The Reign of Hatshepsut in Ancient Egypt

The New Kingdom was considered the golden age of civilisation of Ancient Egypt. It was the rise of powerful pharaohs whose strategies were to expand or protect Egypt. As the prominent figure during this era, Hatshepsut remained the only female pharaoh who had a huge influence over economic and religious concerns. Despite her achievements, Egyptian scholars and historians argue that Hatshepsut's true royal power and practices were acts of manipulation to maneuver and control her 'powerless' and young stepson for the throne. In contrast, revisionist historians argue that she was an effective ruler, who happened to be a woman. This was evident through her achievements, as they were necessary factors for her elevation to kingship.

As the only female pharaoh who reigned the longest from 1458-1478 BC, Hatshepsut is clearly breaking Egyptian tradition of patriarchal domination. This was successful as she forcefully reinforces her titles as “king’s daughter” and “great royal wife” to legitimise her reign through her royal bloodline. Thus, giving her a better claim than her stepson Thutmose III, son of pharaoh by a concubine. Born to King Thutmose I and his wife Queen Ahmose, was Hatshepsut able to begin her accession to the throne following her father’s death. At that time Hatshepsut married her stepbrother Thutmose II, whose mother was of non-royal blood, so therefore questioning whether or not Thutmose II deserved his position as pharaoh. Further emphasis . Therefore, she continues to establish her role as a pharaoh through her royal heritage. However, historian A. Gardiner argues that “she (Hatshepsut) flaunts a full titulary (titles)”, reinforcing his disbelief against Hatshepsut entitlements in order to provoke admiration from her people to turn against her ‘vulnerable’ stepson Thutmose III.

The claim of her relationship with God Amun is one of the most debated achievements of Hatshepsut’s reign as historian D.B. Redford argues “Hatshepsut showed herself to be an imaginative planner”. This reinforces that he believed Hatshepsut created stories as a promotion for her accession to the throne. However, she further legitimises her claim to the throne through presented herself as Amun’s daughter. Series of reliefs at her temple at Deir el-Bahri illustrates her divine birth and coronation. As the inscription depicts the sexual union of Queen Ahmose and Amun-Re, denoting Hatshepsut’s divine conception. It establishes her role as a pharaoh through the rightful and god-granted order of the divine god. Additionally, addresses of Thutmose I to the court from her coronation inscriptions states “My daughter, Khnemet-Amun, Hatshepsut… she is my successor upon my throne, she will sit upon my wonderful seat… she will lead you…”