Hatshepsut Lesson

Although the status of women in ancient Egypt was higher than in any other ancient civilization, the notion that a woman could be king was abhorrent to the Egyptians. Yet, a woman did become king and not just an ordinary king. She became the first great woman in recorded history, the forerunner of such figures as Cleopatra, Elizabeth I, and Catherine the Great. Her name was Hatshepsut and she ruled as pharaoh for 21 years. Sadly, after her death the Egyptians, who were a deeply conservative people, obliterated her memory so that later pharaohs such as Ramses II and Cleopatra would have been ignorant of her existence.

During the New Kingdom, the pharaoh Hatshepsut (haht-SHEPsoot) ruled Egypt from about 1473 to 1458 B.C.E.  Hatshepsut was one of Egypt's first female pharaohs.  Under her rule, Egyptian art and architecture flourished.  Hatshepsut was also known for encouraging trade.

One of her greatest accomplishments was her rise to power since few women had ever become Egyptian pharaohs.  Initially, she shared power with her male relatives.  However, she soon achieved sole leadership.

Hatshepsut strengthened her position in several ways. She filled her government with loyal advisers. She demanded the same respect shown to male rulers. She sometimes dressed in men's clothing, even putting on the fake beard male pharaohs wore. Artists were often instructed to portray her as a man. She also spread stories that her father was a god.

As pharaoh, Hatshepsut promoted trade with other countries.  Her biggest trade expedition was to the African kingdom of Punt, at the southern end of the Red Sea.  Over 200 men in five ships brought gifts and traded goods to Punt.

Hatshepsut left behind a stunning monument to her reign—a great temple at Dayr al-Bahri  (deer ahl-BAH-ray).  The main part of the temple was built into a cliff above the Nile River.  At the entrance were two tall, thin monuments called  obelisks .  The entrance was also graced by 200 sphinx statues.  The sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man.

Scenes from Hatshepsut's reign decorated the temple walls. Detailed carvings portrayed the great voyage to Punt and illustrated the valuable items the pharaoh's traders had brought back to Egypt.