Hatshepsut
Attribution: vinylfirefly
1500 BC - 1458 BC
| Relationship | People |
|---|---|
| Children | Ramesses III |
| Parents | Thutmose I |
| Siblings | Ramesses III |
| Associated | George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon |
Hatshepsut was the fifth Pharaoh of the 18th-dynasty. Hers was the longest reign of the few female rulers of Ancient Egypt. Her reign was the longest of all the female pharaohs. Her funerary temple still stands as a tribute to her incredible rise to power.
As a a child she is believed to have been her father's favourite, a view she promoted widely. Her propaganda campaign in support of her campaign to become pharaoh in her own right was bolstered by her dressing like a man and donning a false beard.
She married her half brother Tuthmosis II and together they reigned for 14 years. Tuthmosis II declared his son Tuthmosis III, whose mother was a harem girl, to be his heir with the intention that he rule solely. However, when the young Tuthmosis III did ascend to the throne, Hatshepsut delcared herself regent, usurping his power and position as king.
She was considered to be one of the greatest of all the female rulers of her time. Despite her ambition and some times questionable methords, she was thought to be fair and just.
Like other pharaohs, she was a great builder, of monumnet, temples and tombs. Her mortuary temple is one of the most dramatically situated in the world. Set at the head of the valley in Thebes, a tree lined avenue of sphinxes leads up to the temple, which has terraces, porticos, colonades and ornate decoration.
She died in 1458 B.C. having been pharaoh since 1479 B.C., a reign of 21 years.
