“In the golden sands of ancient Egypt, amidst a lineage dominated by male rulers, emerged a queen whose ambition, vision, and political acumen challenged the very fabric of Egyptian society. Queen Hatshepsut, not merely content with the traditional role of a queen, ascended to the epitome of power as Pharaoh, leaving behind a legacy etched in stone and imprinted in the annals of history. Journey with me as we unravel the tale of this fearless woman, whose reign was so transformative that both deities and mortals for centuries stood in awe of her achievements.”

Who was Hat-shep-sut

The common know facts about her:

• Early Life & Background:
  • Daughter of Pharaoh Thutmose I and Queen Ahmose.
  • Born around 1507 BCE.
  • Married her half-brother, Thutmose II, who inherited the throne after their father.
• Ascension to Power:
  • After the death of Thutmose II, his son Thutmose III (by a secondary wife) was too young to rule, so Hatshepsut initially served as regent.
  • Eventually, Hatshepsut proclaimed herself as pharaoh around 1473 BCE, co-reigning with Thutmose III.
• Reign as Pharaoh:
  • One of the few female pharaohs of Egypt.
  • Wore traditional male pharaoh attire, including the false beard, emphasizing her role as pharaoh rather than queen.
  • Her reign was largely peaceful, without significant military campaigns.
  • Promoted trade expeditions, notably the expedition to the Land of Punt which brought back exotic goods.
  • Commissioned numerous building projects, particularly in Thebes. Her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari is one of the most architecturally significant in Egypt.
  • Depicted herself in statues and reliefs both in female form and as a male pharaoh.
• End of Reign & Death:
  • Ruled for about 22 years.
  • Died around 1458 BCE.
  • The exact cause of her death is unknown, but some speculate it might have been related to an abscess following a tooth infection.
• Posthumous Events:
  • For reasons not entirely clear, there was an attempt to erase her legacy. Many of her statues were defaced, and her name was often removed from monuments.
  • Thutmose III, after her death, might have been responsible for this erasure, possibly to ensure the patriarchal lineage of male pharaohs.
• Modern Rediscovery:
  • Her temple at Deir el-Bahari was rediscovered in the 19th century.
  • Archaeologists have been able to piece together much of her story despite the attempts to erase her from history.
  • Recognized today as one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful and innovative rulers.

Tuthmosis I

Tuthmosis I loved his daughter so much, and unlike other daughters, she would try to imitate her father, at different events. He was proud of her, but he foresaw the troubles ahead.

Tuthmosis I finally had a son Tuthmosis II with his second wife, whom he raised to be the next heir. Yet he knew that the throne rightfully belonged to her, and that she was the one of the royal blood of the first.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thutmose_I

But royal blood or not, the priest would Never accept a female leader.. no one knows why…
Because of the priests rules, queen Hat-shep-sut was semi-forced to marry her brother, giving him the power needed to rule Egypt. She was married with her younger half brother, together they would rule for 14 years. 

They did not have a son, which left Tuthmosis II with the same problem as her father was left with. Tutmosis II died at a young age, and had chosen his son Tuthmosis III by a second wife, to marriage her. 

Hatshepsut’s Name

She has 4 official names 

(most likely one secret name) • Birth name
• Priestess name/ Throne name
• Horus name

From the earliest time, the ancient kings of Egypt would have 4-5 strong names, and a secret name.

They had a

• Horus name
• Nebti name
• Horus of gold name
• Nesu bati name

The Queens Cartouche’s

Maat-Ka-Ra is translated as:

The Soul of Ra is justified
Justice – soul – Ra
Ra’s soul is justified

As you can see on the pictures above, which I took in Luxor, Egypt, gives the name of maatkara. 

This is actually a priestess (title) order who served under the Lord Amun, interestingly they use the word Ra and not Amun.

Maat

As you can see on the picture, Maat points to a sitting figure, notice that this figure has a feather on the head.

This is the goddess known as Maat, the balance keeper of the universe. Without her, the ancient Egyptian believed they would drift into the chaos of the universe.

ka

“Oh lord of the universe my Ka exists by your rules alone”.

The ka is the core of a human being. But like all the words in ancient Egypt, and the defiant meaning is still unknown. It is the double image, the subconscious self, the abstract personality, character, as well as the mind.

So as you can see, the Ka is much like the word maat. We have an assumption, because we have seen it used in context, that revealed these words.

But even in ancient Egypt, there seems to be confusion about this word. Or we have not correctly translated everything.

The Pyramid text tell us that,

The Ka lives in Heaven, and that one can be happy with our ka’s. That one can join the ka to their body. As you can see, these things are a lot more complex, and might give us other valuable information about the time.

Ra

The first creator on the First day. Ra, as you probably already know, is the Sun..

