About a hundred years ago, an Egyptologist named James Henry Breasted called Hatshepsut “the first great woman in history of whom we are informed.” This is quite interesting because some pharaohs who came after her tried to erase her from history. They might have been jealous of her success or wanted to stick to old traditions. Luckily, they didn’t succeed, and we can still learn about Hatshepsut, the woman who became a pharaoh.
Hatshepsut was born around 1508 BC and was part of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty. This dynasty is famous for having well-known figures like Tutankhamun and Nefertiti. It was also the start of the New Kingdom, a time considered one of ancient Egypt’s “Golden Ages.” After this period, Egypt never quite reached the same heights again.
Hatshepsut was the daughter of Tuthmosis I, the stepsister and wife of Tuthmosis II, and the stepmother of Tuthmosis III. While she is often thought of as the first female pharaoh, there were other female rulers before her, like Sobekneferu, who ruled after her brother died without a male heir.
Hatshepsut was the daughter of Pharaoh Tuthmosis I and his main wife, Ahmose. Pharaohs often had many wives, but only one was considered the main wife. When Tuthmosis I died around 1493 BC, Tuthmosis II became pharaoh, even though he wasn’t Ahmose’s son. Hatshepsut married Tuthmosis II when she was about 12, and they had a daughter named Neferure.
Tuthmosis II’s reign is a bit unclear. Some say it lasted 13 to 14 years, but others think it might have been shorter. He died in 1479 BC, and although Tuthmosis III was supposed to be the next pharaoh, he was just a child. Hatshepsut started as his regent, which means she ruled on his behalf, but she eventually took full power and became pharaoh herself.
At first, Hatshepsut used traditional titles and was shown alongside the young pharaoh. But around the seventh year of Tuthmosis III’s reign, she began to be depicted as the King of Egypt, with all the titles and symbols of a pharaoh.
Hatshepsut worked hard to gain the people’s support, claiming her divine right to rule as the daughter of Tuthmosis I. She also had the backing of important officials, like Senenmut, who became very influential during her reign.
Why Hatshepsut took power is still debated. Some think she was ambitious, while others believe she acted to protect herself and Tuthmosis III during a political crisis. Whatever her reasons, her reign was a time of prosperity for Egypt, with lots of trade and building projects.
She reopened trade with a place called Punt, bringing back valuable goods. Hatshepsut was also a great builder, creating monuments at the Temple of Karnak and her mortuary temple, Djeser-Djeseru, which showed off her achievements.
Hatshepsut died in 1458 BC and was buried in a royal tomb known as KV20. Her tomb was found and explored over the years, but her remains were missing. Some archaeologists think a mummy found in another tomb, KV60, might be hers. Recent studies support this idea, but not everyone agrees.
If the KV60 mummy is Hatshepsut, it seems she might have had health problems like arthritis and possibly skin cancer. The reasons for her disappearance from history are unclear, but many believe her stepson, Tuthmosis III, might have tried to erase her from the records.
Despite these attempts, many artifacts with her name and image survived. Archaeologists in the 19th and 20th centuries helped bring back Hatshepsut’s legacy, allowing her to be remembered as one of the greatest pharaohs in history.
Research and create a timeline of the major events in Hatshepsut’s life. Include her birth, marriage, rise to power, major achievements, and death. Use images and dates to make your timeline visually appealing and informative.
Divide into groups and role-play a debate between supporters of Hatshepsut and those who opposed her rule. Discuss her achievements and the reasons some might have wanted to erase her from history. Use evidence from the article to support your arguments.
Imagine you are an architect in ancient Egypt. Design a monument to honor Hatshepsut’s legacy. Consider the architectural styles of the time and include elements that reflect her achievements and contributions to Egypt.
Write a diary entry as if you were Hatshepsut during a significant moment in her life, such as her decision to become pharaoh or the completion of a major building project. Express her thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
Research the trade relationship between Egypt and Punt during Hatshepsut’s reign. Create a presentation that explains what goods were traded, the significance of this trade, and how it contributed to Egypt’s prosperity.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript, removing any potentially sensitive or inappropriate content while maintaining the essence of the narrative:
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A hundred years ago, Egyptologist James Henry Breasted described Hatshepsut as “the first great woman in history of whom we are informed.” This is particularly ironic considering that one or more pharaohs who came after her attempted to erase her from history through damnatio memoriae. Perhaps they resented her success or wanted a return to tradition. Thankfully, they did not succeed, allowing us to share the story of Hatshepsut, the woman who became a pharaoh.
**To Be a Female Pharaoh**
Hatshepsut was born circa 1508 BC and was part of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, which became notable for several reasons. It included well-known historical figures such as Tutankhamun and Nefertiti and marked the beginning of the New Kingdom, a period considered one of ancient Egypt’s “Golden Ages.” After the New Kingdom, the empire experienced a steady decline and never reached the same heights again.
