Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut “Foremost of Noble Ladies”(1508-1458 BC), fifth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, New Kingdom. Ma'at-ka-Re Hatshepsut, the daughter of Tuthmosis I and Ahmes (sister of Amenophis I), is generally believed to have ruled Egypt as pharaoh for approximately 22 years.

She asserted her claim to be the sovereign rather than the “King's Great Wife” or queen consort and was unique because she wore several of the typically “male” adornments, including the false beard, male clothing and had herself depicted as a pharaoh.

Upon the death of her father, Hatshepsut claimed her birthright as it was proclaimed in the Oracle of Amun and had these declarations by the God Amun carved on her monuments: “Welcome my sweet daughter, my favorite, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Maatkare, Hatshepsut. Thou art the Pharaoh, taking possession of the Two Lands.”

During Hatshepsuts reign, she commissioned hundreds of building projects throughout Upper and Lower Egypt, including her mortuary temple at Deir el Bahri. It is written that one of her trade caravans returned by boat on the Nile with 31 live myrrh trees from the Land of Punt. These were placed around her funerary temple.

I have always greatly admired Hatshepsut...her strength...her beauty...her tenacity...and her conviction.

I would like to thank Alicia Charles for the use of her photography [link] She made a stunning Hatshepsut