Military, Religious and Political Benefits in Egypt during Hatshepsut Reign
Hatshepsut was the fifth Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty during the New Kingdom. Her reign as Pharaoh lasted 22 years (1479-1457 BCE). Hatshepsut was quite an intelligent woman during her time, using her bloodline and religious aspects to rise into power. Her bloodline consisted only of royals that had ruled Egypt before her, as she was the sister, wife and daughter of a king. Her vast understanding of religion and the traditional values to establish herself as the highest ranking priestess of the Amun cult or God’s Wife of Amun. To transforming her image from a woman, to a man. Although as questionable as some of her actions were, Hatshepsut’s leadership was significant during the New Kingdom as it had bought stability back to Egyptian society. Focusing on ensuring economic prosperity rather than military campaigns.
Being a woman in power in Egypt was rare occurence, although it wasn’t a normality in Egyptian traditions.The title of Pharaoh was predominantly held by males, influencing some of Hatshepsut’s actions during the earlier years of her leadership.
She felt the necessity to downplay her unconventional position by combining male and feminine appearance in her statues and heiroglyphics. Otherwise Hatshepsut would forever be classified as a 'queen' instead of a 'king'. By definition, this meant that she as queen, wouldn't be as divine and immensely inferior to the king. As a male figure, she would be seen as strong, reliable leader that people can rely on without question.
In order to do so, Hatshepsut would in the later years of her rule, totally declared her authority by presenting herself as a male King. The change on the identity of her gender can be seen with the many sculpture and depictions of Hatshepsut’s appearance. Early depictions of Hatshepsut’s appearance, she is shown wearing The Khat headdress while still manifesting her female body, complete with the feminine slim body, and breasts. The headpiece itself holds a great deal of importance and whoever was seen or represented wearing The Khat held a great deal of significance in their social heirarchy. The headdresses value stems from the belief that the Egyptians Gods and Goddesses wore the headdress as they were believed to be the first kings in the time before creation, during what the Egyptians called, the time before creation. Which is why pharaohs are always depicted wearing the headdress as they were viewed by the common citizens as their god’s chosen people. The usage of the headdress in Hatshepsut’s case was to demonstrate herself as being in a position of power, and the first step from her transition to a male appearance. Although there are many variations to the headdesses shown all throughout Egyptian history, even a specific crown made just for the queen, or God’s Wife. However, ‘The Khat’ was one of the many names attributed to the headdress be specifically worn by the pharaoh. And Hatshepsut can be seen wearing it. This would signify Hatshepsut’s gradual transformation from a feminine to masculine appearance.
As a male figure, she would be seen as capable as the pharaohs before her. Hatshepsut decided to embody herself with a more strong and robust appearance. Complete with the traditional garbs such as the Shendyt Kilt and the false beard, that previous pharaohs had used to represent themselves as a godly being.
A key element in Hatshepsut’s method of legitimising her rule, claiming to be the daughter of the god Amun-Re as well as the named heir to her father Thutmose I. Being the child of a god was a common claim for male pharaohs who usually linked themselves to the sun god Re. Depictions of Hatshepsut’s divine birth can be found at the Deir el-Bahri temple. While the divine birth scenes are quite typical for demonstrating connections to the gods. The support of the state cult of Amun-Re was essential to returning stability, and to continue architechtural works in honour of the god. Played an important rolet for every pharaoh during their reign. The priests of Amun-Re played a dominant role in both the religious and bureaucratic elements of Hatshepsut’s reign. By exploiting the Egyptians strong beliefs on their gods Hatshepsut was finally able to sway the public to her favour. When finally gaining authority over Egypt. Hatshepsut was able to undertake expeditions that would bring back stability and fortune back to Egypt.
Some time after establishing her rule over Egypt. Hatshepsut would lead an expedition to The Land of Punt. In an attempt to re-establish trade with foreign countries. Later proving to be a milestone in Hatshepsut’s reign, making her a major influence on starting a golden era for the upcoming generations.
The land of Punt is what Egyptians would descrive in texts as “ the land of the gods”, and a country that was rich in resources. The trade between Punt and Egypt had long been established before Hatshepsut’s reign. The trading route between both countries was first organised by Pharaoh Sahure of the 5th Dynasty (25th Century BC), returning with cargoes of antiques and Puntites. Eventually many more expeditions to Punt had taken place. Pharaoh’s of the 6th, 11th and 12th Dynasties have all traded goods with the Puntites. The many spoils of Punt was expressed and celevrated in a popular book from the Middle Kingdom, called ‘Tale of a Shipwrecked Sailor’. Although there have been Pharaoh’s before Hatshepsut who have traded with Punt. None of them were given as much attention to Hatshepsut’s expedition. One factor resides on evidence that suggests the route to Punt had been lost, and written accounts stated that Hatshepsut was directed by the gods to re-establish a connection. Although the main reason for its significance, is simply because the size of the transaction was larger than any other that had been conducted before.
Hatshepsut’s inscriptions at the Deir el-Bahri temple, show detail accounts of the large scale expedition that Hatshepsut had prepared before Hatshepsut herself embarks on a voyage to Punt . There were many treasures in Hatshepsut’s possesion when her voyage returned to Egypt. She had recieved gold, ebony, wild animals, animal pelts, elephant tusks, ivory, spices, native wood, maquillage, myrrh trees and incense and frankincense. In exchange for a vast array of Egyptian jewelry, weapons, tools and trinkets. Even upon their arrival the Puntites gifted the Egyptians sacks of aromatic gum, gold, ebony, ivory, leopard skins, live apes, and incense trees. A good indicator of a prosperous future with both countries. There is also evidence the Egyptians traded metals available in their country for the gold of Punt even though Egypt had its own gold mines. The incense trees mentioned were the pinnacle of the exchange.
As noted, this exchange is the first initial time in recorded history that fauna (plants and trees) was successfully transported and transplanted in another country. The migration of this plant was so successful the trees flourished in Egypt for centuries.
The roots of the frankincense trees brought back from Punt by Hatshepsut’s expedition in 1493 BCE can still be seen outside the Deir al-Bahri temple. In addition, the expedition was such a success that within the temple, the hieroglyphs offer a detailed story of the relationship with Egypt and Punt. Hatshepsut would lead Egypt into a thriving country, placing her among the most successful in Egyptian history. But it is clear that she considered her expedition to Punt among her greatest milestones throughout her life.
Hatshepsut’s exceptional expertise of economics and cunning plan to obtain power, although can be seen as manipulative. Was the stepping stones of what bought Egypt back to a wealthy state. By carefully rising into power and establishing herself as ruler, Hatshepsut was able to continue on with what would be a major success in during her reign. By re-establishing trade with Punt. Hatshepsut would lead Egypt back into a golden era that would thrive for many generations to come.
