The Role Of Hatshepsut In Ancient Egypt

The Role of Hatshepsut as a female pharaoh throughout the 18th Dynasty in Egyptian society was vital for the ultimate construction of Egypt as a major imperial power and the overall greatness of Egypt. Hatshepsut’s reign from 1503 BCE to 1482 BCE was one of the most prosperous periods for ancient Egyptian society, the role of Hatshepsut saw a time of great prosperity for the economy and architecture furthermore it was a time of advancement in the arts and of great peace. The great reign of Hatshepsut lasted for twenty-two years, and paved the way for Thutmosis III, who was able to engage in the repossession of the throne. The effective transition from the reign of Hatshepsut to Thutmosis enabled Thutmosis to initiate campaigns of conquest in
But by far her defining achievement was her temple at Der-el Bahri known rightfully as the “sublime of sublimes” (Monet, 1968: p.23). The construction of the temple took place between 1498 BC to 1483 BC. The following inscription from Der-el Bahri exemplifies her achievement “When you rest in your building where your beauties are worshipped, Amun Ra, the Lord of the Thrones of the Two Lands, give Hatshepsut life, duration and happiness. For she has made this building fine, great, pure” (Der el Bahri inscription in www.touregypt.net 18/5/04). Her temple would become her defining achievement that in term characterised Hatshepsut’s reign.

Hatshepsut’s architectural achievements were the defining characteristic of her reign and therefore were her most important contribution to the greatness of Egypt. Additionally, by Hatshepsut investing money into the beautification of her country, it allowed for a politically stable environment which in term would eventually help Thutmosis III. Although Architecture was Hatshepsut’s defining achievement without a flourishing economy it would not have been
This contributed to Egypt becoming a wealthy nation with unrivalled economic power. Her consolidation and injections into the economy would inevitably become the foundation that allowed Thutmosis III to undertake military campaigns of large scale. Naville reiterates the proposed ideas “her government must have been at once strong and enlightened, for when her nephew Thutmosis III succeeded her, the country was sufficiently powerful and rich to allow him to venture on a succession of war of conquests” (Naville, 1906,). Under Queen Hatshepsut’s reign, trade with foreign countries was expanded, not only with the African lands to the south, but also with the Levant and the islands of the sea. The Queen decided to strengthen the relationships with friendly nations and let hostile Asiatic nations be punished for their ignorance and arrogance. Relations with Byblos flourished again and the turquoise mines of Sinai were reopened. Furthermore Timber from the land of Negau was imported and envoys to the southern land negotiated the trade of metals and precious commodities such as panther and elephants skins with the inhabitants of the Libyan coast. As quoted by Redforde upon Hatshepsut’s trade bolstering “Hatshepsut was not blind to the need of bolstering Egypt’s economy. Running a close second to the building program were the economic measures, taken by