The concept of iconography in Egypt emanated with the discovery of Hatshepsut's reign which was historic and unique. In an attempt to fit into the description of the ideal pharaoh, Hatshepsut managed to change her icon and character to be in line with the expectations of the society. This essay has categorized the chronological events and stages that she underwent to become a pharaoh and her subsequent legacy. Furthermore, it strives to expound more on the concept of iconography in the mid-18th century Egypt and the role of the French under Napoleon's rule in further highlighting Hatshepsut's reigns and Egypt's legacy. Cumulatively, this essay analyzes the life, achievements, and legacy that Hatshepsut left behind and the efforts by Thuthmose III her predecessor to wipe out all the evidence of her leadership and place among the Egyptian Pharaohs.
Introduction
Historically, the role of women in different societies has constantly changed with the eras. While some ancient societies placed an emphasis on the women some were predominantly patriarchal. Ancient Egypt is one of the societies that acknowledged and emphasized on the role of the women in their society. While the women in ancient Egypt were comparative to their male counterparts in many aspects like the ownership of property, they were locked out in administrative and leadership positions. However, an archeological discovery in the mid-18th century found otherwise. The findings exhumed substantial evidence that linked some women like Hatshepsut to leadership positions. The mythical depiction of Hatshepsut brought about a different concept on the role of women and leadership in the seemingly patriarchal ancient Egypt. Hatshepsut's reign in ancient Egypt changed the perception of Egyptian society on women in the 18th century through Hatshepsut's iconographic transformation from a female ruler to the status of a pharaoh.
The name Hatshepsut translates to "First among noble women" or "spirit of harmony and truth" in the ancient Egyptian culture. Archeologists come to the conclusion that Hatshepsut's reign lasted roughly for 21 years. They equally state that she was the fifth ruler of the of the 18th Egyptian dynasty.[1]
Hatshepsut was the offspring of Thuthmose I and Queen Ahmose. However, just like it was common among the Egyptians, Hatshepsut married her half-brother Thuthmose II so that she could assume a royalty position. It was after her marriage that Hatshepsut propelled herself to the position of a pharaoh. However, during her time, the position of the pharaoh was designated for the men and hence she was forced to change her mode of operation and approach to leadership from that of a female to that of a man which saw her build structures and change policies that would support her newly found power and influence.
Figure (1). Jones Alfred. (2018). The role and power of women in ancient Egypt. Historic Mysteries. Retrieved 21st march 2018 from https://www.historicmysteries.com/role-of-women-in-ancient-egypt/
The Egyptian perspective of iconography developed and changed in the 18th during the French's reign in Egypt. Although the practice has been available and in use for nearly three millennia, it became pronounced and acknowledged as a new form of art in Egypt in the 18th century after the discovery of the remains of Hatshepsut in her tomb. [2]Napoleon's invasion of Egypt was not just a military conquest but he was accompanied by a group of scientists who and the specific instructions of documenting the flora, fauna, people, their cultural practices and the geographical appearance of Egypt.[3]
Napoleon later changed the outlook of Egypt in the eyes of the western eyes which gave birth to the concept of Egyptology. In the process of conquering Egypt, Napoleon discovered a rich cultural heritage in the ancient Egypt which he later incorporated into the French society through some structures like the Foire du Caire in Paris. Napoleon used the artifacts that he obtained from Egypt to symbolize strength and the success of France as an empire like those that existed before it. Napoleon's Egyptian influence had a spill-over effect in his home country as more structures and architectural designs borrowed from the Egyptians were developed to honor the French empire.
The traditional Egyptian male monarchy
In ancient Egypt, the New Kingdom era which lasted from (c.1570-c.1069 BCE) is also estimated to be the era of Hatshepsut's reign which lasted for approximately 21 years before her death and the takeover of Thuthmose III. During the reign of Ahmose and Thutmose I, the rulers started creating buffer zones that were supposed to keep invaders out of the Egyptian territory at the time. The reign of Hatshepsut, however, was controversial as it had gone against the Egyptian code of ethics of rulers who were predominantly male since the era of Osiris. Despite the lack of a structural and bureaucratic arrangement and acceptance for a female pharaoh, Hatshepsut went ahead and became an Egyptian leader. The actions of Hatshepsut preceded the previous notion and title of "god's wife of Amun" which was bestowed on the women who served important religious functions and participated in ceremonies alongside the high priest in Amun at the time. The role of "god's wife" was, therefore, set aside for either the wife or daughter of the King and Hatshepsut being directly from the royal family was immediately initiated into the role by her mother Ahmose. Hatshepsut's ascent into power has changed the initial outlook and perceptions of the status of the pharaoh in ancient Egypt which was primarily reserved for the male people with the royal blood and hence she felt indebted and in the process decided to assume a male role in the course of her reign.