Hatshepsut was the daughter of Tuthmosis I, stepsister (and wife) of Tuthmosis II, and stepmother of Tuthmosis III. She is sometimes identified as the first female pharaoh, but this is not entirely accurate. While she is the first female pharaoh with substantial historical evidence, there were earlier female rulers, such as Sobekneferu, who ruled after her brother died without a male heir.
**Her Rise to Power**
Hatshepsut was the daughter of Pharaoh Tuthmosis I and his Great Royal Wife, Ahmose. It was common for pharaohs to have multiple wives, but only one was the main wife. Tuthmosis II succeeded to the throne after his father’s death circa 1493 BC, but he was not the son of Ahmose. He married Hatshepsut when she was about 12 years old, and they had one known child, a daughter named Neferure.
Tuthmosis II’s reign is somewhat unclear, with traditional sources stating it lasted 13 to 14 years, but some modern Egyptologists suggest it may have been shorter. He died in 1479 BC, and although Tuthmosis III was technically his successor, he was only a child. Hatshepsut ruled as his regent but eventually took power for herself and became a fully fledged pharaoh.
The details of her rise to power are not entirely clear. Initially, she used traditional titles and was depicted alongside the young pharaoh. However, around the seventh year of Tuthmosis’s reign, she began to be depicted as the King of Egypt, with all the associated titles and regalia.
Hatshepsut took steps to gain the approval of the people, establishing her divine legacy as the daughter of Tuthmosis I and claiming it was his will for her to rule. She gained the support of high officials, including Senenmut, who achieved great status during her reign.
**The Reign of the Pharaoh**
Hatshepsut’s motivations for her power grab are debated. While some historians believe it was purely ambition, others suggest she acted during a political crisis to protect herself and Tuthmosis III from potential threats. Regardless of her motivations, her reign is described as a period of prosperity for Egypt, marked by trade and construction.
She re-established trade with a land known as Punt, bringing back valuable goods. Hatshepsut was also a prolific builder, erecting monuments at the Temple of Karnak and her mortuary temple, Djeser-Djeseru, which showcased her achievements.
**Where Is Hatshepsut’s Mummy?**
Hatshepsut died in 1458 BC and was buried in a royal tomb known as KV20. Her tomb was discovered and excavated over the years, but her remains were not found. Archaeologists have speculated about her mummy’s identity, with some suggesting that a mummy found in KV60 might be hers. Recent forensic studies have provided evidence supporting this theory, although skepticism remains among some scholars.
**Death & Disappearance**
If the KV60 mummy is indeed Hatshepsut, it suggests she may have suffered from various health issues, including arthritis and possibly skin cancer. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance from the historical record remain unclear, but many scholars believe her stepson, Tuthmosis III, may have played a role in her erasure from history.
Despite attempts to remove her from the record, many artifacts bearing her name and image survived. Archaeological efforts in the 19th and 20th centuries helped restore Hatshepsut’s legacy, allowing her to reclaim her rightful place as one of the greatest pharaohs in history.
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This version maintains the informative nature of the original transcript while ensuring it is appropriate for all audiences.
Hatshepsut – Hatshepsut was a female pharaoh of ancient Egypt who expanded trade and built impressive monuments during her reign. – Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahri is one of the most famous architectural achievements of ancient Egypt.
Pharaoh – A pharaoh was a ruler in ancient Egypt, considered a god on earth and the political and religious leader of the people. – The pharaoh wore a crown that symbolized his power over all of Egypt.
Dynasty – A dynasty is a series of rulers from the same family or lineage who maintain power over a period of time. – The Ming Dynasty in China is known for its cultural achievements and strong central government.
Reign – Reign refers to the period during which a sovereign rules over a kingdom or empire. – Queen Elizabeth I’s reign was marked by the flourishing of English drama and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
Trade – Trade is the exchange of goods and services between people or entities, often across regions or countries. – The Silk Road was an ancient trade route that connected the East and West, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas.
Artifacts – Artifacts are objects made or used by humans, typically of historical or cultural interest. – Archaeologists discovered pottery artifacts that provided insight into the daily lives of ancient civilizations.
Archaeology – Archaeology is the scientific study of human history and prehistory through the excavation and analysis of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains. – Through archaeology, we have learned much about the ancient city of Pompeii, preserved under volcanic ash.
Tomb – A tomb is a structure or chamber used as a burial place for the dead, often containing artifacts and inscriptions. – The discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 provided a wealth of information about ancient Egyptian burial practices.
History – History is the study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often recorded in written documents and artifacts. – By studying history, we can understand the successes and failures of past societies and learn from them.
Ancient – Ancient refers to something belonging to the very distant past, often before the end of the Western Roman Empire in AD 476. – The ancient ruins of the city of Troy have fascinated historians and archaeologists for centuries.
