The temple of Hatshepsut

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Mysteries and tragedies of the first female pharaoh

Queen Hatshepsut has left a legacy of great story of character, willpower and a beautiful temple nestled between mountains. The temple is a must if you travel to Egypt due to its incredible location on the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, near Thebes.

The temple of Hatshepsut

Photography by masterplaan

If the structure of the temple, partly by air and one hand dug into the rock, attracts visitors, without a doubt one of the strengths of interest is the story of the first female pharaoh, even dressed as a man and beard to govern.

Hatshepsut was granddaughter, daughter and wife of Pharaoh, but even so, only managed to prevail thanks to a strong character that helped him cope with all the intrigues that away from the throne at the death of his father, Thutmose I. It was the only legitimate descendant of Pharaoh, but to be a woman, had many enemies and much of the nobility supported the succession to the figure of an illegitimate son of Thutmose I, who became Thutmose II.

Following the Egyptian tradition, Hatshepsut had to marry his half-brother Tuthmosis II, thus maintaining its power in the shade. Although he had many enemies, also had strong support. When Thutmose II died without male issue, he again repeated the same situation and went to Pharaoh’s throne is known as Thutmose III, who was still a child. Hatshepsut served as regent and then put all possible obstacles to delay the wedding, become pharaoh Thutmose III.

Mysteries and tragedies of the first female pharaoh

Photography by girolame

But this time, the child «Pharaoh» was growing and showed great intelligence and skill to gradually eliminating suspicious deaths to all who supported Hatshepsut, including the architect Senenmut, which it said was her lover and father of her daughter.

These difficulties accompanied her even after her death. Thutmose III ordered to delete all references to Hatshepsut temples, tombs and any construction. This is probably the reason why we could not identify her mum until last year, although the mummy had been found a century ago. This identification is considered as the most important finding for the historical legacy of ancient Egypt, after the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Hatshepsut temples

Photography by Ed Yourdon

The temple of Hatshepsut, designed by architect Senenmut is the most monumental of those built in the valley and its beauty is mainly due to the care and use of light shades of the land in the porches that surround the buildings. Although, as mentioned, practically all references to the first female pharaoh was deleted at the northern gateway can still be seen on the back wall a bas-relief by Egyptologists represent the divine birth and education of Queen Hatshepsut.

And we say God, because we must keep in mind that since antiquity has been associated with royalty, is the culture that is, with the deities of the time. In this case, the name that was proclaimed pharaoh «Haptshepsut Jenemetamón» means «First among the noble ladies who embraced Amun.»

Good trip to Egypt!

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