Tuesday 10 May 2016

Hatshepsut, woman who became Pharaoh

Hatshepsut was the oldest daughter of Tuthmosis I and Queen Ahmose, and half-sister of Tuthmosis II. Hatshepsut received the title of Divine Wives of Amun during the life of his mother, which was against the principle of of inheritance of the title after the death of its predecessor. After accession to the throne of Thutmose II, he took her to wife. Thutmose II reigned thirteen years, but the real power held his wife, dealing with the most important affairs of state. Because marriage Tuthmosis II and Hatshepsut were born two daughters Neferure and Meritre Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut created a Neferure at the prince of blood in promoting her image as a male child. All this indicates that, Hatshepsut's daughter was preparing to take power as the successor - as pharaoh. Unfortunately Neferure died at a young age, destroying any plans and hopes of the mother.

After the death of Tuthmosis II, power assumed minors Thutmose III, son of a secondary wife named Iset. Hatshepsut was his aunt, stepmother and mother in law (Thutmose III in childhood, married the daughter of Hatshepsut). Hatshepsut took the regency. In the second or third year of regency she crowned herself king, assuming the title of pharaoh and the full royal titulary. Minors Thutmose III from then was only her co-ruler.


Hatshepsut exercise of power based on a few trusted personalities. The first and most important of them was Senenmut. He advised the queen on political and economic. Senenmut came from the plebeian impoverished family. Career Senenmut during the reign of Hatshepsut is one of the most brilliant in the history of Egypt. It seems that it is unjust judgment, saying that he owed considerations queen only because of the intimate relationship that remained with her. Senenmut was an official managing the royal court, spokesman for the queen and the Manager of any construction work. He wore many titles, providing high positions which clearly held. Can be assumed that all the sculptures and reliefs, depicting Senenmut are his tribute and expression of total commitment and loyalty to Hatshepsut. The closeness these two people is not in doubt. There is also a presumption of romance between them.

An important role surrounded Hatshepsut served Hapuseneb, the high priest of Amon, coming from an excellent family. His grandfather was a vizier at the court of Tuthmosis I. He also was one of the supervisors and contractors temple at Deir el-Bahari. Other dignitaries was remarkable, Chancellor Nehesy.

There is documented evidence to conduct at least five military expeditions, organized at the time of Hatshepsut to Nubia, Palestine and Syria, aimed at maintaining the Egyptian domination and influence in these areas, which are a continuation of politics predecessors, especially her father Tuthmosis I.

Hatshepsut as a woman, she was forced to do a lot of effort to legitimize his rule. She used for this purpose the cult of Amon and support of priests of Karnak. Women in Ancient Egypt had a much higher status than anywhere else in the ancient world. Many of them played a significant role in the formation of the state and its rulers. For example Chentikaus queen, the wife of Pharaoh Neferirkare I, ruler of Dynasty V, Nitocris, Queen - perhaps the last ruler of the dynasty VI and Sobekneferu, ruler of the end of the twelfth dynasty, when for the first time in the title referred to as a female pharaoh.


The process of transformation into a male pharaoh Hatshepsut proceeded in stages. The Queen progressively accepted regalia shawl chat, ureus, ceremonial false beard. Many statue presents her half-male and female form. After a period of transformation into any statues of Hatshepsut show typical male form as fully male pharaoh with all the signs of power. The reason for doing so is still an enigma, but according to the latest theory  Hatshepsut desire to be king, not queen regent, or great wife. Certainly a great influence on her behavior had her father, Tuthmosis I, who believed it to be a true heir to the throne.



After the death of Hatshepsut, Thutmose III took power. After many years, the peaceful reign of Hatshepsut, he was faced with the need organization of military expeditions against anti-Egyptian coalitions. Soon after accession to the throne, he ordered to remove all images of his predecessor, and the years of his reign counted from the death of Tuthmosis II.

Hatshepsut became famous with the achievements of the building much numerous and more impressive than its predecessors, kings the New Kingdom. The work of these hired two prominent people. They were, dignitary of the court and architect Ineni and Senenmut. Under their supervision they performed great and wonderful buildings. The resulting real masterpieces - a great and probably most magnificent Temple of Millions of Years in Deir el-Bahari and buildings within the Temple of Karnak and the famous Red Chapel, built as a chapel of the Holy Barca.



Hatshepsut ordered to forge for themselves a tomb in the Valley of the Kings, which probably was buried. In addition to the sarcophagus in the tomb were found the sarcophagus of Tuthmosis I, her father.

Hatshepsut's temple was built at the foot of the giant rock wall in Deir el-Bahari. Temple, much of it carved in the rock, consists of three cascaded, interconnected ramps terraces, which were completed porticos. Ramps were decorated pedestals. The road to the lowest terrace, conducted between obelisks and statues of sphinxes. The second terrace was decorated with numerous reliefs depicting scenes from the life of the queen. On the upper terrace was a courtyard with the entrances to the Chambers of Rebirth Hatshepsut and her father. On the middle terrace was built on the left side chapel of Hathor, and Anubis on the right. Before the columns of the third terrace were statues of Osiris.


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