The Great Queen Hatshepsut

The great Queen Hatshepsut was one of the first truly powerful, female monarchs in history. Her story began as many Egyptian Queens with her birth into the royal household. She held many positions in her father's court, but when her father passed away, her younger brother Thutmose II inherited the throne. The line of Pharaohs passed through the female, so Hatshepsut was married to her younger half-brother.

Ascending the Throne

Thutmose II passed away early, leaving only an infant son with another wife for his heir. Hatshepsut assumed the mantle of regent for her nephew, eventually declaring herself Pharaoh and King. While little is written of Hatshepsut's personal life, her reign set remarkable precedent for future queens.

Having crown up at court, Hatshepsut used her many connections and favor with Egyptian nobles. During her reign, she funded many great projects and explorations. Her adventurers brought back many treasures including ivory and spices. She began construction of her own burial temple decorated in the colors and markings of exotic animals and plants from around the world.

She began the restoration of Karnak after its sacking from by foreign invaders. She constructed two great obelisks, the tallest in the world at either side of Karnak's entrance. Those obelisks remained standing thousands of years after her death.

Raising Her Nephew

Despite her assumption of the throne, Hatshepsut never eliminated her nephew nor did she appear to make any attempt to do more than educate him. As she was raised in the Court and held many positions so did she for Thutmose III and her own daughter. She never denied him his right to rule, instead acting as his mentor and guide.

When Hatshepsut passed away, she was not interred in her burial temple, Thutmose III would not allow it. Yet, Hatshepsut's legacy lived on for millennium. In 2007, archeologists identified the final resting spot of Hatshepsut after three thousand years.