ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions What Happened to Ancient Egypt after Hatshepsut Stole the Throne
The 18th Dynasty of Egypt was a time of great wealth and success for the ancient civilization. This period saw the rise of famous pharaohs and the expansion of the Egyptian Empire. It was truly a golden age for Egypt. However, there is a fascinating part of this dynasty’s history that was almost forgotten.
Between the reigns of Thutmose II and Thutmose III, there was another pharaoh whose story was nearly erased from history. Let’s dive into what happened in ancient Egypt after the early death of Thutmose II.
In ancient Egypt, the throne was usually passed from father to son. However, Thutmose I’s only surviving child was his daughter, Hatshepsut. When Thutmose I was expanding his empire, he made Hatshepsut his co-ruler. She claimed that her father had chosen her as his successor, but it was rare for a woman to become pharaoh.
During this time, only a few women ruled as pharaohs. Thutmose II, the son of a lesser wife of Thutmose I, became pharaoh after his father’s death. He married his half-sister Hatshepsut, making her queen at around 12 years old. This marriage likely aimed to strengthen the royal family line.
Thutmose II’s reign was short but important. He managed to stop rebellions in Nubia and the Levant, although these battles were led by his generals since he was young. Many believe that Hatshepsut was the true power during his rule. Historians describe Thutmose II as weak, suggesting that Hatshepsut had a significant influence.
Despite her influence, Hatshepsut did not have a son. After Thutmose II’s death, the throne went to Thutmose III, who was just a baby. Monuments from this time show Thutmose III as a child but depict him as an adult king, while Hatshepsut is shown standing quietly beside him. In reality, Hatshepsut continued to rule as regent queen for three years before declaring herself pharaoh.
Hatshepsut’s transition to pharaoh was smooth, as she still considered Thutmose III her co-ruler. She took on a full throne name, meaning “foremost of noble women,” and began to be depicted as a male king. By the seventh year of her rule, she appeared with male attributes, including a false beard. Although she was shown as a male king, her titles acknowledged her female status.
Experts believe Hatshepsut wanted to elevate her status to that of a god-like figure, like her ancestors. Some think a political crisis may have forced her to adopt a masculine image to strengthen her claim to the throne. Interestingly, despite the rivalry, Thutmose III was not harmed by Hatshepsut and was learning to be a skilled soldier.
As Thutmose III grew up, Hatshepsut settled into her role as pharaoh and asked him to lead the armies. In 1457 BC, Thutmose III led his armies to stop a rebellion, possibly with Hatshepsut’s approval. After this, her name vanished from historical records. It is believed that Thutmose III backdated his reign to his father’s death, taking credit for Hatshepsut’s achievements.
Hatshepsut’s mummy was found in the Cairo Museum in 2006, showing she died in her 50s from an infection after a tooth extraction. Thutmose III later became a famous pharaoh known for his military victories, but he erased all evidence of Hatshepsut from monuments and records.
The destruction of Hatshepsut’s monuments was an attempt to remove her from history. Recent research suggests this erasure began about 20 years after her death, during Thutmose III’s reign. While many theories exist, modern Egyptologists agree that the effort to erase her rule was likely tied to Thutmose III’s concerns about succession.
Was Hatshepsut a victim of sexism in ancient Egypt? Share your thoughts and continue exploring the intriguing history of Egypt!
Research the key events of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt, focusing on Hatshepsut’s reign. Create a timeline that includes her rise to power, major achievements, and the eventual erasure of her legacy. Use visuals and brief descriptions to make your timeline engaging.
Divide into groups and role-play a debate between supporters of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III. Each group should research and present arguments about their leader’s contributions and legitimacy. This will help you understand different perspectives from that historical period.
Imagine you are an ancient Egyptian architect tasked with designing a monument for Hatshepsut. Draw your design and explain the symbolism behind your choices. Consider how Hatshepsut wanted to be remembered and how she portrayed herself as a pharaoh.
Write a diary entry from the perspective of a citizen living during Hatshepsut’s reign. Describe your thoughts and feelings about her rule, the changes in leadership, and the erasure of her legacy. This activity will help you empathize with people from that era.
Research other female leaders in history who faced challenges similar to Hatshepsut. Compare their experiences and discuss how they overcame obstacles. Present your findings to the class, highlighting the common themes and unique aspects of each leader’s story.
The 18th Dynasty of Egypt marked the return of native rulers to the throne and the peak of Egyptian wealth and prosperity. From the first expansion of the Egyptian Empire to Thutmose IV’s reign, this dynasty produced some of the most well-known pharaohs and restored Egypt’s significance on the world stage. It was indeed a golden age for Egypt. However, there is a part of this dynasty’s history that they attempted to erase.
Between Thutmose II and Thutmose III, there was another pharaoh whose story was nearly lost to time. Welcome to Nutty History! Today, let’s explore what happened in ancient Egypt after the untimely death of Thutmose II.
