Hatshepsut

I have always been fascinated by the underdog so to speak, in history it is the woman who rise in the positions usually obtained by men. Egypt has seen some women on the throne, Hatshepsut, Cleopatra, Merneith (possibly the 4th pharaoh during the 1. dynasty), and some others.

Hatshepsut reigned in the 18. dynasty, in the period called the New Kingdom. She reigned from 1479 to 1458 B.C. Hatshepsut was the daughter of Tuthmosis I and queen Ahmose, and came to power when her brother and husband, Tuthmosis II died. It was not unheard of that a woman seized the throne, but for most part the tradition was that a dynasty usually ended with a woman. At first it was thought that Hatshepsut only was co-regent with her stepson, Tuthmosis III, but it is now generally accepted that she was in fact considered a pharaoh.

“Then his majesty said to them: "This daughter of mine, Khnumetamun Hatshepsut—may she live!—I have appointed as my successor upon my throne... she shall direct the people in every sphere of the palace; it is she indeed who shall lead you. Obey her words, unite yourselves at her command." The royal nobles, the dignitaries, and the leaders of the people heard this proclamation of the promotion of his daughter, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Maatkare—may she live eternally.”

As a woman, it was impossible for her to lead an army and therefore campaign abroad, so she simply didn’t. Her reign is considered in many ways a golden age with prosperity and growth. The most famous of her building project is the temple at Deir el-Bahari, by her architect, Senenmut, in many ways being like Imhotep in importance.

It is impossible to find out a lot about something in one hour, but something interesting is that they think they have identified Hatshepsut's mummy from Tomb KV60. Further testing should make it even more sure.