Hatshepsut, which means “chieftain of noble women,” is the only woman known to have actually ruled Kemet as the Living Horus (pharaoh), and is seen as the greatest female ruler of all time. She became a queen in the middle of the Eighteenth Dynasty, during the period of Kemets New Kingdom. She was both brilliant and beautiful. She was a lover of peace but became a fierce warrior when Kemet was threatened by enemies. She possessed a great curiosity about foreign people and distant lands. She was loved, admired and respected both by the masses and elites of ancient Kemet. In September 1650 BC, Thutmose 1, her father, elevated her to the position of co-regent. Her father, was the conqueror of the known world and when he was stricken with paralysis, Hatshepsut became his chief aide. So efficient did she prove that in time he entrusted her with the management of the kingdom. “This daughter, Hatshepsut, the Loving One, I put in my place...henceforth she shall guide you. Listen to her words and submit unanimously to her commands. Whoever adores her, I will adore, but he who speaks evil against Her Majesty will die.” Following this in 1628 BC, she became the Great Royal Wife of Thutmose ll. In 1615 BC, she ruled as Queen-Regent for Thutmoses lll but later deposed him. She proclaimed herself, pharaoh in his place and took the religious titles, the female Horus and the daughter of RA. I have done this with a loving heart for my father AMEN; Initiated in his secret of the beginning, Acquainted with his beneficent might, I did not forget whatever he had ordained. My majesty knows his divinty, I acted under his command; It was he who led me, I did not plan a work without his doing, It was he who gave directions... Regarded as the greatest queen of Kemet, Hatshepsut often dressed in royal male attire, including a false beard and wig to rule also as king. She held the throne of the world’s leading empire longer than any other woman of an indigenous Kemetic dynasty. She was also deeply spiritual and commissioned awe-inspiring construction projects in honor of the Neters (Gods). At Karnak she erected two giant obelisks that rose to almost 100 feet. In Deir-el-Bahri, she built her celebrated rock-hewn temple dedicated to Amen, Anubis and Het-Heru (Hathor). In this temple are records of her famous maritime voyage to Punt (i.e. possibly Somalia or Ethiopia). Hatshepsut had built a great merchant navy for both commerce and war, sent out expeditions, expanded foreign trade, and forged international diplomatic relations. She was also able to effect changes within Kemet, supporting the arts and encouraging historical preservation. Hatshepsut also rode into battle, although there were not many major wars during her reign, there was a Nubian revolt. One ancient scribe recounted Hatshepsuts military accomplishment: I followed the good god. The Living Horus of Upper and Lower Kemet, may she live! I saw when she overthreew the Nubian Bowmen and when their kings were brought to her as living captives. Hatshepsut died as she was approaching what we would consider middle age. The precise date of Hatshepsuts death—and the time when Thutmose lll became the next pharaoh of Kemet—is considered to be Year 22, II Peret day 10 of her reign, as recorded on a single stela erected at Armant or January 16, 1458 BC. Source: Worlds Great Men of Color by J. A. Rogers Great Black Leaders: ancient and modern by Ivan Van Sertima When We Ruled by Robin Walker Black Women in Antiquity by Ivan Van Sertima en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatshepsut
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:56:24 +0000
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