Describe the Relationship Between Hatshepsut and Thutmose Iii
Section III – personalities in Their Times
2007
Question 14 – Option A – Egypt: Hatshepsut
a) Describe the relationship between Hatshepsut and Thutmose III?
There are many contradicting views and interpretations in regards to the relationship Hatshepsut had with Thuthmose III. Hatshepsut had ruled with Thuthmose III for over 10 years, it is definitely evident that Hatshepsut was the senior Pharaoh in the co-regency. However, the nature of their relationship is not entirely known. Some of the perceptions are that Thutmose III was frustrated and resentful towards Hatshepsut and that she was the ‘evil stepmother’. However there is also much evidence to support the idea that Thutmose III was completely fine with the co-regency, as he knew that he would assume the throne when Hatshepsut had passed away and things were working well in the co-regency.
Even though Hatshepsut was the senior partner in the co-regency, the surviving inscriptions indicate that she accorded Thuthmose III the respect to which he was entitled. Throughout the co-regency it seems that Hatshepsut was careful to show her young partner the respect he was entitled to, even though she was almost invariably shown as the dominant pharaoh. Hatshepsut and Thuthmose III appear in many reliefs and inscriptions together. In a relief on a building in western Thebes, Hatshepsut and Thutmose III are depicted worshiping Amun-Re together. Thutmose III’s private thoughts about Hatshepsut are unknown; it appears that he did not challenge Hatshepsut’s authority. Historian Steindorf believes that, “It must have been much against his will that the energetic young Thutmose III watched from the side lines the high-handed rule of the pharaoh Hatshepsut and the chancellorship of the upstart Senenmut. Surely a collision was inevitable between the maturing strength and the resentment of the young king and the waning powers of the queen”. Evidence for a hostile relationship between Hatshepsut and
2007
Question 14 – Option A – Egypt: Hatshepsut
a) Describe the relationship between Hatshepsut and Thutmose III?
There are many contradicting views and interpretations in regards to the relationship Hatshepsut had with Thuthmose III. Hatshepsut had ruled with Thuthmose III for over 10 years, it is definitely evident that Hatshepsut was the senior Pharaoh in the co-regency. However, the nature of their relationship is not entirely known. Some of the perceptions are that Thutmose III was frustrated and resentful towards Hatshepsut and that she was the ‘evil stepmother’. However there is also much evidence to support the idea that Thutmose III was completely fine with the co-regency, as he knew that he would assume the throne when Hatshepsut had passed away and things were working well in the co-regency.
Even though Hatshepsut was the senior partner in the co-regency, the surviving inscriptions indicate that she accorded Thuthmose III the respect to which he was entitled. Throughout the co-regency it seems that Hatshepsut was careful to show her young partner the respect he was entitled to, even though she was almost invariably shown as the dominant pharaoh. Hatshepsut and Thuthmose III appear in many reliefs and inscriptions together. In a relief on a building in western Thebes, Hatshepsut and Thutmose III are depicted worshiping Amun-Re together. Thutmose III’s private thoughts about Hatshepsut are unknown; it appears that he did not challenge Hatshepsut’s authority. Historian Steindorf believes that, “It must have been much against his will that the energetic young Thutmose III watched from the side lines the high-handed rule of the pharaoh Hatshepsut and the chancellorship of the upstart Senenmut. Surely a collision was inevitable between the maturing strength and the resentment of the young king and the waning powers of the queen”. Evidence for a hostile relationship between Hatshepsut and