Sometimes regarded as “the first great woman in history”2, Hatshepsut ruled Egypt from about 1479-1458 BC. She was an absolute monarch in her prime, and alongside such women as Cleopatra and Nefertiti she is considered one of Egypt’s most famous rulers. Her ascension to the throne began in 1479 BC, when her husband Tuthmosis II died. For a while, she reigned as regent, but not as pharaoh, as her infant nephew Tuthmosis III held the rights to the crown. However, she gradually took on more male-oriented roles and titles, until 1473 BC, when she proclaimed herself Pharaoh. By then she had changed her name to His Majesty King Ma’atkara Hatshepsu Khnemet-Amen (the feminine “-t” suffix was dropped), and had begun wearing traditional pharaonic regalia, such as the headdress and false beard3. In short, she established herself professionally and adeptly as a ruler, and this is why the Great Person Theory is applicable to her. The Great Person Theory is a means of explaining history through the impact of influential individuals; those who have used power in a way that had a decisive historical impact4. It was created by Thomas Carlyle, a 19th century historian5. It applies to Hatshepsut in many different ways: Egypt was stable under her rule, she increased Egypt’s prosperity with numerous campaigns, and she also set a worldwide feministic example of a good leader2.

Hatshepsut was an intelligent and well-liked woman; as a result, Egypt remained a stable country under her rule. She used many tactics that are still seen today in order to secure her political stability. Religious propaganda as a means of solidifying her power was dispersed, thus leading people to believe that she was directly ascended from a godly bloodline6. She also upheld tradition by building monuments and temples: areas that could be used by the public, while at the same time further advertising her as Pharaoh7. To solidify this she began to dress as a male2. This ensured that she would be respected just as a male pharaoh was.

In addition to retaining Egypt’s stability, Hatshepsut also increased its prosperity6. She organized several successful military operations, most notably an invasion of Palestine (then Retenu) in order to capture slaves. She also created new trade routes, and reopened the trade routes with the Hyskos from Punt. This was an incredible step up for Egypt, as it healed some severed bonds between the Egyptians and the Hyskos. It also allowed Egypt to have a source of essential mummification and beauty products, such as myrrh, frankincense, and pistacia6. The last important economic feat she accomplished was the reopening of turquoise and copper mines in Sinai. She increased both her wealth and her power, as from then on she was worshipped as “The Lady of Turquoise”2. The riches she acquired during these years continued to fund and empower future generations of Pharaohs in Egypt, even until Tutankhamen’s time a century later5.

Despite an increase in wealth and stability, possibly the most influential feat accomplished by Hatshepsut was one that was unintentional. By simply being a female Pharaoh, she provided a source of inspiration and empowerment for future female leaders worldwide2. Hatshepsut went down in history as a strong, intelligent, and charismatic woman, thus spreading the controversial notion that all women are capable to be such. Her reign as Pharaoh, however brief, probably helped lead to a more equalized society.

In conclusion, Hatshepsut was most definitely a “Great Person”. She showed this by keeping Egypt stable through well-thought out political tactics, increasing Egypt’s prosperity through successful campaigns, and by showing the world that female leaders were just as capable, if not more so, than male leaders. Not only did she influence history decisively, but she also influenced it in a positive manner, and this is the essence of true greatness.

Bibliography

BBC UK (2007).Pharaoh Hatshepsu. Retrieved September 30th, 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/a24739185

Bediz.com. The Story of Hapshepsut. Retreived September 30, 2008. http://bediz.com/hatshep/story.html

Nevine, El-Aref (2007). Back in the Limelight. Retrieved September 30, 2008. http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2007/851/eg11.htm

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition (2002). The Great Man Theory.

2 As quoted by American Egyptologist Henry Breasted.

3 BBC UK (2007).Pharaoh Hatshepsu. Retrieved September 30th, 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/a24739185

4 As quoted directly by Ms. Albi.

5 The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition (2002). The Great Man Theory.

6 Nevine, El-Aref (2007). Back in the Limelight. Retrieved September 30, 2008. http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2007/851/eg11.htm

7 Bediz.com. The Story of Hapshepsut. Retreived September 30, 2008. http://bediz.com/hatshep/story.html