Hatshepsut Analysis Essay Example

was unprecedented since Thuthmosis the 3rd was not her son.

At the beginning of her regency, Hatshepsut was content with her role and referred to herself as the 'King's great wife and god's wife'. However, after two years as regent, she started to assert her right to rule as Pharaoh. This theory was proposed by Scholars like W. C Hayes, who pointed to an inscription describing a religious procession at Luxor Temple that was discovered at Hatshepsut's Red Chapel in Karnak.

According to some scholars such as Tyldesley, Hatshepsut apparently became Pharaoh in year 7 after discovering a pottery seal in Senemut's mother's tomb, which indicated that she was using the throne name 'Maat-ka-re'. Her claim to the throne was surrounded by propaganda, which was used to justify her right to rule. A significant part of this propaganda emphasized her relationship with the god Amun and Thuthmosis the 1st. In ancient Egypt, it was believed that the Pharaoh was the physical son of Amun. Hatshepsut's claim was unusual as it challenged the notion of the first-ever birth of a daughter of Amun.

She shared her belief by telling the story of how the god Amun appeared as Thuthmosis the 1st in front of Queen Ahmose, her mother. He held the Ankh, which is a symbol of life, up to her nose so she could inhale his divine essence and give birth to Hatshepsut. Bes and Taweret, two other gods, assisted in the birth. Afterward, Hatshepsut was given the symbols of a Pharaoh - the Ankh, Threshing flail, and Shepherd's crook - and was promised by the god Anubis to rule over all the people and lands of Egypt.

Found

at Deir El Bahri, this relief depicts Hatshepsut affirming that her father desired her to be Pharaoh. In a cleansing ceremony, she presents herself to the gods and highlights her father's favoritism towards her. Furthermore, she proclaims his intention for her to succeed him on the throne upon his passing. Although propaganda played a pivotal role in facilitating her ascension to Pharaoh, it was not the sole factor influencing her triumph.

Thuthmosis the 3rd was a child when Hatshepsut started her career and unable to contest her. However, she was able to gain the favor of various individuals who helped her assume the throne. Hatshepsut had various reigning titles as Pharaoh, with her main title being Maat-ka-re. Despite speculation of sexism suggesting her career as Pharaoh was peaceful, many historians have found evidence disproving such theories and showcasing her success as a military leader.

During her reign as Pharaoh, Hatshepsut was believed to have participated in four military campaigns. One of these campaigns took place early in her reign. A graffito by her treasurer, Tiy, translates to 'I followed the good god…may she live! I witnessed her defeating the Nubian bowman.' Additionally, there is a depiction of Hatshepsut as a Sphinx, symbolically trampling over Egypt's enemies. This image can be found on the Lower Colonnade at Dier El Bahri.

Furthermore, there is another source that supports the claim of Hatshepsut's successful military triumphs - a scene portrayed at Deir el Bahri. This particular scene showcases what Hatshepsut perceives as one of her most notable military accomplishments, specifically her conquest over the Puntites. The purpose behind this expedition was to procure valuable resources like myrrh and frankincense trees, therefore

establishing trade routes to acquire said resources in order to pay tribute to the god Amun. By doing so, Hatshepsut not only solidified her legitimacy as a ruler but also demonstrated her prowess as both a religious leader and a triumphant warrior.

Being Pharaoh, she successfully established multiple trade routes and conducted trading missions to neighboring countries, including Punt, Lebanon, Nubia, and Sinai. Evidence from Thutiy's tomb biography, as well as inscriptions at Wadi Maghera and Serabit el Khadim, confirms this information. These trade routes significantly benefited the Egyptian empire by bolstering its economy and providing access to a wide range of resources that could be imported from these lands.

During Hatshepsut’s reign, she aimed to repair and build new structures, as many monuments suffered damage or neglect during the Hyksos occupation. Among the damaged and destroyed buildings are the temple of Hathor, Uni, She, and a necropolis in western Thebes. One of Hatshepsut’s most renowned constructions is her temple called 'Deir el Bahri'. There were multiple reasons behind the construction of this temple. Firstly, her tomb was located separately from the Valley of the Kings. Additionally, it was believed that she intended to connect the temple and the tomb through other temples.

