Question

How was Hatshepsut's reign different from the

reigns of the two earlier queens who had ruled
Egypt?​

Answer 1

Hatshepsut's reign was distinctive as she proclaimed herself as the pharaoh, took on the symbolic representations of a male ruler, and established her divine origins, which differed from previous Egyptian queens. She led Egypt through a prosperous era with significant cultural contributions, but her legacy was nearly erased by her stepson Thutmose III after her death.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hatshepsut's reign as an Egyptian pharaoh was notably different from earlier queens who had ruled Egypt. Unlike her predecessors, Hatshepsut initially became regent for a young Thutmose III but over time, asserted herself as the pharaoh, a position historically held by male rulers. She donned the pharaonic headdress and ceremonial beard, successfully ruling for around 20 years. During her time, Egypt saw prosperity, expansion of trade, and significant architectural advancement.

Moreover, Hatshepsut claimed divinity and backed it with a mythology of her divine birth as recounted in a poem she had inscribed at her mortuary temple – something that was not typical of earlier female rulers. This divine claim separated her from other queens and rulers before her and emphasized her independent rule without the need to be in relation to a male counterpart.

After her death, in an attempt to erase her legacy, her stepson Thutmose III defaced monuments and inscriptions relating to her reign. This act may have stemmed from a range of motivations, including possible misogyny or dynastic politics. Regardless, Hatshepsut's contributions and her unique approach to rulership as a female pharaoh have cemented her legacy as one of the most influential figures in ancient Egypt, known for her substantial building projects, like the temple at Deir el-Bahri, and her portrayal in a masculine form as a symbol of her pharaonic power.

Answer 2

Except Hatshepsut, among the sovereign rulers of Ancient Egypt, before the conquest by Alexander the Great, there were only four women - Meritneit, Neutikert at the end of the Ancient Kingdom, Sebeknefrura at the end of the Middle Kingdom, and Twosret at the end of the 19th dynasty. Unlike Hatshepsut, they all came to power during the critical periods of Egyptian history.

Hatshepsut deliberately seized power by overthrowing her husband. Namely under her ruling, the country reached its peak. She became the fifth pharaoh of the 18th dynasty in the period known as the New Kingdom (1570-1069 BC).

In fact, having removed the minor Thutmose III from power and proclaimed herself a pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut finished the restoration of Egypt after the Hyksos invasion, erected many monuments throughout Egypt, sent an expedition to Punt and, apparently, conducted military campaigns, unlike her predecessors. The wars of Ahmose I and Thutmose I have not yet acquired a pronounced aggressive character, since they were aimed at establishing security on the southern and northern borders. Along with Thutmose III, Akhenaten, Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Cleopatra VII, Hatshepsut is considered one of the most famous Egyptian rulers. Unlike her predecessors, she was actively involved in construction. Only by Ramses II Meriamon built more than Hatshepsut.

Step-by-step explanation: