Hatshepsut's Rule
Hatshepsut was the woman who was known for gaining the power to become king. She was the 5th pharaoh of the 18th dynasty. Hatshepsut ruled Egypt in her later years for about 21 years. Hatshepsut ruled Egypt between 1479-1458 B.C. For the first few years during her stepson, Thutmose III's, rule, Hatshepsut was entirely a conventional regent. After her seventh regnal year, she had been crowned king and adopted a full royal titulary. Not content with only the power behind the child king, Thutmose III, Hatshepsut soon proclaimed herself pharaoh and the boy was kept away from court. He was sent off to the army where he grew up. At that time in Egypt, Women had rights to property and could hold official positions. She calmed the controversy of her rule by saying that soon after her father's death, he named her successor to the throne. To support her cause, she said that the god Amun (the patron deity of Thebes and King of the Gods of Egypt) had taken the form of her father and visited her mother, and she herself was the result of a divine union.
Knowing that her power grab was highly controversial, Hatshepsut fought to retain her legitimacy pointing to her royal lineage and claiming that her father had appointed her his successor. An essential element of her success was her loyal group of officials, many of them handpicked, and all of whom controlled key positions of governments.
Knowing that her power grab was highly controversial, Hatshepsut fought to retain her legitimacy pointing to her royal lineage and claiming that her father had appointed her his successor. An essential element of her success was her loyal group of officials, many of them handpicked, and all of whom controlled key positions of governments.