Hatshepsut (1507-1458 BC) was the second female pharaoh to reign for longest in the 18 th
dynasty of Ancient Egypt, who has ruled for more than 20 years. Her mother was Ahmose
and father Thutmose I. Because the dynastic tradition only allowed for inbreeding,
Hatshepsut married her step-brother and later pharaoh Thutmose II, however they had no
heir from this marriage. Thutmose II’s second wife gave birth to the heir, who was raised by
Hatshepsut. When Thutmose II died at a young age, Hatshepshut came to power as a regent
for Thutmose III who was very young to reign. She then became the female pharaoh with the
support of religious authorities. While co-regency of royal women was socially accepted, it
was not appropriate for them to become the pharaoh. This is why the depictions of
Hatshepsut, especially those about her ceremonial clothes involve a fake beard and
resemble male clothing.
During her reign, she followed a strategy of peace, quelled
rebellions with her military knowledge and strategies, improved the trade routes and
wealth, and promoted the construction of many architectural projects. The most important
of these is the Temple of Hatshepsut, which also inspired Anıtkabir. Hatshepsut later
abdicated on the condition that her supporters, including her architect lover, would not get
killed. However, Thutmose III, who took over, did not keep his promise and killed all of her
supporters. Later, after Hatshepsut’s death, any tablet, statue, and depiction of hers was
destroyed systematically. Today, we still don’t know why any traces of Hatshepsut were not
allowed to remain. One of the predominant theories suggest that it may be due to the belief
in bad luck of having a female pharaoh.