But when ancient Egyptians would use this symbol, they could also refer to the ‘First Day’, especially the first day that Ra rose above the horizon. Said in our modern words: The first day that the sun rose over the horizon.

Hat-shep-sut Cartouche for Her Birth Name

The cartouche above gives us the words meaning “Foremost of Noble Ladies”. Which is peculiar to me, because the cartouche above,  does not seem to give the word Hatshepsut… One word is missing…”

Here is how I translate this name… The last figure, is another version of the word ‘Sheps’ which means noble/honorable, and the sainted dead…

The next part is the Lion front part and the letter t below it. This part makes up ‘hat’

The next part is the most tricky one if you ask me. I would guess this is where they got the u from. The vessel alone means xnem: To unite, to be joined to, and below the vessel there is placed yet another t.

I would translate the first part of the cartouche as ‘amun/amen’

To me her name looks more like this image below, from one end to the other.

Her Horus Name

The Horus names could be seen in a more mythological way, in that it belongs to the story of Horus, and who is the rightful ruler after Horus the great son.

Her Horus name is translated to “Wesretkau” (also spelled “Wosretkau”),

The three up raised arms alone, is used to identify the KAU-spirits, plur.  

So let’s separate this name:

• “Wesret” (or “Wosret”): This is an ancient Egyptian term that translates to “the powerful” or “the mighty.” “Wesret” is also the name of an early Egyptian goddess associated with royalty, power, and the protection of kings.
  
• “Kau”: This term in ancient Egyptian means “kases” or “souls,” implying a plurality of spirits or a multiplicity of divine energies.

It was said that Ptah was the creator of the KAU spirits.

So, when combining these translations, “Wesretkau” can be interpreted as “Mighty of Souls” or “Powerful of Kas.” This title would emphasize Hatshepsut’s divine power and authority, linking her to the multiple spiritual energies or divine forces that a pharaoh was believed to possess.

Hatshepsut’s Monuments

Hatshepsut was not known for going into war, like other rulers were, but rather for her big trading expedition to Punt. She is also known for her fine monuments, which is of a very high and unique quality. 

Quote from her. “Hear ye, all persons! Ye people as many as ye are! I have done this according to the design of my heart. … I have restored that which was in ruins..”

Her monuments are to be found at Luxor temple, and Karnak temple and her great funerary temple at Deir el-bahari and at many other sites. 

Here is a list of all of them:

• Mortuary Temple at Deir el-Bahari:
  • Also known as “Djeser-Djeseru” (meaning “The Holy of Holies”).
  • This temple, carved into limestone cliffs, is one of the architectural marvels of ancient Egypt.
  • It’s the central part of a complex of temples in the Deir el-Bahari region.
• Hatshepsut’s Obelisks at Karnak Temple:
  • She erected several obelisks, but not all have survived intact.
  • One of her standing obelisks is one of the tallest remaining in Egypt.
• Red Chapel (or Chapelle Rouge) at Karnak:
  • Originally built as a barque shrine, it was later dismantled, and its blocks were used for other constructions.
  • Reconstruction efforts in modern times have restored parts of it.
• Hatshepsut’s Granite Gates:
  • Massive granite gateways that were once part of her building projects at Karnak.
• Speos Artemidos:
  • Located in Middle Egypt, this rock-cut temple was dedicated to the lioness goddess Pakhet.
  • Hatshepsut boasted of restoring the traditions of Egypt with this temple after they had been neglected by the foreign rulers of the Hyksos dynasty.
• Alteration and Restoration of Precinct of Mut:
  • Hatshepsut undertook projects in the precinct dedicated to the goddess Mut, adjacent to the Karnak temple complex.
• Bubastis (in the Delta):
  • Known for some building works, though less prominent compared to her projects in Upper Egypt.
• Relief of the Expedition to Punt:
  • Though not a monument in the traditional sense, this detailed relief found in her Deir el-Bahari temple recounts the famous expedition to the distant land of Punt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_el-Bahari

In my guide book, the magical guide to Luxor temple, I bring a little light upon her boat temple in Luxor temple and how Ramesses II probably felt about her. 

It is widely known that Hat-shep-sut had a huge impact upon her father, and brother/husband and her Son/husband. 

Many scholars believe she manipulated the men around her, when in fact she just did as a queen would do. And if we put the shoe on the other foot, then she seemed to have been seen as  an object, given from one man to another.

Translation of Hatshepsut’s obelisk in Karnak Temple

An obelisk that lies down in one of the temples at Karnak, it shows the crowning of Hatshepsut in male form. Upon the obelisk, the god Amun declares his appreciation of Hatshepsut as pharaoh.

