Hatshepsut: A Phenomenon Of Ancient Time

 A female acting like a man? Whom could this mysterious person be? Are they trying to escape something deadly? No, it is just a Yoda of the past! Don’t need to be scared. This person was Egypt’s one and only of its kind, Hatshepsut. She had a regular lifestyle in the royal lane. With many commendable masterpieces, even Albert Einstein would be proud of. Though she had a tough time during her reign and genuinely a compelling deceased. She was entirely a work of art that “Amen-Re” created, even with the destruction, she managed to continue her legacy from then on out. Clearly she was a pharaoh that had tremendous importance.

Hatshepsut’s early life was normal growing up in a royal family. She was the child of Thutmose I and Ahmose. She could have been born as early as 1490 B.C, possibly in the city of Thebes on the eastern edge of the Nile River. Before her, Nefrubiti was born but sadly died before the age of five. So she did not end up having an older sister. Thutmose I most likely had sons, but also didn’t survive past their teenage years. Though the three have sometimes been mentioned in records. One of Thutmose’s sons did survive. Child of Mutnofret named Thutmose II. Hatshepsut stayed in a harem nursery with other families. She played with other children, having “fun-filled days” until she was about four years old. Not only children were there were other female members of the royal family. Residents furthermore included wives of noblemen working with the pharaoh. Along with them earlier nurses, and other female workers of staff. Hatshepsut’s education was almost certain. Around the age of four, education started. Children were taught by the “Teacher of Royal Children”. Although school was for boys, girls of a high class could probably go too. Hatshepsut was predicted to get the best possible education while growing up in a royal palace. Throughout Hatshepsut’s childhood, it was normal for someone of high status to live like that.

Hatshepsut had many admirable accomplishments done. Of all her projects the greatest was the mortuary temple at Deir el Bahri. Four large obelisks at Karnak. Gigantic blocks of granite were taken and carved. They were then transported, to be erected in the Karnak temple complex. The first pair of massive granite objects were finished early during the reign, dedicated to Thutmose II. The second pair was more stunning than the first. Carved from quarry granite during her 16th year as pharaoh the immense objects were finished in a whopping seven months. Another project was a monumental gateway at Karnak. The monumental gateway was probably the main entrance and otherwise known as “eighth pylon”. This was a “newer” built structure, in which she recorded or documented her restoration of temples. Hatshepsut didn’t only have monumental achievements. Besides that, she additionally traveled multiple times out of Egypt, later influencing others. Her grandest and most memorable trip was to Punt. She adventured to that land with the mission of exploration and trade. This was difficult, passing scorching hot desert sands and even finding Punt itself! They had to launch at the very minimum five Phoenician style ships to find Punt. They successfully arrived, having smooth trade among them. Rich items such as panthers and cheetahs were brought back. Her greatest treasures were her incense trees, planted at her mortuary temple. Hatshepsut was very special, and had become Egypt’s first female Pharaoh. Leading at least 20 years during the early New Kingdom. All pharaohs in Egypt before her had been male. So Egyptologists were surprised when they found out she wasn’t male. She had broken tradition by even calling herself pharaoh. As a result, she had to do many tasks a normal pharaoh wouldn’t. Hatshepsut was not a typical pharaoh, having so many grand achievements.

Although she may have many astounding achievements, Hatshepsut still faced many problems along the way. Since she had been the first female pharaoh and broken tradition she had some things to do to prove she was worthy of being pharaoh. She had absolutely no possible surviving chance of ruling without having a divine birth. Plus there were no other male family members to help protect her and her young nephew stepson. So she wanted to show she was valid of being king, to keep the family bloodline going. Hatshpsut’s birth started when Amen-Re announced a group of lesser gods, saying he would “father a child of all lands and countries”. Taking the form of her dad, later declaring she was destined to be king. Images of Hatshepsut shifted as so did her role in society. Her body had changed too. Before she appears girlish and rounded. As a pharaoh, she seems more powerful. Her body may not have changed much, but she did this to portray her role. She even adopted titles to suit her. She had used all the titles of a pharaoh except for one, “Mighty Bull”. Since she was a pharaoh and was supposed to have a wife. She had her daughter, Neferure, fulfill the appropriate woman to perform rituals, while still not having a real “wife” though. Hatshepsut did all of these things to ensure not be questioned for her rightfulness as a king. Showing that even though she was female, she still had the skills and power to be respected as “male king”.

Removing Hatshepsut from history was quite interesting. Before passing away around 1498 B.C, she worried about her future. With that, she carved prayers about these concerns on an obelisk. She prayed that “her name might remain enduring in this temple forever and ever.” Her tomb was unlike any other. First of all, she didn’t have her tomb near any other royals except her father. Which is unusual since royals go near royals. Another reason why her tomb was unique was that there was a stairway at the entrance leading to a long corridor that ended in a single room. She had many burial chambers too. Must have been for other family members. Hatshepsut was an amazing pharaoh, with extraordinary achievements, beyond anybody’s belief, even today. Everything she had done had a purpose and was such a standout pharaoh compared to others. From her incredible accomplishments down to her tomb she was truly a supreme and noteworthy pharaoh.

Everything she did was grand and spectacular. Despite her efforts, some people went against her for selfish purposes. Egyptologists have concluded that it was mainly Thutmose III trying to wipe her out. With the worry of his son, Amenhotep II possibly not inheriting the throne. Or throwing out the chance of other female leaders to be in charge in the future. This caused an enormous destruction of huge temple sphinxes, statues, monuments, along with many other works assembled in Hatshepsut’s name to be destroyed. Thutmose III’s relationship had been strange to Hatshepsut with no backup found supporting any feud between the two of them. He had done the destruction 20 years after her death. Possibly because he accepted his position below her. Hatshepsut extremely was remarkable and influential. While almost forgotten, rulers of Upper and Lower Egypt still live on.

Hatshepsut was a significant lord all-around and seemed to be a phenomenon of ancient times. Having an absolutely majestic standard regal life. Growing up producing exemplary creations, regardless of having to endure vigorous occasions across the course of her command. Alongside with a frankly captivating passing. As for continually being a sensational controller of the time. Disregarding all the ablation, she was capable to continue her heritage till now. Overall, Hatshepsut changed our perspective of what was expected of a “king”. Deserving appreciation because without this heroic and gallant woman, we would not have the world be where we are today.