SafariEgypt.com Logo Egypt Hotels Egypt Tours Packages Egypt Picture Nile Cruises Egypt Information Egypt Diving Safari Desert Egypt Maps
Egypt Queen Hatshepsut ancient exhibit History Economy Punt Senenmut
Home Diving Egypt Hotels Safari Desert Nile Cruises Egypt Tour Packages Egypt Map Information Egypt Pictures About Us
 
Egypt under Queen Hatshepsut
Economy: Hatshepsut ruled Egypt for twenty prosperous years, driven by an unbreakable will to prove to the ancient world how a woman is capable of playing various roles; that of a mother, a master politician, an elegant and smart stateswoman, yet and most importantly can still hold the entire country with an iron grip, like no man would do. Hatshepsut realized the importance of the economy, and its inescapable impact on the Egyptians, and so, she focused on expanding trade relations remarkably, which led both the economy, and the peoples’ overall status to outstandingly flourish. The expedition to Punt; Somalia nowadays, is one of the most important in recorded ancient history, depicted on Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahri, showing Hatshepsut ordering a trading expedition to Punt, as per Amon Ra’s command, to fulfill Egyptians’ needs of ivory, spices, gold, ebony, fragrances and trees.

Art and Architecture: Hatshepsut is believed to be the only female Pharaoh to establish the most monuments in her reign, as many temples that we visit nowadays were either constructed or restored by her most favored official Senenmut; her spokesperson, advisor and chief of architect. For readers to appreciate both the efforts of Hatshepsut and Senenmut, a visit to Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple in Thebes is a must, as against the stark mountains backdrop at Deir El Bahari, stands the extraordinary, partly rock mortuary temple, which rises from the desert plain in a series of breathtaking imposing terraces. Unfortunately, the temple was destroyed by Ramses the Second; however, on going excavations continue to reveal exquisite decorations, such as reliefs of Punt expedition, scenes along the birth colonnade portraying the divine birth Queen Hatshepsut, and statues of the Queen, represented as a male.

Hatshepsut Statue in Deir Al Bahri, Egypt
(Hatshepsut Statue in Deir Al Bahri, Egypt)

Hatshepsut and Senemut; Inevitable Rumors
With Hatshepsut gaining more power, and openly favoring Senenmut over other officials, the spread of rumors became inevitable. People suggested that both had an intimate relation, which therefore, granted Senemut more than 40 significant titles by the Queen. However, what led the rumors to run rampant, was Senenmut’s appointment, as the Queen’s daughter private tutor, and his construction of a tomb next to the Queen’s private tomb. The relation between both remained a mystery, yet stirred more confusion, when several statues associating Senenmut with the Princess Neferure were found. However, by the death of Neferurue, Hatshepsut and Senenmut’s relation came to an end, which leads to the following speculation

The Fall of Hatshepsut
What remains of Hatshepsut is still a mystery, as no one knows whether she had naturally died, had been murdered or simply retired. All what we know is that the Queen inexplicably disappeared, leaving no trace of her body, but only leaving room for many speculations to guess what might have happened. The most common speculation, details that some sort of alliance was formed between Senenmut and Tuthmosis III, who grew to take his rightful place as Egypt’s Pharaoh. Directed by hatred and anger, Tuthmosis III destroyed all monuments created by Hatshepsut, and also had her name cut away from all temples’ walls, as an attempt to erase her memory from ancient history. However, Hatshepsut’s name will eternally be engraved in history, as she had set a turning point in its course, which could never be forgotten.

continue reading about Queen Hatshepsut << Previous (1 - 2) 

Alexandria Information - Aswan Information - BahariyaOasis Information - Cairo information - Dahab information - Dakhla Oasis - Farafra Oasis - Hurghada Information - Kharga Oasis- Luxor information - Marsa Alam Information - Nabq Information - Nuweiba Information - Safaga Information - Sharm El Sheikh information - Sinai Information - Siwa Oasis - St. Katherine Information