Question

Why is Queen Hatshepsut significant in Egyptian history?

A) She was the last of the pharaohs to rule before the invasion of the Hyksos.
B) She was the only woman in Ancient Egypt to rule with the full title of pharaoh.
C) Hatshepsut was the ruler of Egypt when the Hebrew exodus out of Egypt occurred.
D) Her tomb was discovered in 1927 completely untouched, giving archaeologists new information about Egyptian burial practices.

Answer 1

Queen Hatshepsut is significant in Egyptian history because she was the only known female pharaoh in the New Kingdom, led Egypt through a prosperous era, and initiated major architectural projects, while creating a mythology around her divine kingship.

Step-by-step explanation:

Queen Hatshepsut is significant in ancient Egyptian history for several reasons. Hatshepsut was not merely a queen, but a pharaoh — the only known female pharaoh during the New Kingdom. She started her rule as the regent for her stepson, Thutmose III, but later took on the title and full powers of a pharaoh.

During her reign from 1479 to 1458 BCE, she oversaw a period of prosperity, conducted military campaigns, and launched major building projects, including her famous mortuary temple.

Notably, she also had statues and inscriptions created that depicted her with symbolic representations of pharaonic power, such as the pharaonic headdress and ceremonial beard, while also acknowledging her femininity.

Hatshepsut's claim to divinity was backed by a mythology that she propagated, including her divine birth, as depicted in inscriptions and poems. Her mortuary temple reflects both the grandeur of her reign and her architectural contributions to Egypt.

Despite attempts by Thutmose III to erase her memory, Hatshepsut's legacy endures as one of ancient Egypt's most remarkable leaders. Her significant role set an inspiration for later works in the New Kingdom, establishing her as one of the most important and influential women in the history of ancient Egypt.

Answer 2

Queen Hatshepsut was significant in Egyptian history because she was the only woman to rule with the full title of pharaoh. She broke with the tradition of male rulers and successfully maintained stability and prosperity during her reign. Her contributions to the arts, architecture, and trade were also significant.

The correct answer is B) She was the only woman in Ancient Egypt to rule with the full title of pharaoh. Queen Hatshepsut ruled as pharaoh of Egypt from around 1479 to 1458 BCE. She is known for successfully maintaining stability and prosperity in Egypt during her reign. Hatshepsut is unique in Egyptian history because she assumed the full powers of a pharaoh, including dressing in traditional male attire and even wearing a false beard, breaking with the tradition of male rulers. Her reign is often considered one of the prosperous periods of the New Kingdom. While her contributions to the arts, architecture, and trade were significant, her gender and the efforts to erase her legacy after her death make her a fascinating figure in ancient Egyptian history.