Via History of Yesterday
We hear names of certain pharaohs all the time, though we still don’t know much about them as figures in our history. Sometimes, this lack of knowledge is due to the fact that there are many unconfirmed theories written by historians or Egyptologists.
Today, we felt the need to change this by honouring (and discussing) one of the most powerful rulers ever to rule Ancient Egypt, Hatshepsut. So we gathered together some facts, but before we begin, let’s just say that Hatshepsut’s life was certainly not conventional!
Why does Hatshepsut have such a unique place in history?
The answer is simple: Hatshepsut was the first female Pharoah in Ancient Egypt. But she wasn’t just the nation’s first female ruler; she was also one of the most remembered leaders of our ancient civilization.
via Give Me History
Like most cultures at the time, a female leader was not the go-to choice for a ruler. But when Hatshepsut’s husband, Thutmose II, died, she was faced with a dire choice: Hand the country’s fate to her step-son, who would become the Pharoah due to his lineage, or take matters into her own hands. Her choice was evident, and she would go on to achieve great things.
Why was she considered a cold-hearted mother?
She banished her step-son to the country now known as Syria, leaving no choice for Egypt’s high-ranking monks but to accept her as their ruler. Needless to say, her ruthless decision paid off. Hatshepsut is considered by historians to be one of the most successful Pharaohs of all time. Her acumen for diplomacy and her highly efficient economic decisions put her on a historical pedestal among the greatest rulers of our beloved Egypt. Hers was undoubtedly a tragic yet successful story.
How was she honoured?
Hatshepsut is the only female Pharaoh with a temple in her name in Luxor, the capital of Ancient Egypt at the time. She requested it be built to honour her legacy and to pave the way for other fearless female rulers after her. From then on, women of Ancient Egypt were not known just for their beauty, but also for their potential.
Via Wikipedia
What happened after her death?
After Hatshepsut’s death, her step-son Thutmose III came home to be crowned as the natural successor of his stepmother. Filled with understandable rage at being exiled for so many years, Thutmose III was determined to tarnish and erase as much of Hatshepsut’s legacy as he could so she would never be remembered, which obviously didn’t work. However, it did cost the nation many structures (including status, scriptures, and monuments) built in the female Pharoah’s honour. So if you think you have issues with your parents, think again!
What can we see in her temples?
If you visit the Temple of Hatshepsut or Karnak temple, you will be able to see Thutmose III’s hatred manifested in tarnished writings on the walls and erased faces of what looked like his stepmother. He even ordered a brick wall to be built around her humongous statue in Karnak Temple so people couldn’t see it or pay their respects to it. However, the passing of time has seen the removal of most of these brick walls, which means that visitors can now see Hatshepsut’s statues clearly—a testament to her impressive yet controversial legacy.
