Hatshepsut

One of the most famous pharaohs was actually a woman! She was not the only woman ruler in Egypt but one of the most popular next to Cleopatra. Her name was Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut ruled for about 20 years as pharaoh. It is suspected that she was killed by Thutmose III, her son, so he could take his rightful place as pharaoh.

Hatshepsut was the daughter of Thutmose (also known as Tuthmosis) and Queen Ahmose Nefertari. At a young age she married her half brother Thutmose II who was even younger than her. Soon after that Thutmose II died leaving behind Hatshepsut a son, Thutmose III, and a daughter, Neferure. Scholars say that Hatshepsut was trying to prepare her daughter Neferure to become the next pharaoh. The reason they say this is because portraits of her daughter have been found of her wearing false beards and sidelocks of male youth. After Thutmose II died the next in line for pharaoh was Thutmose III. Since he was so young Hatshepsut was appointed as his regent. They ruled together for a few years then Hatshepsut crowned herself as pharaoh.

Hatshepsut ruled for about 20 years. During that 20 years Egypt flourished. She expanded trading and built magnificent temples while also restoring others. Eventually Thutmose III became a man and wanted what was rightfully his. It is said he might have even poisoned her. When he became King he had all of Hatshepsut’s names cut out of the wall and all her pictures destroyed in every temple. He wanted her completely forgotten because it was an embarrassment to Egypt having a woman as pharaoh.

Hatshepsut’s remains were thought to be lost but in June 2007 a tomb was found that was identified by her molar tooth. The tooth is an exact match to another tooth they found in a box with Hatshepsut’s name on it. Even though scientist think Hatshepsut was murdered they say if she was not she would not have lived much longer. They say that there are signs of metastatic bone cancer, liver cancer, and diabetes in her mummy.

Hatshepsut proved during her lifetime that a woman was able to succeed as pharaoh, as well as a good ruler during Egypt's 18th dynasty. She achieved much including expanding territory, broadening trade, building and restoring temples, and holding stable order in Egypt. Although there were many men who reigned before and many after, Hatshepsut proved to be an equal among them then, golden beard or not. Even though her legacy was almost completely erased, today’s society is able to see what the benefits of a good women with political and social power could be.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatshepsut
http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/hatshepsut.html
http://www.egyptologyonline.com/hatshepsut.htm
http://www.bediz.com/hatshep/story.html