Learn the story of Hatshepsut, one of the only women to become pharaoh

Despite much resistance and the fact that most world leaders are men, women are increasingly taking positions of power. The way of looking at the issue changes according to cultural issues and the current government; Even so, several marked their names in history, as we have already shown here in Mega.

Women taking over Pharaoh's post in ancient Egypt were not common, but among the few is Hatshepsut, who performed great works in his reign. Attempts were made to withdraw credit for the deeds, but they were so great that it was not possible.

Way to power

Daughter of Pharaoh Thutmose I and his wife Ahmose, Hatshepsut grew up with his sister Nefrubity. She idolized her father, but said it was the result of a divine union between her mother and the God Amun. This statement is made clear by the existence of a relief in his grand tomb, where his father crowns him in the presence of Egyptian gods.

After Pharaoh's death, the throne naturally passed to Thutmose II, Hatshepsut's stepbrother and husband. Although strange, the practice was common in ancient Egypt, giving her the title of queen. Both her father and husband made several raids in Nubia, where they conquered areas that were annexed to the empire.

Not long after his inauguration, Thutmose II died, making way for Thutmose III, Hatshepsut's stepson and nephew. He was still a child and therefore could not rule Egypt, a task that was his aunt / mother, as regent. For 3 years this title remained until she herself determined that she would be the new pharaoh.

The pharaoh

She was one of the few women who held Pharaoh's post during the three millennia when this was possible. Her definition as a new pharaoh implied a whole process of recognition by the population, changing names in strategic places and building statues.

The new sculptures kept the pattern used so far, showing the new pharaoh as a bearded man, except for some small feminine features, such as a thinner waist than the conventional one. In addition, the words used in inscriptions made it clear that Pharaoh was a woman.

During her reign, she began a number of construction projects that far surpassed her predecessors, especially in Nubia, which had recently been conquered by her father and husband.

Several works were also begun in Egypt itself, most notably the temple at Deir el-Bahari, which was known as djeser-djeseru, or "the holiest of holy places." When the site was discovered in the nineteenth century, archaeologists found shrines dedicated to Hathor and Anubis, along with a Hatshepsut sphinx, demonstrating their triumph over enemies. There was also in the center a set of reliefs showing an expedition to the kingdom of Punt.

Trip to Punt

Also known as the 'Land of the Gods', to this day it is not known exactly where the place was; the main suspicions point to northeast Africa. From what has been identified on record, the trip led by Hatshepsut was a success and brought several wonders of the place, among them wonderful fragrances, myrrh resin from young trees, ebony and ivory, with green gold from Emu. This was something to celebrate, for no pharaoh could be so successful in relations with the locality.

After Hatshepsut's death, Thutmose III assumed power, which was originally his by right. Although her body went through the usual burial process and placed in the Valley of the Kings, her memory was not kept as she probably expected.

The monuments built during his reign were attacked, his statues destroyed, and all places that registered his name were erased. Egyptologists believe this attitude was an attempt by the new pharaoh to gain some credit for all the success he has achieved. Joyce Tyldesley wrote in a BBC article that, “By removing all obvious references to his coregent, Thutmose III could associate her reign with his own name. He would then become the greatest pharaoh of Egypt. ”

Hatshepsut's mummy was identified in 2007, crossing information with the dental arch in an identified canopic vessel. At the time of her death, she was about 50 years old, suffering from diabetes and having her nails painted red and black. Despite the attempt to erase it from Egyptian history, his deeds were greater than that; therefore, she is considered one of the most triumphant leaders in ancient Egypt.

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