It is possible that she also perceived it as a place where ancient Egyptians could worship her without disturbing her tomb. Historians have discovered evidence suggesting that the temple was constructed to honor her father, Thuthmosis the 1st, as well as the deities Amun, Hathor, Anubis, and Re-Horakthe. However, the temple also became a collection of all the propaganda she had disseminated, thereby transforming it into a justification of her reign and her seizure of

the throne. This hypothesis is supported by the various works and inscriptions found within the temple.

Tyldesley agrees that Deir el Bahri is one of Hatshepsut’s main accomplishments and states that it is still considered one of the most beautiful buildings worldwide. The architecture of the building is impressive and beautiful. Features like an avenue lined with sphinxes leading to the forecourt make it a remarkable achievement. Hatshepsut would have exerted a significant influence over the people of Egypt. She was not only the first female Pharaoh, which helped overcome sexism to some extent, but she also boosted the confidence of the Egyptian people through successful military expeditions.

Military expeditions, such as the one conducted on Punt, not only provided new trade routes and access to resources for the ancient Egyptians, but also strengthened their economy and contributed to prosperity. Additionally, she served as a highly influential religious leader, overseeing the construction and restoration of various temples to foster religious unity and bolster the followers of Amun. Hatshepsut's legacy as a female Pharaoh is seen in the numerous monuments she built, including the renowned temple Deir el Bahri, which has been hailed by modern historians like Tyldesley as one of the world's most beautiful buildings.

Her achievements during her reign as a Pharaoh can be debated as highly successful. As a religious leader, she effectively rebuilt and created new temples, while also strengthening the faith in Amun. She proved to be a skilled military strategist, successfully undertaking campaigns against neighboring nations, such as the renowned expedition to Punt.

Despite varying interpretations, Hatshepsut, through her military conquests and establishment of trade routes, managed to strengthen the economy and ensure the

future prosperity of Ancient Egypt. Some modern historians, like Tyldesley, believe that she left behind a legacy as a great Pharaoh, who was well-liked by the general public and had a good relationship with Thuthmosis the 3rd.

Historians debate the unpopularity of Hatshepsut as a female Pharaoh, attributing it to the unconventional nature of a woman holding the highest position of power. The ancient cultures exhibited considerable sexism and conservatism, which is evident in the resistance faced by Akhenaton when he attempted to alter Egypt's religion by abolishing the worship of major deities in favor of Aten. This plan faced social rejection and caused the displacement of numerous religious figures and pilgrims.

Another argument is that many of Hatshepsut's monuments and statues were defiled, with many attributing this to Thuthmosis the 3rd. However, it can also be argued that the defilement was not driven by hatred but rather because Hatshepsut was too successful. As mentioned before, ancient cultures tended to value conservatism and were resistant to change.

Hatshepsut's exceptional construction of numerous magnificent monuments and statues may have had a significant impact on the Egyptian mindset, potentially influencing the younger generation who visited these impressive structures to embrace feminist ideas. On the other hand, defiling these monuments and statues could discourage such thinking. Regarding Thuthmosis III's alleged animosity towards Queen Hatshepsut, some historians argue that he actually held admiration for her.

Historians believe that Thuthmosis the 3rd gained valuable education from Hatshepsut replacing him on the throne. This is evident through his widespread respect as one of Egypt's esteemed Pharaohs. Additionally, people living during Hatshepsut's reign likely supported her rule and valued her legacy. Despite being a female

ruler, she effectively commanded military campaigns and played a role in Egypt's prosperity.

If Hatshepsut had not been accepted by the ancient Egyptians and her rule disapproved of, she would not have been able to govern for around twenty-two years. From my perspective, Hatshepsut was an extraordinary pharaoh and Egypt flourished under her leadership. The widely acknowledged belief that she ruled for twenty-two years presents a compelling argument supporting her success as a pharaoh. If the general public and those in power had rejected her rule or if she had been ineffective, leading to poverty and corruption, she would not have governed for such an extended period or acquired the necessary resources to restore or build new monuments, statues, and temples.

Bibliography

http://hatshepsut.bediz.com/story.html
http://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/hatshepsut.html