Hatshepsut: Egypt's Female Pharaoh

Hatshepsut

• Second woman to become pharaoh, reigning during the Eighteenth Dynasty.
• Wife of Thutmose II and assumed power after his death in 1479 BC, co-regent with her young step-son Thutmose III.
• Claimed divine legitimacy by stating her mother was visited by the deity Amon-Ra during pregnancy.
• Accomplished ruler known for re-establishing trade routes and maintaining peace.

Khufu

• Fourth Dynasty pharaoh renowned for constructing the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
• The pyramid served as his "stairway to heaven" and stood as the tallest man-made structure for approximately 4,000 years.
• Represents the advanced architectural capabilities of Ancient Egypt.

Thutmose III

• Step-son of Hatshepsut, took full control as pharaoh after her death in 1458 BC.
• Distinguished himself through military training; regarded as a military genius and often referred to as the "Napoleon of Egypt."
• Achieved a record of never losing a battle, earning widespread respect as possibly the greatest pharaoh.

Akhenaten

• Son of Amenhotep III, originally named Amenhotep IV, changed to reflect monotheistic beliefs focused on Aten, the Sun God.
• Moved the capital from Thebes to Amarna, renaming it Akhetaten ("Horizon of Aten"), marking the city's emergence.
• His wife, Nefertiti, played a crucial role in his religious reforms, known for her iconic limestone bust.
• Following his death, Egypt reverted quickly to polytheism, abandoning the beliefs he established.

Ramesses II

• Known as Ramses the Great, he ruled during the 19th Dynasty, marking his period with opulence and extensive military campaigns.
• Son of Seti I; had a co-regency with him before taking sole power, ruling for 67 years.
• Declared himself a god and had 96 children, leaving a vast architectural legacy.
• His reign ultimately strained Egypt's economy, leading to near-bankruptcy by the end of his life.

Cleopatra VII

• The final active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, known for her intelligence and political acumen during turbulent times.
• Despite romanticized portrayals, she was an effective leader who sought to stabilize and revitalize her empire.
• Had well-documented relationships with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony; her suicide on August 12, 30 BC, symbolized the end of the Egyptian empire.