Hatshepsut – Female Pharaoh
by The Eighteenth Dynasty, ancient Egypt… A woman takes the Double Throne. What was it that motivated this enigmatic princess to take the most powerful political position in the world? This article explores Hatshepsut as an individual, and her motivation and influences with regards to the greatest civilisation of the day.
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
Hatshepsut – Female Pharaoh
(18th Dynasty, New Kingdom)
Introduction – Hatshepsut’s context and achievements
Hatshepsut was unique in the history of ancient Egypt as she took the role of pharaoh for herself. Previous royal women had ruled as ‘Queen Regnant’,[1] as did later female royals, but none became actual kings. Hatshepsut was the first and last Egyptian woman to claim the full authority of pharaohs so successfully and for so long.[2]
Hatshepsut was the daughter of Thutmose I and his Great Royal Wife (Hmt-nswt wrt), Ahmose.[3] On his ascension to the throne, Hatshepsut married her half-brother[4] Thutmose.[5] Thutmose II ruled for seven years,[6] during which period Hatshepsut was his Great Royal Wife. Following his death, Thutmose III (son of Thutmose II and a lesser wife) came to the throne.[7]
Since the young king was only a child, Hatshepsut took the throne as queen regent – apparently she used the title God’s Wife (Hemt meter) because the only two names for the queen regent were King’s Mother (Mwt mswt) or King’s Wife (hemt mswt) and she was neither of those – before progressing to the status of queen regnant.[8] As Female King of Egypt, Hatshepsut was now co-ruler with Thutmose III, and had a set of royal names.[9] It was a bold step, and must have taken considerable strength of character. Of course, it cannot be supposed that Hatshepsut did not benefit from a strong support base.[10]
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