Evaluation Of The Changing Interpretations Of Hatshepsut

Evaluate the changing interpretations of Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut, daughter of King Thutmose I and the pharaoh of Egypt, is a controversial figure who instigated diverse interpretations from historians over the years. As the longest reigning female pharaoh in Egypt who had ruled over twenty years in the 14th century B.C., Hatshepsut contributed greatly in her building program and had ensured the economic prosperity of Egypt during her reign after the death of her husband, Thomose II. Despite her achievements, Hatshepsut still remains to be a questionable personality to historians, evident in both ancient and modern interpretation of her in relation to her royal image and her involvement in foreign campaigns.

In Ancient Egypt, the royal image

In the coronation scene and the divine birth scene, Hatshepsut was denoted as a rightful ruler assigned by Thumose I and god Amun. However, historians Zawi Hawass and J. H. Ahmed Fakhry, in their book 'The Pyramids' present their beliefs that the development of Hatshepsut’s Divine Birth scene and Coronation scene was to legitimise her claim to the throne and reinforce her relationship to the god Amun in order to rule and procure peace and prosperity as a female in a male dominated society. Similarly, Juliette Bentley of Sydney University, claims that Hatshepsut was a dominant figure and aimed to establish a matriarchy. Alan Gardener however, opposed these opinions in his extract from 'Egypt of the Pharaohs', which states that Hatchepsut was by no means dormant but an influential woman with great initiative and strong will possessing an ambitious mind, which is what inspired her to the accession of the throne and led her to believe she was the legitimate ruler. At Hatshepsut's portrayal as a man, diverse interpretations also emerge among modern historians as Peter Dorman believed that through this unprecedented act, Hatshepsut guaranteed the stability of her stepson’s (Thutmose III) reign, military conquests, and economic prosperity whilst other historians considered Hatshepsut’s actions as a cultural violation of a women taking over a

There were several inscription found to have provided evidence of at least four military operations under the reign. Her military actions in the Upper East and Nubia were depicted in the wall on the eastern colonnade at Deir Eh Bahri, which provided a relief describing a campaign against the people of Upper Egypt, and the Nubian god, Tetun, who admitted his defeat. In addition to the campaign in the Upper East, Hatshepsut conducted a Nubian campaign which is proven through the Speos Artemidos inscription which is small inscription on a block of stone from a temple she erected. The message was inscribed by the nobleman, Ty, one of Hatshepsut’s chief officials, discovered at Elephantine island, who witnessed Hatshepsut's triumph and proclaimed his loyalty towards her. Accompanying this inscription, Hatshepsut depicted herself as a warrior pharaoh, embodying an image of a sphinx trampling on Egypt’s enemies to upgrade her own army in order to appear superior. The expedition to Punt which is depicted on the wall of her temple Dier El Bahri, explores her domestic policies to extend trade where goods such like resin, wood, gold, animals were all imported. The reliefs in Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple portray celebrations in which Hatshepsut is standing before the tribute and weighing the goods that were to be offered to Amun. The