Pharaoh Hatshepsut was the first female pharaoh of Egypt, and is best known for her efficient and peaceful reign. Though she started out simply as the daughter of a pharaoh, then a regent and co-ruler, she herself eventually ended up as the pharaoh of the entire kingdom of Egypt. Her reign lasted for about two decades from 1479 to 1458 B.C, making her the longest reigning woman of ancient Egypt. During her rule Egypt experienced prosperous and good years, and she shaped her country by making it a stronger nation when it came to both trade and architecture. Though she is considered as a good ruler who had a positive influence on her kingdom, attempts were made to erase her from history by defacing her monuments. This is perhaps the main reason …show more content…
She was the eldest daughter of Thutmose I, and married to her half-brother Thutmose II. After the death of her father and later her husbands, the throne went to Hatshepsut’s stepson and nephew Thutmose III. As he was just a child, Hatshepsut became regent of Egypt. Then after three years she announced herself the official pharaoh and king of Egypt. A woman ruling Egypt was highly controversial at the time, and because pharaoh’s were traditionally male, Hatshepsut had to take precautions when seizing the throne. She completely transformed her own image by making herself a masculine figure. She dressed in men’s clothes and wore a ceremonial beard, all in hopes of receiving the full respect she …show more content…
She carried out multiple great achievements including improvements when it came to trade, building, military, court and priesthood. Large quantities of astonishing building innovations were executed, and she started a new age of temple building. Hatshepsut is known to be one of the most profound builders of Ancient Egypt, with her most infamous creation being her own mortuary temple Deir el-Bahri. This temple is located in the Valley of the Kings, across the Nile from Thebes. On the walls of this temple, there are stories telling of Hatshepsut’s birth as the daughter of the god Amun, and carvings showing trading expeditions. In addition to building beautiful temples, she also restored older shrines and temples. This included the temple at Karnak, which had previously been destroyed by foreigners. By the temple at Karnak she constructed two immense obelisks by the entrance, and at the time these were the tallest in the