Hatshepsut took power disguised as a man to legitimize her reign and be accepted by Egyptian society, especially because the role of pharaoh was traditionally reserved for men.
Hatshepsut lived around 1500 B.C., during the 18th dynasty of the New Kingdom, one of the most prosperous and powerful periods of ancient Egypt. Daughter of the pharaoh Thutmose I, she married her half-brother Thutmose II, thus joining a common practice intended to preserve royal lineages. When her husband died young, it was her stepson Thutmose III, still a child, who was to ascend the throne. But since he was too young to effectively rule, it was Hatshepsut, as regent, who initially took control of the country. Gradually, she became engrossed in the game of power—to the point of fully assuming the role of pharaoh, which was very unusual for a woman at the time.
In ancient Egypt, women had certain rights but remained very limited in terms of political power. Although they could own their own property, run a business, or divorce, accessing the supreme role of pharaoh was seen as reserved for men. In short, leading the country, being the head of the armies, and ensuring cosmic balance was considered a man's affair in the eyes of society. Women of royal lineage could influence, advise, or even rule for short periods as regents, but officially taking the title of pharaoh remained exceptional and poorly accepted. Therefore, a woman wishing to assert herself as a sovereign had to fight hard against traditions and deeply patriarchal mindsets, proving herself worthy of the politically and religiously associated responsibilities of the throne.
Taking on a masculine appearance was not insignificant for Hatshepsut. In ancient Egypt, royal power was traditionally reserved for men. Therefore, to be taken seriously and establish her legitimacy, she adopted typically masculine symbols: a ceremonial false beard, male clothing, and official representations with a masculinized body. All of this clearly asserted that she fully assumed the role of pharaoh, capable and legitimate. She did not hide; she showcased her power in a form that the Egyptians could easily recognize and accept. This disguise was strategic, intelligent, and it allowed her to firmly establish her authority.
In ancient Egypt, the pharaoh represented more than just a king; he was essentially a living god. He embodied Horus on Earth, ensuring balance and harmony throughout the kingdom. To become pharaoh, one had to adhere to a series of specific symbols, such as the false beard and the royal loincloth, which held strong religious significance. Wearing these attributes allowed Hatshepsut to fully engage in the role, establishing her authority in front of the people and the priests. By adopting these masculine codes, she also conformed to the deeply rooted beliefs that only a man could truly embody this divine power. Her masculine disguise was therefore not merely an aesthetic choice, but a strategic and religious stance.
Hatshepsut's original choice to reign under a masculine appearance allowed her to establish her authority and quickly strengthen her legitimacy among the religious and political elites. It clearly paved the way for her to achieve quite a few impressive successes, such as monumental constructions or large trading expeditions, significantly enriching Egypt. But after her death, this disguise strategy complicated her legacy (or rather, the afterlife!). Her successor, Thutmose III, set about destroying or hiding almost all the symbols of her reign, erasing her memory from official records and public monuments. For a long time, official history overlooked her. It is only recently that researchers have rediscovered and acknowledged her importance, realizing that she was an exceptional leader in her own right. Today, Hatshepsut is considered one of the most fascinating and bold figures of ancient Egypt, a female pharaoh whose courageous—and clever—choice still resonates with us.
Although she adopted a masculine appearance to consolidate her royal authority, Hatshepsut never completely concealed her feminine identity. She used feminine titles in some official texts, which shows that her approach was complex and nuanced.
The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari is considered one of the architectural masterpieces of ancient Egypt. Its terraced structure and impressive reliefs glorify her reign and achievements.
After Hatshepsut's death, many of her representations were defaced or destroyed. However, researchers believe that these destructions were likely not entirely due to her being a woman, but rather to political considerations aimed at reinforcing the legitimacy of her successors.
Under her reign, Hatshepsut commissioned a famous trading expedition to the land of Punt—a mysterious land rich in incense, gold, and myrrh. This expedition was meticulously documented and immortalized in the reliefs of her temple.
Yes, his reign was generally regarded as very positive for ancient Egypt, marked by a prolonged period of peace and economic prosperity, an expansion of international trade, and the achievement of major architectural works that reflect effective and visionary leadership.
Hatshepsut strengthened her legitimacy by emphasizing her direct familial connection to the previous royalty, heavily playing on traditional masculine royal attributes in her representations, and achieving exemplary accomplishments such as economic prosperity, ambitious trade exchanges (like the expedition to the Land of Punt), and vast architectural constructions, including her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari.
After her death, her stepson and successor, Thutmose III, along with some of his immediate successors, had a large part of her representations and inscriptions erased. The motives could include a desire to further assert the legitimate patriarchal lineage, to erase potentially unsettling precedents of female governance, or simply to restore a more traditional vision of royal succession.
Despite a relative freedom compared to other ancient civilizations, Egyptian women generally did not attain the highest royal power on their own. The highest official positions in administration or religion were often reserved for men, creating a social and political barrier that Hatshepsut had to circumvent, primarily by using traditional masculine symbols of power for her own legitimacy.
No, it is unlikely that she adopted a masculine appearance in her daily life. However, in official and artistic representations, she intentionally used the traditional attributes of the male pharaoh to reinforce her legitimacy and assert her power among the people and the Egyptian elites.
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