Born: c. 1507 BC (Egypt)
Died: c. 1458 BC
Biography:
Hatshepsut, also known as Hatchepsut or Hatasu, was the fifth Pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, ruling from around 1478 or 1479 BC until her death in 1458 BC. She was born to Thutmose I and his principal wife Ahmose. After the death of her husband and half-brother Thutmose II, Hatshepsut initially ruled as regent for her stepson Thutmose III, who ascended the throne at the tender age of two.
Several years into her regency, Hatshepsut took on the position of pharaoh and adopted the full royal titulary, making her a co-ruler alongside Thutmose III. In order to solidify her position in the Egyptian patriarchy, she assumed traditionally male roles and was often depicted as a male pharaoh, donning masculine attributes and attire.
Hatshepsut’s reign was marked by a period of unprecedented prosperity and peace. She emerged as one of the most prolific builders in Ancient Egypt, overseeing grand construction projects such as the Karnak Temple Complex, the Red Chapel, the Speos Artemidos, and her most famous monument, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. These architectural marvels solidified her legacy as a formidable ruler and a patron of the arts.
After ruling for 22 years, Hatshepsut passed away, leaving behind a prosperous empire. However, towards the end of the reign of Thutmose III and during the reign of his son Amenhotep II, an attempt was made to erase Hatshepsut from official accounts of Egyptian history. Her statues were destroyed, her monuments were defaced, and many of her accomplishments were ascribed to other pharaohs.
Modern Egyptologists have proposed various reasons for this erasure, including sibling rivalry, political motivations, and bias against her gender. Despite these attempts to diminish her influence, Hatshepsut’s reign stands as a testament to her exceptional leadership and her determination to break the boundaries imposed on women in ancient societies.