Topic > Queen Hatshepsut: A Biography

Biography: Queen Hatshepsut Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay One of the most famous rulers of ancient Egypt is Queen Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was born around 1508 BC in Thebes, Egypt, to King Thutmose I and his chief wife and queen, Ahmose. She is best known as the longest-reigning female ruler in Egypt, ruling for over 20 years. He was the fifth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty during the period known as the New Kingdom (1570-1069 BC). Hatshepsut has often been cited as the first female leader of Egypt, however further research has shown that there were women who reigned before her such as "Merneith (c. 3000 BC) in the Early Dynastic Period (probably as regent) and Sobeknefru ( c. 1807-1802 BC) in the Middle Kingdom and Twosret (1191-1190 BC) after her towards the end of the 19th Dynasty. However, her strong leadership, particularly in ambitious building projects, make her one of the female rulers of most successful of ancient Egypt. 1508 BC Her father, King Thutmose I, died when Hatshepsut was 12. After her father's death, Hatshepsut married her half-brother, King Thutmose II, and later assumed the role of queen and wife. main. Thutmose II, who inherited his father's throne around 1492 BCE, had a daughter, Neferure, with Hatshepsut. However, Thutmose II died young, around 1479 BCE, and the throne passed to his infant son After 15 years in power, King Thutmose II died, leaving Hatshepsut a widow before the age of 30. The only daughter, Neferure, was not to be the heir to the throne as Thutmose II had a male child born to a secondary wife named Isis. The son, named Thutmose III, was too young to take the throne on his own. Therefore Hatshepsut acted as her regent, taking care of state affairs. However, after less than seven years, “Hatshepsut took the unprecedented step of assuming the title and full powers of a pharaoh herself, becoming co-ruler of Egypt with Thutmose III.” Hatshepsut began to be depicted wearing the king's traditional kilt and crown, along with a false beard and a male body. It is argued that Hatshepsut's successful transition from queen to pharaoh was, in part, due to her "ability to recruit influential supporters, and many of the men she chose had been favored officials of her father, Thutmose I." it was highly appreciated by scholars. Hatshepsut was more interested in ensuring economic prosperity and building and restoring monuments throughout Egypt and Nubia than in conquering new lands. Some of his greatest achievements include the enormous memorial temple at Deir el-Bahri, considered one of the architectural wonders of ancient Egypt. Its ancient name was djeser-djeseru “the holiest of sacred places”, with its three colonnaded terraces leading to a sanctuary. Another notable achievement of her reign was a trading expedition she authorized that "brought vast riches – including ivory, ebony, gold, leopard skins, and incense – back to Egypt from a distant land known as Punt (perhaps modern-day Eritrea)". Hatshepsut also created a project that erected a pair of red granite obelisks in the Temple of Amun at Karnak, one of which still stands today. Death and Legacy Keep in mind: This is just one example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essayHatshepsut died in early February 1458 BC, probably in her mid-forties. In recent years, scientists have speculated that the cause of his death was related to an ointment or ointment used to relieve a chronic genetic skin condition, a treatment that..