Hatshepsut
Ka-maat-Ra` Hatshepsut was the only child of Queen Aahmose and the pharaoh of the time, Tuthmosis I. She was the only legitimate successor, but was unable to succeed him because she was a woman. In order to secure the 'royal blood line' she was married to her half brother Tuthmosis II, who was born to Tuthmosis I and an inferior wife. Tuthmosis II was a frail man and did not rule for very lengthy period of time. Hatshepsut bore him two daughters but no sons. Hatshepsut was and ambitious woman and when her husband died was faced with the same problem of succession her father had. In order for Hatshepsut to fully accomplish her wish to become a pharaoh she had to overcome a great number obstacles.
"There was nothing for it but to give him the throne by marrying him to Neferura`, the royal heiress, her eldest daughter by Tuthmosis II.
Photograph of a portion of a painted relief showin...
Thutmosis III statue in Luxor Museum
Closeup shot of a large granite sphinx bearing the...In this manner Pharaoh Tuthmosis III, the future conqueror of the world, was crowned king."(1)
The first obstacle that lay in her way was her stepson Tuthmosis III. He was the child of her Husband Tuthmosis II and one of his inferior wives. Since he was the next male in line to inherit the throne he had to be dealt with. Since he was young and in no position to question her, Hatshepsut took full advantage of the situation.
In Egypt they believed that the pharaoh was a direct descendants of Ra and was appointed by Ra. Since Ra was male and it was believed that he bestowed the title of pharaoh on man not woman, Hatshepsut had to work very hard to prove to her people that he chose her and that he had not chosen her nephew. In order for her to make her...