productivity, and wealth accumulation. The kingdom experienced a period of relative peace and prosperity during her reign, fostering cultural and artistic development.
Conclusions:
Queen Hatshepsut’s reign was pivotal in ancient Egyptian history, marked by her bold rise to power, visionary leadership, and remarkable achievements. Despite attempts to erase her legacy, her memory lives on through the enduring structures she commissioned and the artworks that depict her majestic presence. As a groundbreaking female pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut defied societal norms and left an inspiring legacy that continues to captivate and intrigue us today.
