What Became of Hatshepsut? The Powerful Female Pharaoh Who Outshone Cleopatra

Kingship has been predominantly associated with men, but certain women have been exceptions to the rule. One of them was Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt for 21 years. A censorship campaign by her successor hid her name from history for decades, IFL Science reported.

Hatshepsut was the sixth pharaoh of the 18th dynasty and historians regard her as the most successful woman to rule Egypt as a pharaoh, Smithsonian Magazine reported. The next woman to rule Egypt was Cleopatra, who probably knew nothing about her glorious predecessor.

Hatshepsut's reign began in 1479 B.C. and continued till 1458 B.C., but evidence of this rule emerged only in the 19th century.

By all accounts recovered by researchers, Hatshepsut's rule was marked with peace and prosperity, Smithsonian Magazine reported. During her rule, she commissioned magnificent art and several ambitious building projects, including her mortuary, or memorial, temple at Deir el-Bahri.

Hatshepsut came to power after the death of her husband pharaoh Thutmose II. As per custom, she was appointed as a regent in 1479, with the objective that she would rule in place of her young stepson, Thutmose III, till he came of age.

For unclear reasons, Hatshepsut proclaimed herself the pharaoh, a few years after she was appointed a regent, Smithsonian Magazine reported. Several historians allege that to assert her claim she portrayed herself as a man with bulging muscles and the traditional pharaonic false beard. Thutmose III remained her successor.

Hatshepsut remained on the throne until she died in 1458, Smithsonian Magazine reported. After ascending the throne, Thutmose III began removing every trace of Hatshepsut's achievements from history.

Thutmose III destroyed monuments and documents bearing her name, IFL Science reported. The pharaoh instructed his officials to change the historical texts so that his stepmother's achievements were attributed to his name.

In 1822, archaeologists discovered Hatshepsut's name while deciphering hieroglyphs at Deir el-Bahri, IFL Science reported. Further analysis helped them piece together the story of Egypt's greatest female ruler. Her remains were found in the 21st century, within a minor tomb in the Valley of the Kings. 

Joyce Tyldesley, scholar, and author of the 1996 biography, Hatchepsut: The Female Pharaoh, believes that the female pharaoh was aware of the fact that people would try to erase her achievements, Smithsonian Magazine reported.

The inscription on a second pair of obelisks erected by Hatshepsut at Karnak reads, "Now my heart turns this way and that, as I think what the people will say—those who shall see my monuments in years to come, and who shall speak of what I have done."