About 3,500 years ago in ancient Egypt, a remarkable pharaoh faced an unusual attack. This wasn’t a physical attack, but an attempt to erase her from history. Statues were vandalized, and her name was scratched out. This act is known as damnatio memoriae, or the damnation of memory.
The pharaoh in question was Hatshepsut, a woman who became pharaoh in a time when it was rare for women to hold such power. Although it was legally possible for a woman to be pharaoh, it went against some deep-rooted Egyptian beliefs. The pharaoh was seen as the living form of the male god Horus, and having a female pharaoh challenged the concept of Maat, which represented truth, order, and justice in Egyptian society.
To align herself with these beliefs, Hatshepsut took on titles that connected her to Maat. She even adopted the name Maatkare and sometimes used masculine titles. Despite her efforts, not everyone was convinced. Some might have wanted to erase her from history to restore the traditional male rule and balance to Maat.
Hatshepsut wasn’t the rightful heir to the throne. She became a regent, ruling on behalf of her stepson, Thutmose III, who was too young to rule when his father, Thutmose II, died. As the chief wife and widow of Thutmose II, Hatshepsut initially ruled alongside her stepson but eventually took on the full role of pharaoh.
Some theories suggest that Thutmose III might have been unhappy with Hatshepsut’s rule, leading to the attempt to erase her memory. However, the evidence shows that Hatshepsut was a successful ruler. She fulfilled her duties, was a great builder, and her mortuary temple, Djeser-Djeseru, is still admired today. She boosted Egypt’s economy through trade, had strong religious connections, and even led military campaigns in Nubia.
Most of what we know about Hatshepsut comes from her own records, found in her mortuary temple and the red chapel she built for Amun. The mystery remains: who tried to erase her memory? Thutmose III is often suspected, but the damage happened 20 years after her death, suggesting it wasn’t out of anger. It might have been an attempt to restore traditional beliefs about gender and power.
Despite the efforts to erase her, enough evidence has survived to tell Hatshepsut’s story. Today, we can appreciate the legacy of this extraordinary and powerful woman who defied the norms of her time.
Research the key events in Hatshepsut’s life and create a timeline. Include her rise to power, major achievements, and the attempt to erase her memory. Use visuals and brief descriptions to make your timeline engaging.
Divide into groups and role-play a debate between supporters of Hatshepsut and those who opposed her rule. Use historical evidence to support your arguments and explore the reasons behind the attempt to erase her from history.
Imagine you are an ancient Egyptian architect tasked with designing a monument for Hatshepsut. Create a drawing or model of your monument, considering how it would reflect her achievements and legacy.
Conduct a research project on the concept of Maat in ancient Egyptian society. Present your findings on how Hatshepsut’s rule challenged or aligned with these beliefs, and discuss the significance of Maat in her reign.
Write a short historical fiction story from the perspective of someone living during Hatshepsut’s reign. Include details about daily life, the political climate, and how people might have reacted to her rule and the attempt to erase her memory.
Three and a half thousand years ago in Egypt, a noble pharaoh was the victim of a significant historical attack. This royal had been deceased for 20 years, and the attack was not physical but rather an act of damnatio memoriae, or the damnation of memory. Someone vandalized the pharaoh’s statues and attempted to erase their name and image from history.
The pharaoh in question was Hatshepsut, a woman who, under normal circumstances, would not have been pharaoh. Although it was legally permissible for a woman to hold the position, it challenged some fundamental Egyptian beliefs. The pharaoh was seen as the living embodiment of the male god Horus, and any disruption to the tradition of male rule posed a serious challenge to Maat, a concept representing truth, order, and justice that was vital to Egyptian society.
Hatshepsut may have tried to align herself with these beliefs by adopting titles that reflected a connection to Maat. She took the name Maatkare and sometimes referred to herself with a masculine ending. However, these efforts did not seem to convince everyone, and it is possible that someone sought to erase her images to restore balance to Maat and Egyptian tradition.
Additionally, Hatshepsut was not the legitimate heir to the throne but rather a regent, stepping in as a co-monarch for her stepson, Thutmose III, who was a child when his father, Thutmose II, passed away. Hatshepsut, as the chief wife and widow of Thutmose II, initially ruled alongside her stepson but eventually took on the full role of pharaoh.
There are theories that Thutmose III may have been upset about this arrangement, potentially leading to the erasure of her images. However, evidence suggests that Hatshepsut was an effective ruler. She fulfilled the traditional roles of her office, was a remarkable builder, and her mortuary temple, Djeser-Djeseru, remains an architectural marvel. She also enhanced Egypt’s economy through successful trade missions and had strong religious ties, claiming to be the daughter of the state god, Amun. Furthermore, she had a notable military career, including a campaign in Nubia.
While most of the evidence regarding Hatshepsut’s reign comes from her own accounts, which are depicted in her mortuary temple and the red chapel she built for Amun, the question remains: who was responsible for the crimes against her memory? The most common suspect is Thutmose III. However, it is unlikely he acted out of anger, as the damage occurred 20 years after Hatshepsut’s death. It is more plausible that he or someone else sought to erase her legacy to eliminate the threat her reign posed to traditional beliefs about gender and power.
Fortunately, the ancient efforts to censor Hatshepsut’s memory were not entirely successful. Enough evidence has survived for us to reconstruct her story, allowing us to recognize the legacy of this unique and powerful woman.
Pharaoh – A title used for the ancient Egyptian kings who were considered both political and religious leaders. – The pharaoh was responsible for maintaining order and harmony in ancient Egypt.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – In history class, we learned about the causes and effects of the French Revolution.
Maat – An ancient Egyptian concept representing truth, balance, order, and justice. – The pharaoh was expected to uphold maat to ensure the prosperity of the kingdom.
Memory – The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information, often used to understand past events. – Oral traditions play a crucial role in preserving the memory of historical events in many cultures.
Power – The ability or capacity to influence or control the behavior of people or the course of events. – The king’s power was challenged by the growing influence of the nobility.
Gender – The social and cultural roles, behaviors, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men and women. – Gender roles in ancient societies often dictated the types of work men and women could do.
Egypt – A country in northeastern Africa, home to one of the world’s earliest and most influential civilizations. – Ancient Egypt is renowned for its pyramids and rich cultural heritage.
Ruler – A person who governs or leads a country or region. – Queen Elizabeth I was a powerful ruler who led England during a time of great change.
Legacy – Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to cultural or historical achievements. – The legacy of the Roman Empire can still be seen in modern legal systems and architecture.
Trade – The action of buying, selling, or exchanging goods and services between people or countries. – The Silk Road was an ancient trade route that connected the East and West, facilitating cultural exchange.
