Ancient History · Year 12 · Significant Individuals in the Ancient Past · 4.º Período

Hatshepsut: Rise to Power and Reign

An investigation into Hatshepsut's assumption of the pharaonic titles and her building programmes. Students assess the reasons for the later defacement of her monuments.

TL;DR:Hatshepsut is one of the most successful and intriguing figures of the New Kingdom. This topic explores her rise from queen regent to pharaoh, her unique use of religious and artistic propaganda to justify her rule, and her significant contributions to Egypt’s economy and architecture, such as the expedition to Punt and her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. Students also investigate the mystery of the posthumous attempt to erase her from history.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• ACHAH135
• ACHAH136

About This Topic

Hatshepsut is one of the most successful and intriguing figures of the New Kingdom. This topic explores her rise from queen regent to pharaoh, her unique use of religious and artistic propaganda to justify her rule, and her significant contributions to Egypt’s economy and architecture, such as the expedition to Punt and her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. Students also investigate the mystery of the posthumous attempt to erase her from history.

In the Australian Curriculum, Hatshepsut’s reign provides a case study in gender and power. Students analyze how she navigated the traditionally male role of pharaoh by adopting male iconography. The topic also emphasizes the evaluation of archaeological evidence, as much of what we know comes from the very monuments that were later defaced. This topic is ideal for active learning, as students can engage in 'forensic' history to debate the reasons for her 'damnatio memoriae' or analyze her propaganda through a gallery walk.

Key Questions

1. How did Hatshepsut justify her claim to the throne?
2. What were the major achievements of her reign?
3. Why was her legacy targeted by her successors?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Hatshepsut 'stole' the throne from Thutmose III.

What to Teach Instead

She initially ruled as a legitimate regent and her transition to pharaoh was gradual and supported by the elite. Peer-led analysis of her 'Divine Birth' reliefs helps students see how she framed her rule as a religious necessity rather than a simple power grab.

Common Misconception

Thutmose III hated her and erased her immediately after her death.

What to Teach Instead

The erasure didn't begin until late in Thutmose III's reign, decades after she died. A timeline-based collaborative investigation helps students see that the 'revenge' theory is less likely than a political move to ensure his own son's succession.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk

The Evolution of an Image

Display images of Hatshepsut from early in her reign (as a queen) to late in her reign (with a false beard and male physique). Students move in pairs to track the changes and discuss why she felt it necessary to alter her physical representation.

30 min·Pairs

Formal Debate

Why was she erased?

Divide the class into three groups, each arguing a different theory for the defacement of her monuments: Thutmosid revenge, a desire to restore 'Ma'at' by removing a female pharaoh, or purely political reasons. Students must use archaeological evidence to support their claims.

40 min·Whole Class

Inquiry Circle

The Punt Expedition

In small groups, students analyze the reliefs from Deir el-Bahri depicting the expedition to Punt. They must identify the goods brought back and explain how this trade mission served as a form of political propaganda for Hatshepsut.

45 min·Small Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Hatshepsut justify her rule as a woman?

Hatshepsut used several strategies: she claimed she was the literal daughter of the god Amun-Ra (the Divine Birth myth), she asserted that her father Thutmose I had named her his heir, and she gradually adopted the traditional regalia of a male pharaoh, including the khat headdress and the ceremonial false beard, to align herself with the established iconography of power.

What was the significance of the expedition to Punt?

The expedition to the land of Punt (likely modern-day Somalia or Eritrea) was a major highlight of her reign. It brought back exotic goods like frankincense, myrrh, gold, and ebony. By successfully organizing such a large-scale trade mission, Hatshepsut demonstrated her ability to provide for Egypt and her favor with the gods, particularly Amun.

Why were her monuments defaced?

The most likely reason for the defacement was political rather than personal. By removing her name and images, her successors (Thutmose III and Amenhotep II) were essentially 'correcting' the historical record to show an unbroken line of male pharaohs. This helped legitimize their own reigns and ensured that a female pharaoh would not serve as a precedent for future successions.

How can active learning help students understand Hatshepsut?

Active learning, such as a 'forensic' debate over her erasure, encourages students to think like historians. Instead of accepting one theory, they must weigh the evidence for different interpretations of her 'damnatio memoriae.' This approach helps them understand that history is an ongoing process of interpretation and that even 'missing' evidence can tell a powerful story about the past.