Hatshesput: The Ruler After Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut was an effective religious leader. She credited her place to Amun through her Heavenly Birth. She followed the god’s command by acquiring an expedition to Punt and gave gifts to the gods; she gave praise to Amun for her military victories and triumphs. Hatshepsut also kept religious festivals and contributed numerous respect and influence to the Amun priesthood. Hatshepsut made sure Egypt was safe after her death. There is no surprise that Thutmose III became one of the supreme pharaohs of the New Kingdom given the leadership and opportunities afforded to him through his co-regency with Hatshepsut. In truth, judging from the attack on her monuments, Hatshepsut was perhaps a little too good in concerns of being a pharaoh.

Hatshepsut, daughter of King Thutmose I and the pharaoh of Egypt, is a controversial figure who instigated diverse interpretations from historians over the years. As the longest reigning female pharaoh in Egypt who had ruled over twenty years in the 14th century B.C., Hatshepsut contributed greatly in her building program and had ensured the economic prosperity of Egypt during her reign after the death of her husband, Thomose II. Despite her achievements, Hatshepsut still remains to be a questionable personality to historians, evident in both ancient and modern interpretation of her in relation to her royal image and her involvement in foreign campaigns.

Queen Hatshepsut influenced Egypt in many great ways in which made the nation prosper. She married her half-brother, Tutmose II, and upon his death, his young son Tutmose III, ruled Egypt alongside Hatshepsut. Queen Hatshepsut “in a bold move… seized the throne for herself and gained the backing of

Hatshepsut’s reign as pharaoh strongly emphasised her close relationship and devotion to the god Amun. According to Lawless, Hatshepsut did more than any other Pharaoh to raise the status of Amun beyond all other gods. She achieved this by emphasising her filial relationship with the god, most evident in the divine birth scene in her mortuary temple at Deir El Bahri and through the Oracle, which was later inscribed on the walls of the Red Chapel at Karnak. These pieces of evidence are vital in explaining Hatshepsut’s devotion to Amun. However, the relationship between Hatshepsut and Amun was a reciprocal arrangement as through the glorification of her father she promoted the priesthood and rewarded them for their support towards her legitimacy which led to their growth in wealth and political power during her reign.

Archaeological images that convey Hatshepsut and Thutmose III effectively co-ruling and delegating Pharaonic responsibilities are indicative of their mutually supportive relationship. Hatshepsut acted as a co-regent to her stepson/nephew for at least fifteen years, and it is believed that they shared a peaceful and harmonious relationship. Thutmose III’s mother was of an unacceptably low status, hence allowing him to become a young King under the supervision of his stepmother, Queen Hatshepsut. The Kings eventually shared administrative, religious and military responsibilities, demonstrating that their relationship was cooperative and interdependent. Hence, the desecration and concealment of Hatshepsut’s building activities is not indicative

In “Hatshepsut: His Majesty Herself”, by Catherine M. Andronik, she informs the reader about Hatshepsut and her role as an effective female pharaoh in Ancient Egypt. A supporting detail of her effective rule is in paragraph 8, when the text states, “what Egypt needed was a regent, an adult who could take control of the country.” This shows that Hatshepsut had practice as a regent before becoming a pharaoh. Another supporting detail that shows that Hatshepsut had practice before her reign.”she was fit for the job, Hatshepsut, perhaps just fifteen years old, had been training for since her earliest days by her father’s side.” says paragraph 9. This shows that Hatshepsut would be an excellent regent, since she had been trained by an accomplished pharaoh, Tuthmosis I.

Hatshepsut was the third female pharaoh in egyptian history, and she was considered to be the greatest female pharaoh ever. If she was the best, why was she erased from history? Why was she a pharaoh? Why did she die? This is her story.

“Behind every great man there’s a great women.” This quote by Meryll Frost was first used in 1946 during his acceptance speech for the most courageous athlete of 1945. He gave credit to his wife and noted that he would not have received the award without her help. To this quote could have also been used to describe Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams. She was a courageous woman who stood out to against in justice. Throughout her entire life she stood greatly with courage and was also known for her loyalty for her country and family.

