Blog Post #5

Hatshepsut is known as one of the most famous female ruler of Egypt. She ruled during the 18th dynasty. She was the daughter of Thutmose I and Aahams. When her father died, her brother, Thutmose II became the Pharaoh. Due to anicent Egypt tradition, Thutmose II was to marry Hatshepsut. Thutmose died shortly after becoming Pharaoh. Hatshepsut had a nephew, but he was too young to take the throne so Hatshepsut became Pharaoh.
Not many people of Egypt approved of Hatshepsut, especially her nephew once he was old enough to be king. So Hatshepsut became “King” of Egypt, dressing as a man. She would wear a kilt and the headdress of Pharaohs; she even wore a fake beard.
Hatshepsut proved herself a worthy ruler. There were no wars in her time as Pharaoh, and there were many expeditions that took place in Somalia. These expeditions were in search for ivory, gold, spices, and animals. There are drawings and inscriptions on the walls of Hatshepsut’s temple, illustrating the expatiation. In the end, Hatshepsut was recognised as an expectable ruler of Egypt. She had a temple built for her in The Valley of the Kings.
Hatshepsut was a politician with enough charisma to keep her rule of Egypt for twenty years. Her experience could only help her so far. She used two excuses to ensure that she stayed a Pharaoh. The first was to tell of her relationship to Tuthmose I, and of her liking of the popular king. She claimed to have been handpicked by her father, above her two brothers and her half-brother. This was enough to secure her rule over Egypt.
Hatshepsut died after ruling over Egypt for twenty-two years. There is no record of how she died but tests on her mummy shows she probably died of a blood infection.