Hatshepsut - The Woman Who Was Pharaoah

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The Woman who was Pharaoh

Hatshepsut, one of the ancient world’s most beautiful and intelligent women, is remembered as being the first woman to become King of Ancient Egypt. A woman of strong character, she acted as co-regent of Ancient Egypt for 20 years and worked hard to vastly improve the lives of all of her people. Her
influence on the politics, trade, architecture and war during this time was immeasurable in the eyes and hearts of all who knew her and knew of her.

Ancient Egypt was a peaceful civilization while Hatshepsut sat in the throne, dressed as a man to gather the admiration of her people. Peace rather than war found its way into Egyptian’s lives as they lived in harmony rather than tragedy. Tuthmosis III whom she shared the throne with led the army while she ruled the land. Wars were always businesslike and informative. This plan of attack resulted in no major wars while Hatshepsut was pharaoh. However, the forces were maintained efficiently despite the peaceful dent it carried. Many thousands of Egyptians lives were saved due to these 20 years of peace due to Hatshepsut’s keen political skills and her ability to jump every hurdle that came in her way.

Hatshepsut ordered many trading expeditions during her time as King, which enabled Egyptians to live in domestic prosperity. Trade became an important part of her policy and many products returned in these expeditions can still be identified today in these lands. One of the most infamous trade expeditions was her voyage to Punt. Five ships sailed the Red Sea to Punt (now known as Somalia) with goods to exchange with the native people of Punt. Historians know of this voyage as the painted scenes of the expedition are seen today on the walls of her temple at Deir el-Bahri. Hatshepsut returned to Egypt with her ships carrying products Egyptians desired as dictated by the God Amon. The boats were laden with myrrh, frankincense, woods, resin, ivory...