Hatshepsut
Born: 1508 BC
Died: 1458 BC
Reign: >20 years
Hatshepsut was born into royalty as
the daughter of Thutmose II and his
principal wife, Ahmose. She was the
only surviving child of Thutmose I and
his principal wife, Ahmose. She had
three siblings; two sisters and a
brother, who all died during early
childhood. Since Thutmose I did not
have a son with his principal wife, his
son by a minor wife, Thutmose II,
would succeed him. Hatshepsut
married Thutmose II, who was her
half-brother and became queen upon
the death of their father.
Thutmose II was a sickly man and only reigned for a few years
before he died of a skin disease. Thutmose II and Hatshepsut had
only one child, a daughter. However, he did have a son by a minor
wife named Thutmose III. Thutmose III was crowned king when his
father died, but he was too young to rule or make decisions, so
Hatshepsut stepped in as regent. This basically means that she
called all the shots! After ruling as regent for a while she declared
herself Pharaoh.
Even when Thutmose III came of age, Hatshepsut continued to
exert her own power and authority. He didn’t actually get to
practice the role of pharaoh until her death.
Egypt thrived under Hatshepsut. She established trade
relationships with Egypt’s neighbors and built temples and
monuments. She was very intelligent and cunning and had the favor
of many political figures.
In order to display her authority, Hatshepsut wore traditional
crown and kilt. She was even depicted wearing a beard in statues
and monuments. She had many of these built around temples and
even declared that she was the daughter of a god.
Hatshepsut ruled for over twenty years before her death, and
is known as the most powerful woman pharaoh. Some suspect that
Thutmose III had her killed, but it is likely that she died from a toxic
ointment that she used for a skin condition. Her mummy has been
found and identified. It is not in a museum in Cairo, Egypt.
1. When was Hatshepsut born?
5. What did she do for Egypt?
2. When did she die?
6 What are the theories
surrounding her death?
3. Who was she married to?
4. How did she come to
power?
7. Where is her mummy?
Sources
www.biography.com/people/hatshepsut-9331094#death-and-legacy
www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/worldhistory/hatshepsut.htm
www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_egypt/hatshepsut.php