History profile: Hatshepsut, the woman who ruled armies of men

CAIRO – 26 March 2018: Hatshepsut the eldest of two daughters was born to King Thutmose and Queen Ahmse. After her father’s death, Hatshepsut married her half brother Thutmose ll.

Thutmose ll, the son of her father from one of his secondary wives,became King after his father’s death around 1492 B.C. He and Hatshepsut had one daughter, Neferu-Ra. Thutmose died young in 1479 B.C, but he had another son, Thutmose lll, from also a secondary wife. The throne went to his son but he was very young to rule. Hatshepsut took over and acted as a regent until her stepson came of age.

According to Ancient History website, “in the seventh year of her regency, though, she changed the rules and had herself crowned Pharaoh of Egypt. She took on all the royal titles.”

Marc Van de Mieroop, a professor of Ancient Near Eastern history at Columbia University, noted on Ancient History website that Hatshepsut had been represented as a woman in earlier statues and relief sculptures, after her coronation as king though, she started appearing with male dresses and gradually became represented with male physique.

Hatshepsut felt that she had the right to rule Egypt like any man. Her male appearance wasn’t meant to manipulate the people in believing that their Pharaoh was a man. She was showing that she also was a Pharaoh.

Hatshepsut lived a peaceful life; she built many temples and focused on Egypt’s economy by conducting highly profitable trading activities. However, not everyone was fond of her achievements. Upon her death, Thutmose lll reclaimed the throne. He became a great Pharaoh and was also known as ‘The Napoleon of Ancient Egypt’ for his military victories. He destroyed almost everything Hatshepsut built. He had all the evidence of her existence destroyed. According to the “Story of Hatshepsut”article published by Hatsepsut.bediz , she built two obelisks of red granite and her name appeared on them. Thutmose lll destroyed one of the obelisks. She remained largely unknown until the 19th century.

Hatshepsut accomplished what no other woman had before her. She ruled the most powerful civilization for over 20 years.