Hat-shep-sut’s devotion to Amun, deserves a post by itself. So I am making a article about these priestesses at a later date.

Translation of the Obelisk text

Horus strong spirited youthful of years. Horus the Golden Bright God. Egyptian queen of upper and lower lands maat KA RA.

She has erected as monument for her father master of Amun made of lots of electrum.

She lightens the two lands like Atum. She has done what no one has done since the beginning of the earth.

which Hatshepsut daughter of the sun has made giving life like Ra forever.

East Side of the Obelisk

Horus strong of spirit queen of upper and lower Egypt Maat Ka Ra beloved of Amun.

Forever this monument stands with the name of her father.

When flattery was given to king of upper and lower Egypt. Master of the lands Aa Kheber Ka Ra (Her father other name) by his majesty the Great Noble God.

When two Great Obelisks have been erected by her majesty in the first occasion.

They are words by the Master of the Gods.

It if your father king of upper and lower Egypt Aa Kheber Ka Ra giver of command to erect the obelisks.

Your majesty shall repeat the monuments causing life forever.

North side of the Obelisk Horus strong spirited green of life that is the Bright God of upper and lower Egypt mistress of two lands Maat Ka Ra.
Her father Amun has fixed her name Maat Ka Ra on the Holy Tree.

Her annals like millions of years united with life and welfare.

Daughter of Ra Hatshepsut beloved of the king of Gods Amun in front of this beautiful solid monument.

Which she erected for him in the first Jubilee to offer eternal life.

Translation of The Base of the Obelisk

Living Horus strong spirited green of years Golden Horus the Bright Goddess.

Goddess of upper and lower Egypt Maat Ka Ra Daughter of the sun Hatshepsut eternal life forever.

Daughter of Amun Ra who is in his heart.

His only child whom he has brought. The useful image of everyone’s master.

Whom spirit of lyouno had created her beauty.

Holder of the two lands as arso who had created her to carry his crowns.

Who is there as Kheberi who shines with his crowns like Ekhti.

The chaste egg that has come out useful.

Whom the Great of Magic had reared.

Whom Amun himself had raised to his throne in lyouno on southern Thebes.

Whom he has chosen to protect Egypt and to protect mankind and people.

Horus protector of her father the old daughter of God Kamout Ef.

Whom Ra has brought to be for him an excellent seed on earth.

For the welfare of people. His living image.

Egyptian queen Maat Ka Ra of upper and lower land the best of kings…

-it continues…

Tomb of the Queen

She had a couple of Tombs, but her body has not yet been found.

Howard Carter found the first one and wrote.
“As a king, it was clearly necessary for her to have her tomb in the Valley like all other kings – as a matter of fact I found her tomb myself in 1903-  and the present tomb was abandoned. She would have been better advised to hold to her original plan. 

In this secret spot her mummy would have had a reasonable chance of avoiding disturbance: in the Valley it had none. A king she would be, and a king’s fate she shared”.

The second one is to be found at the base of the cliffs in the corner of the eastern part of the Valley of the Kings.

Senenmut

Senenmut was one of the most influential and powerful figures during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut. Here’s a breakdown of his relationship and roles with respect to Hatshepsut:

• Close Advisor and Official:
  • Senenmut held numerous titles and positions, making him one of the most powerful officials in Hatshepsut’s court. Some of his titles included “Steward of Amun” and “Overseer of the Works of the King,” indicating his administrative and architectural roles.
• Tutor to the Royal Princess:
  • One of Senenmut’s titles was “Tutor to the King’s Daughter,” indicating his role as the tutor to Hatshepsut’s daughter, Princess Neferure. This position was a significant mark of trust.
• Architectural Achievements:
  • Senenmut is credited with designing and supervising some of the major building projects of Hatshepsut’s reign. His most notable architectural work is the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari.
  • He also had his own tombs built, with one of them, TT353, famously containing a star ceiling with an astronomical depiction.
• Speculations about Personal Relationship:
  • Given Senenmut’s unparalleled access to Hatshepsut and the intimate nature of some of his roles (like tutoring her daughter), there has been much speculation by historians and archaeologists about the nature of their relationship. Some believe they may have had a romantic relationship, while others think their relationship was purely professional. There’s no conclusive evidence one way or the other, and it remains one of the enduring mysteries of Hatshepsut’s reign.
• Disappearance from Historical Record:
  • Later into Hatshepsut’s reign, there’s a noticeable absence of Senenmut from the historical record. His unfinished tombs and the lack of a burial site have led to various theories about his fate. Some suggest he might have fallen out of favor, while others believe he might have retired or died naturally.

Overall, while the exact nature of Senenmut’s relationship with Hatshepsut remains a matter of debate, it’s clear he played a crucial role in her court and had a significant impact on her reign.