If someone were to ask me to name a famous female figure of ancient Egypt, some of the names that would come to mind would be Queen Nefertiti and Queen Cleopatra, legends of ancient Egypt civilization. The name Hatshepsut would not have been among those names I 'd mention. Who was Hatshepsut and why did she merit as much recognition as the aforementioned names. What was so significant about Hatshepsut that earned her a place in ancient Egypt 's Hall of Fame? Hatshepsut, whose name meant Foremost of Noble Ladies, was one of the most remarkable women of her time. She is regarded as one of the greatest female rulers, male or female. For more than twenty years she was the ruler of one of the greatest nation in the ancient world. Although there were other female rulers of Egypt prior to and preceding Hapshepsut 's rule, she distinguished herself from the others by taking on the position and title of Pharaoh, a position that was exclusively for males. Hatshepsut even went a step further and adopted the full identity of a pharaoh by dressing in the customary clothing of a male: wearing shendyt kilt, nemes headdress with its uraeus and khat head cloth, and the traditional false beard. In a society that was male dominated, Hatshepsut showed how unique she was by successfully ruling Egypt for over twenty years. Hatshepsut challenged all conventions of the rigid customs of Egypt where no female was granted the right to rule as a "Pharaoh". She succeeded in engraving her name as the first female Pharaoh in recorded history, not only to
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create of her time in power a thriving one, but also to pave the way for other leading female figures such as; Cleopatra, and Queen Elizabeth to profoundly shape civilizations, following in her footsteps (http://www.safariegypt.com/Information/important_topics/queen_hatshepsut/info_queen_hatshepsut2.htm). Under Hatshepsut leadership Egypt prospered. Egypt 's economy thrived; she opened up new trade
Cited: Deir El-Bahri. (2007). Retrieved November 18, 2007 from (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_el-Bahri Egypt Information on Ancient Egypt. (2006). Retrieved November 18, 2007 from http://www.safariegypt.com/Information/important_topics/queen_hatshepsut/info_queen_hatshepsut2.htm Hapshepsut. 2007). Retrieved November 18, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatshepsut) Wilson, Elizabeth B. (September, 2006). The Queen Who Would Be King. Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved November 18, 2007 from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history- Queen. Retrieved October 18, 2007, from (http://witcombe.sbc.edu/menkaure/menkaurequeen.html