Hatshepsut: The First Female Ruler Of Ancient Egypt

Hatshepsut (1479-1458 BCE) was the first female ruler of ancient Egypt to reign as a male with the full authority of pharaoh. In statuary and reliefs she was depicted as female until around her seventh year of reign when she chose to be depicted in the form of a man. Some would say she was the first female ruler but on the contrary there were many before her. She is said to have been the best female ruler, after Cleopatra VII, and one of the most successful monarchs in Egyptian history. It is astounding that in her time no woman was allowed the power that she had. There is still controversy because she was so successful in her rule. After her death most evidence of her ruling was erased. Some think it was because of her stepson, Thutmose