Traditionally, the pharaonic line in ancient Egypt passed from father to son, preferably the son of the great queen. However, only one of Thutmose I’s children, Hatshepsut, survived to adulthood. When Thutmose I was expanding his empire in Nubia and Syria, he made Hatshepsut his co-ruler. She claimed that Thutmose I had named her as his successor before his death, but a woman becoming pharaoh was highly unusual in ancient Egypt.
During the dynastic period (3000-332 BC), only a handful of women ruled as pharaohs, rather than wielding power as the great wife of a male king. Thutmose II was the son of a secondary wife of Thutmose I and was crowned pharaoh after Thutmose I died from an arrow wound. Young Thutmose II was married to his half-sister Hatshepsut, making her queen of Egypt at about age 12. This marriage likely aimed to bolster the royal bloodline.
Thutmose II’s reign was short but notable; he successfully put down rebellions in Nubia and the Levant. However, these campaigns were carried out by his generals, as he was a minor for most of his ruling term. Archaeologists believe Hatshepsut was the real power behind the throne during Thutmose II’s rule. Historians have described Thutmose II as frail and ineffectual, suggesting that Hatshepsut could have influenced him.
Despite her significant role, Hatshepsut failed to produce a son. Following Thutmose II’s death, the throne went to Thutmose III, who was still an infant. Monuments from this time depict Thutmose III as a child but portray him as an adult king performing his duties, while Hatshepsut is shown standing demurely to the side. In reality, Hatshepsut continued her responsibilities as regent queen for three years before declaring herself pharaoh.
This transition was not an upset, as she still considered Thutmose III her co-ruler. Hatshepsut took on a full throne name, meaning “foremost of noble women,” and began to be depicted as a male king. By the seventh year of her regency, she appeared as a king with male attributes, including a false beard. Although she was depicted as a male king, her titles acknowledged her female status.
Egyptologists suggest that Hatshepsut’s actions were an attempt to elevate her status to that of a god-like figure, similar to her ancestors. However, some experts believe a political crisis may have compelled her to adopt a masculine image to strengthen her claim to the throne. Interestingly, despite the rivalry for the throne, Thutmose III was not persecuted by Hatshepsut and was learning to be a proficient soldier.
As Thutmose III came of age, Hatshepsut had settled into her role as pharaoh and asked him to take command of the armies. In 1457 BC, Thutmose III led his armies to quell a rebellion, possibly commissioned by Hatshepsut. Afterward, her name disappeared from historical records. It is believed that Thutmose III backdated his reign to his father’s death, attributing Hatshepsut’s accomplishments to himself.
Hatshepsut’s mummy was discovered in the Cairo Museum in 2006, revealing she died in her 50s from an abscess following a tooth extraction. Thutmose III later became a renowned pharaoh known for his military victories, but he had all evidence of Hatshepsut erased from monuments and records.
The destruction of Hatshepsut’s monuments has long been recognized as an attempt to obliterate her name from history. Recent research suggests this erasure began about 20 years after her death, during Thutmose III’s reign. While many theories exist, contemporary Egyptologists agree that the effort to erase Hatshepsut’s rule was likely tied to Thutmose III’s concerns about succession.
Was Hatshepsut a victim of inherent sexism in the ancient Egyptian system? Share your thoughts in the comments, and as always, thanks for watching Nutty History!
Ancient – Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence – Ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt laid the foundations for modern society.
Egypt – A country in northeastern Africa known for its rich history and monumental architecture – Egypt is famous for its pyramids and the Great Sphinx, which attract millions of tourists each year.
Hatshepsut – The fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, known for her prosperous reign and extensive building projects – Hatshepsut was one of the few female pharaohs and is remembered for her successful trade expeditions and monumental constructions.
Pharaoh – A ruler in ancient Egypt, considered a god in human form – The pharaoh was responsible for maintaining order and harmony in the kingdom, often depicted as a divine figure.
Thutmose – A name shared by several pharaohs of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, known for military conquests and building projects – Thutmose III expanded Egypt’s empire to its greatest extent through numerous military campaigns.
Reign – The period during which a sovereign rules – The reign of Queen Elizabeth I is often referred to as the Elizabethan Era, known for its cultural achievements.
Empire – An extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority – The Roman Empire was one of the largest empires in history, influencing many aspects of modern Western culture.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs – History helps us understand how past societies, systems, ideologies, governments, cultures, and technologies were built, how they operated, and how they have changed.
Women – Adult human females, often discussed in history for their roles and contributions to society – Throughout history, women have played crucial roles in shaping societies, despite often facing significant challenges and restrictions.
Legacy – Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to cultural or historical impact – The legacy of the ancient Greeks includes significant contributions to philosophy, science, and the arts.
