Daughter of Thutmose I and widow of Thutmose II, Hatshepsut acted as regent for her young stepson Thutmose III before taking the full titles of king. Her reign was prosperous and largely peaceful, focused on trade and building.
Her mortuary temple, Djeser-Djeseru (“Holiest of Holies”), rises in terraces against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Late in Thutmose III’s reign many of her images were removed from monuments, which is why her memory had to be pieced back together by modern Egyptologists.
Key achievements
- Ruled first as regent for Thutmose III, then as a fully crowned pharaoh.
- Sent a trading expedition to the land of Punt, recorded in detail on her temple walls.
- Built Djeser-Djeseru at Deir el-Bahari and raised twin obelisks at Karnak.
