Hatshepsut
June 5th 2009 19:07
Hatshepsut, the first female ruler, gained and held power in ancient Egypt during a time of prosperity. Her rule was to last for twenty two years, beginning in 1504BC.
Her role was unprecedented at that time. Not only did she become King of both Upper and Lower Egypt, she was also female. The idea of a feminine ruler was anathemic to ancient Egyptian priests.
Following the death of her husband, who was also her half-brother, she became regent to the throne and eventually co-ruler with her step-son Thutmoses II before finally, through political manoevrings, taking complete control.
During her time as regent she acted only as pharaohs could. She made offerings to the gods and had obelisks built. Her political and religious speeches and subterfuge included statements that her father had wanted her to rule and that she was a descendant of the fod Amun.
Once in full control, she wished to be identified as a king and insisted on being depicted with a male torso and with the traditional false beard.
Having brought peace and prosperity to both Upper and Lower Egypt, monuments were built in her honour, no doubt after royal proclamation. She also encouraged exploration in the hope of peaceful expansion plus the knowledge greater wealth may well be bestowed upon her people.
She died in 1482BC at the age of fifty, suffering from obesity, tooth decay, diabetes and cancer. Her mortuary temple was situated in the vicinity of Thebes and became known as "the wonder of wonders".
The actual location of her mummified remains became an unsolved mystery for over 3,500 years.
Her tomb was found in 1902. Her sarcophagus however, was empty. The canopic jars containing vital organs were found. The mummy of her protector and that of another unknown body were found in the tomb below. It was feared that tomb raiders had stolen the body.
Over 100 years later the mummies were closely examined with the use of CT scans in Cairo Museum. In 2007 autopsies were carried out and a tooth, found amongst Hatshepsut's organs, was matched to the body of her protector. The bodies had been confused; the mummified body of the protector was none other than Hatshepsut.
During her reign it is believed she had a relationship with Senenmut (architect of Djser Djeseru). The relationship was controversial; he was a commoner, and yet he was promoted into high government. He was also responsible for the schooling of Hatshepsut's daughter Neferure. It is believed that Hatshepsut and Senenmut were lovers.
She launched a massive expedition to the land of Punt. The expedition returned with exotic goods such as Myrrh trees.
There are conflicting theories about how her successor, Thutmosis III, felt about Hatshepsut.
Some say he must have hated her, but I'm not too sure. He was head of the army and well into manhood by the time Hatshepsut died. If he hated her, why didn't he take the throne by force? It was his birthright and he had the army on his side. Why did he have her images removed from all visible monuments but not from private monuments? The ancient Egyptians believed that if all traces of a person's name were destroyed, the gods would not be able to find them in the afterlife. By leaving some 'hidden' images of her, he allowed Hatshepsut to live on in the afterlife. If he hated her, he would not have done this.
Although Cleopatra was destined to become the most iconic female pharaoh in the eyes of the film industry and modern historians, the fact remains Hatshepsut was the most powerful and longest reigning female pharaoh throughout the complete history of ancient Egypt.
Her role was unprecedented at that time. Not only did she become King of both Upper and Lower Egypt, she was also female. The idea of a feminine ruler was anathemic to ancient Egyptian priests.
Following the death of her husband, who was also her half-brother, she became regent to the throne and eventually co-ruler with her step-son Thutmoses II before finally, through political manoevrings, taking complete control.
During her time as regent she acted only as pharaohs could. She made offerings to the gods and had obelisks built. Her political and religious speeches and subterfuge included statements that her father had wanted her to rule and that she was a descendant of the fod Amun.
Once in full control, she wished to be identified as a king and insisted on being depicted with a male torso and with the traditional false beard.
Having brought peace and prosperity to both Upper and Lower Egypt, monuments were built in her honour, no doubt after royal proclamation. She also encouraged exploration in the hope of peaceful expansion plus the knowledge greater wealth may well be bestowed upon her people.
She died in 1482BC at the age of fifty, suffering from obesity, tooth decay, diabetes and cancer. Her mortuary temple was situated in the vicinity of Thebes and became known as "the wonder of wonders".
The actual location of her mummified remains became an unsolved mystery for over 3,500 years.
Her tomb was found in 1902. Her sarcophagus however, was empty. The canopic jars containing vital organs were found. The mummy of her protector and that of another unknown body were found in the tomb below. It was feared that tomb raiders had stolen the body.
Over 100 years later the mummies were closely examined with the use of CT scans in Cairo Museum. In 2007 autopsies were carried out and a tooth, found amongst Hatshepsut's organs, was matched to the body of her protector. The bodies had been confused; the mummified body of the protector was none other than Hatshepsut.
During her reign it is believed she had a relationship with Senenmut (architect of Djser Djeseru). The relationship was controversial; he was a commoner, and yet he was promoted into high government. He was also responsible for the schooling of Hatshepsut's daughter Neferure. It is believed that Hatshepsut and Senenmut were lovers.
She launched a massive expedition to the land of Punt. The expedition returned with exotic goods such as Myrrh trees.
There are conflicting theories about how her successor, Thutmosis III, felt about Hatshepsut.
Some say he must have hated her, but I'm not too sure. He was head of the army and well into manhood by the time Hatshepsut died. If he hated her, why didn't he take the throne by force? It was his birthright and he had the army on his side. Why did he have her images removed from all visible monuments but not from private monuments? The ancient Egyptians believed that if all traces of a person's name were destroyed, the gods would not be able to find them in the afterlife. By leaving some 'hidden' images of her, he allowed Hatshepsut to live on in the afterlife. If he hated her, he would not have done this.
Although Cleopatra was destined to become the most iconic female pharaoh in the eyes of the film industry and modern historians, the fact remains Hatshepsut was the most powerful and longest reigning female pharaoh throughout the complete history of ancient Egypt.
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