Figure 2. Mark Joshua. (2012). Queen Hatshepsut: Daughter of Amun, Pharaoh of Egypt. Ancient History Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 21st march 2018 from https://www.ancient.eu/article/118/queen-hatshepsut-daughter-of-amun-pharaoh-of-egypt/
How Hatshepsut rose to power.
Being the eldest daughter of king Thuthmose I and his wife queen Ahmose, Hatshepsut was groomed for the royal seat after marriage with her stepbrother Thuthmose II. Thuthmose II died at an early age but after siring Thuthmose III with one of his other wives.[4]
According to the ancient Egyptian customs, Hatshepsut was considered the queen as she led alongside Thuthmose III until he came of age 22 years later. However, after a few years into her position as the queen, Hatshepsut decided to assume the full powers of the pharaoh and hence became a king of the Egyptians. Although some Egyptologists claim that her actions were merely driven by her desire and zeal to become a pharaoh others claim that she must have responded to an impending threat of succession to the royal family and hence acted quickly so as to protect a place for her stepson who later married her daughter Neferure.
Although Hatshepsut married her daughter Neferure to Thuthmose III she still felt dissatisfied and hence desired to convince and impress the Egyptian court and people through a change of character and appearance. Hatshepsut, for instance, decided to dress in male attire and assumed the duties of the pharaoh and this not only impressed her subjects but made them admire her. There is evidence showing the assertions of Hatshepsut which claimed that she was not only god's wife but was related to god Amun himself as she was his daughter. In order to fully match to her title, Hatshepsut mastered the religious ceremonies and language of the clergy and hence participated in every religious event that was meant to appease the gods.[5]
Hatshepsut's participation and mastery of the religious ceremonies automatically made her a daughter of the god as opposed to the semi-divine affiliation that she would assume as the wife of the god. She additionally inscribed an oracle which she claimed that was given to Amun prior to her birth and it stated that she would become a pharaoh. Hatshepsut ordered to be portrayed as a male pharaoh with large muscles and in male regalia through paintings and portraits. In an attempt to fully secure her throne, Hatshepsut decided to surround herself with influential powerful people like Senenmut who was her chief minister and some claims state that they might have been lovers.
Figure 3. Mark Joshua. (2012). Queen Hatshepsut: Daughter of Amun, Pharaoh of Egypt. Ancient History Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 21st march 2018 from https://www.ancient.eu/article/118/queen-hatshepsut-daughter-of-amun-pharaoh-of-egypt/
During her reign as Pharaoh, Hatshepsut made immense developments and progress that marveled the ancient and contemporary Egyptians and the entire world.[6] Hatshepsut's reign was accompanied by rampant developments like the building of an exquisite temple at Dier el-Bahri next to the mortuary temple of Montuhotep I. However, Egyptologists affirm that during her reign she feminized Egypt as Egypt's military weakened because there were no conquests.[7] Hatshepsut's reign was known for the most building projects in the Egyptian history. Hatshepsut is also recorded to have sent people on expeditions in Puntland which s modern-day Somalia where they came back with seedlings that were later transplanted to the temple she had built. Other historical sources link her to various military attacks that were orchestrated against the Syrians and the Nubians. Additionally, Hatshepsut managed to establish strong lasting trading expeditions with the countries south of Egypt that enable her empire access certain vital products like leopard skin, ebony, ivory, gold, and incense.
Egyptologists estimate that Hatshepsut died at around (1458 B.C) when she would be a middle-aged woman and was buried in the valley of kings. Hatshepsut further ordered her father's Sarcophagus to be reburied in her tomb so as to further legitimize her role and place amidst the other Egyptian pharaohs.[8] Despite the efforts made by Hatshepsut to build Egypt and paint a different image of her true self, her stepson, Thuthmose III destroyed a lot of evidence that linked her as the Egyptian Pharaoh mainly because he did not approve of her place in history as a female pharaoh. It was not until 1822 where Egyptologists discovered her remains and found substantial evidence linking her to leadership and pharaoh among the other Egyptians.
