Why was Hatshepsut successful despite the gender roles of ancient Egypt?
Plan of Investigation:
The purpose of the investigation is to determine the factors that allowed queen Hatshepsut to stay in power for fifteen years. The main focus will be on her strategic actions. The investigation will focus on her male portrayal in art and writing. It will focus on her grand building projects such as her obelisks. It will also focus on her lucrative trade with foreign kingdoms such as Punt. The investigation is focusing on how she stayed in power, not how she got there. The evidence will be gathered from a variety of sources, taking into consideration that some evidence may be just theories, and some evidence may be slightly outdated. Sources will vary in content from articles about Hatshepsut’s genius trade projects, to information regarding the events leading up to and after her reign. All the sources will be made by experts, or at least by a reputable publisher. An analysis of these professionally written biographies and opinions will lead to a conclusion of why Hatshepsut was so successful, and to what degree each strategic action helped with her success.
Summary of Evidence:
Hatshepsut was the only living child of the Pharaoh Thutmose and his primary wife Ahmes. She was married to her half brother, Thutmose II, son of her father and a secondary wife. Thutmose II and Hatshepsut were unable to produce a son. When Thutmose II died, a son from a secondary wife was chosen. Hatshepsut’s nephew, Thutmose III, was too young to rule by himself, so Hatshepsut became regent for the young king. With Thutmose III preoccupied with military training, Hatshepsut would crown herself king. Hatshepsut and her nephew Thutmose III were now co-rulers, with Hatshepsut in reality being the one with all the power.
Hatshepsut enlisted a man named Senenmut to be in charge of her royal building projects. In temple art and inscriptions, Hatshepsut was often depicted...