Due to Cleopatra efforts, she made Egypt wealthier and more powerful. Cleopatra was misunderstood, thinking she was an evil temptress, the Romans refused to trust her. They believed she was a bad negative influence on the civilization. Cleopatra is of the ten queens portraits of women of power, Cleopatra is also known the evil woman in history. The evidence that the archeologists have been saying that Cleopatra was a women of powerful achievement. Since the fortune had it that Rome’s imperial regime was born from her defeat, Cleopatra played the role, as a unique as it was involuntary, of link between the Hellenistic and the Roman world. Her relationships with Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony permanently have impacted on Ancient Rome and Egypt. Her being with Caesar and Anthony led to deaths, Cleopatra had been part of Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony deaths. He began to make unwise decisions. Cleopatra was thus heir to a line of determined women who were often the object of sincere devotion on the part of the Egyptian people of inept or discredited. The early Cleopatra’s have not enjoyed the fame of their last ancestor.

Cleopatra and Joan of Arc are two of the most powerful and influential women to ever have lived. Although each one led for their own purposes, and in their own style, the consequences of their actions still have ripples in today’s world. Whether it be because of Cleopatra’s beauty or ruthlessness, or Joan of Arc’s faith and purity both women are considered iconic figures in the global community. Throughout time both Joan of Arc and Cleopatra have been documented as extremely influential characters in history. Cleopatra and Joan of Arc were iconic in different ways, for different reasons but it is undeniable that without them, the world wouldn’t be as it is today.

Catherine the great was an absolute monarch of Russia, she had the highest amount of power in Russia. She rose to the throne as Empress of Russia in 1762, after her husband Peter III was murdered. In her reign, many thought that she was not able to rule the country because she was a female, but she proved her abilities at the throne. Although most absolute monarchs are looked on as 'bad rulers', Catherine the Great initiated many improvements that helped Russia. She modernized Russia, and made it a great European power. She also launched ameliorations in agriculture and learning. Not to mention that she was the longest running female ruler in the history of Russia.

First association with the Egyptian culture for me is related to Sphinx. That’s why first what caught my eyes was Sphinx of Hatshepsut. No, of course, it is not that massive Great Sphinx in Giza, Egypt but his history is also interesting.

In 1479 B.C.E. Thutmose II passed the power of Pharaoh to co-ruler Hatshepsut-his sister/wife-because his son, Thutmose III, was too young. During her reign, she proved she was worthy by becoming one of the “most ambitious builders in Egyptian history” (Cole and Symes 34). However, after ruling for 21 years her legacy was tested. Scholars found defaced statues and portraits of Hatshepsut. Some believed Thutmose III was slighted by Hatshepsut and he defaced her image. Although, through more research they believed Thutmose III’s son, Amenhotep II, had more motivation. Hatshepsut’s image may have been defaced because of lack of knowledge in hieroglyphs, gender roles, and the hope for power.

Hatshepsut was considered to be the first importance woman who ruled long-term over Egypt as a king in ancient Egypt .She belonged to the 18th dynasty of pharaohs.Evenmore remahkably, Hatshepsut achieved her power without bloodshed or social trauma. The name of her meant “the foremost of women”.(Ellen 8 ).Likes her name, she would not only become” the foremost of women” but the foremost of all people in the kingdom for 22 years.

Beowulf is an excellent piece with a lot for the readers to desire and relate to while reading. This analysis explores different escapades while examining the role of women in the literature. One thing to point out is that female characters have always received very thin attention in different pieces of literature, something that has always made many people think that their role is meager. Every piece of literature has an important message to pass across to its intended audiences. Indeed, this study seeks to demystify the male-centric mindset to promote the visibility of women in the contemporary interpretation of literary works demonstrating that women play a greater role in the literature despite the proximity given to male protagonist.