transsuccess:

Born in the 15th century BC, Hatshepsut, daughter of Tuthmose I and Aahmes, both of royal lineage, was the favorite of their three children. When her two brothers died, she was in the unique position to gain the throne upon the death of her father. To have a female pharaoh was unprecedented. When Tuthmose I passed away, his son by the commoner Moutnofrit, Tuthmose II, technically ascended the throne. For the few years of his reign, however, Hatshepsut seems to have held the reins. He died after ruling only three or four years. Hatshepsut, his half sister and wife, had produced no offspring with him, although he had sired a son through the commoner Isis. This son, Tuthmose III, was in line for the throne, but due to his age Hatshepsut was allowed to reign as queen dowager.

Hatshepsut was not one to sit back and wait for her nephew to age enough to take her place. She was able to command enough of a following to actually take control as pharaoh and ruled for about 15 years, until her death in 1458 BC, leaving behind more monuments and works of art than any Egyptian queen to come.  Hatshepsut became a “king” and even dressed in the traditional garb of male rulers: the shendyt kilt, the nemes headdress with its uraeus and khat headcloth, and the false beard. Hatshepsut was a master politician and constructed propagandato cement her position.

But as Tuthmose III grew, her sovereignty grew tenuous. He not only resented his lack of authority, but no doubt harbored only ill will towards his step-mother’s consort Senmut.  After her death Hatshepsut’s mummy was stolen and her tomb destroyed. Only one of the canopic jars was found, the one containing her liver. It is presumed that Tuthmose III ordered the systematic erasure of her name from any monument she had built. Since most of the images of her were actually males, it was convenient to simply change the name “Hatshepsut” to “Tuthmose”. Not only was Hatshepsut’s name erased, but some of her monuments were destroyed.  Whether Tuthmose killed Hatshepsut, Senmut and Nofrure (Hatshepsut’s daughter) is questionable but likely. Since he paid little respect to her in death, it is quite possible he paid even less in life.

In all, Hatshepsut accomplished what no woman had before her. She ruled the most powerful, advanced civilization in the world, successfully, for twenty years. Even if there were some who resented her success, her success stands for all eternity.  We can only make estimations as to Hatshepsut’s gender identity potentially as male.

(via fyeahqueervintage)