The Legacy Of Hatshepsut's Reign During The 18th Dynasty

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The legacy of Hatshepsut’s reign during the 18th Dynasty is recognised as an important feature in understanding her commitment and responsibilities as female pharaoh of Egypt. As the daughter of Thutmose I and Queen Ahmose, Hatshepsut ruled Egypt under the traditions of past pharaohs though representing herself as a man. Everything that Hatshepsut contributed to society reflected on her representation as pharaoh and her reigning tributes; this is mainly suggested through her surviving monuments, for example the Deir el-Bahri in Egypt today.

Hatshepsut’s legacy was an important contribution to Egypt during this time period. It was the time of the development of the New Kingdom, the beginning of a new testament. Before Hatshepsut was recognised …show more content…

Because pharaoh’s were always male, her representation was crucial. As pharaoh, she began to establish different policies, one of which was military campaign. As a pharaoh, it is seen as significant if you have many titles and successions, promoting yourself as an important role model to follow. Hatshepsut depicted herself as a “warrior pharaoh”, along with other titles that made her look more powerful and traditional. Historian John Albert Wilson, who is an Egyptologist states in 1951 that “she records no military campaigns or conquests....Her pride was in the internal development of Egypt and commercial enterprise” (J.A Wilson, page 174, The Culture of Ancient History). This is shown to be a negative statement regarding Hatshepsut’s legacy and it clearly points out that her reign in the 18th Dynasty was not concentrated on the military campaign but in ruling the country. Historian, Sir Alan Gardiner, who states 10 years after Wilson’s statement “had been barren of any military enterprise except an unimportant raid into Nubia”. (A. Gardiner, page 189, Egypt of the Pharaohs). This response to Hatshepsut’s legacy reflects on the campaigns she conducted in Nubia (known as Sudan today) and also shows a negative perspective from a historian studying this. The foreign policy, expedition to Punt, was also an important perspective on Hatshepsut’s reign and legacy. In order for