The discovery of Hatshepsut and her reign in the 19th century revolutionized the aspect of iconography with regard to her role as pharaoh in ancient Egypt. The French invasion of Egypt brought a new perspective and approach to how the ancient Egyptians perceived Hatshepsut's rule. Although the place of the pharaoh in ancient Egypt was mainly reserved for the men, Hatshepsut found her way in as she was a part of the royal family through blood and marriage. As a ruler, she later became the pharaoh and managed to change her appearance and style of leadership to suit that of the traditional pharaohs. Her reign was iconic in terms of architectural designs which further popularized Egypt and brought it to the attention of the world. It was Hatshepsut's effort to change her identity and become more manly that later revolutionized the role and perception of women in ancient Egypt through modern iconography.
Bibliography
Cline, Eric H. 2006. Thutmose III: a new biography. Ann Arbor, Mich: Univ. of Michigan Press.
Eaverly, Mary Ann. 2013. Tan men/pale women: color and gender in archaic Greece and Egypt, a comparative approach.
Fletcher, Joann. 2017. The story of Egypt: the civilization that shaped the world. Pegasus.
Jones Alfred. (2018). The role and power of women in ancient Egypt. Historic Mysteries. Retrieved 21st march 2018 from https://www.historicmysteries.com/role-of-women-in-ancient-egypt/
Mark Joshua. (2012). Queen Hatshepsut: Daughter of Amun, Pharaoh of Egypt. Ancient History Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 21st march 2018 from https://www.ancient.eu/article/118/queen-hatshepsut-daughter-of-amun-pharaoh-of-egypt/
National Geographic Society (U.S.), and Jay I. Kislak Collection (Library of Congress). 1888. The National geographic magazine. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society. National Geographic Society (U.S.), and Jay I. Kislak Collection (Library of Congress). 1888. The National geographic magazine. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.
Roehrig, Catharine H. 2005. Hatshepsut: from Queen to Pharaoh; [in conjunction with the Exhibition "Hatshepsut: From Queen to Pharaoh", held at the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco / De Young from October 15, 2005, to February 5, 2006; at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, from March 28 to July 9, 2006; and the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, from August 27 to December 31, 2006]. New York, N.Y.: Metropolitan Museum of Art [u.a.].
List of pictures
Figure (1). Jones Alfred. (2018). The role and power of women in ancient Egypt. Historic Mysteries. Retrieved 21st march 2018 from https://www.historicmysteries.com/role-of-women-in-ancient-egypt/
Figure 2. Mark Joshua. (2012). Queen Hatshepsut: Daughter of Amun, Pharaoh of Egypt. Ancient History Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 21st march 2018 from https://www.ancient.eu/article/118/queen-hatshepsut-daughter-of-amun-pharaoh-of-egypt/
Figure 3. Mark Joshua. (2012). Queen Hatshepsut: Daughter of Amun, Pharaoh of Egypt. Ancient History Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 21st march 2018 from https://www.ancient.eu/article/118/queen-hatshepsut-daughter-of-amun-pharaoh-of-egypt/
[1] Eaverly, Mary Ann. 2013. Tan men/pale women: color and gender in archaic Greece and Egypt, a comparative approach.
[2]
Jones Alfred. (2018). The role and power of women in ancient Egypt. Historic Mysteries. Retrieved 21st march 2018 from https://www.historicmysteries.com/role-of-women-in-ancient-egypt/
[3] Cline, Eric H. 2006. Thutmose III: a new biography. Ann Arbor, Mich: Univ. of Michigan Press.
[4] Mark Joshua. (2012). Queen Hatshepsut: Daughter of Amun, Pharaoh of Egypt. Ancient History Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 21st march 2018 from https://www.ancient.eu/article/118/queen-hatshepsut-daughter-of-amun-pharaoh-of-egypt/
[5] Roehrig, Catharine H. 2005. Hatshepsut: from Queen to Pharaoh; [in conjunction with the Exhibition "Hatshepsut: From Queen to Pharaoh", held at the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco / De Young from October 15, 2005, to February 5, 2006; at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, from March 28 to July 9, 2006; and the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, from August 27 to December 31, 2006]. New York, N.Y.: Metropolitan Museum of Art [u.a.].
[6] Mark Joshua. (2012). Queen Hatshepsut: Daughter of Amun, Pharaoh of Egypt. Ancient History Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 21st march 2018 from https://www.ancient.eu/article/118/queen-hatshepsut-daughter-of-amun-pharaoh-of-egypt/
[7] Fletcher, Joann. 2017. The story of Egypt: the civilization that shaped the world. Pegasus.
[8]
National Geographic Society (U.S.), and Jay I. Kislak Collection (Library of Congress). 1888. The National geographic magazine. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society. National Geographic Society (U.S.), and Jay I. Kislak Collection (Library of Congress). 1888. The National geographic magazine. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.
