La FASCINANTE HISTORIA de HATSHEPSUT

Summary

This video delves into the fascinating reign of Hatshepsut, particularly focusing on the third phase of her rule. The script covers her collaboration with Thutmose III, where he is depicted as her co-regent in royal iconography. It also explores her monumental tomb (KV20) in the Valley of the Kings, suggesting she may have pioneered royal burials in the valley. Additionally, the video sheds light on Hatshepsut's legitimization tactics, utilizing her father’s legacy, and discusses the later defacement of her memory by Thutmose III and Amenhotep II. The speaker also highlights a comprehensive online course dedicated to her reign, offered by their Egyptology academy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hatshepsut is a key figure in ancient Egypt, and the speaker has a dedicated course in their Egyptology academy that delves deeply into her reign.
• 😀 The course on Hatshepsut spans six modules and more than six hours of content, covering aspects of her reign, methodology, and debates around her rule.
• 😀 In the third phase of her reign, Hatshepsut reintroduced her nephew, Thutmose III, into the royal program, preparing him to eventually rule alone.
• 😀 The iconography during this time shows Thutmose III appearing behind Hatshepsut, indicating her role in mentoring him rather than co-ruling as equals.
• 😀 Hatshepsut’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings (KV20) is the largest tomb there and is the subject of debate regarding whether she or Thutmose I initiated its construction.
• 😀 Some scholars believe Hatshepsut constructed the tomb herself, thus establishing the tradition of pharaohs being buried in the Valley of the Kings.
• 😀 The reuse of Thutmose I's coffin for Hatshepsut and her father’s reburial in the tomb suggests a strong connection to her legitimacy and the royal lineage.
• 😀 Hatshepsut legitimized her rule by claiming that her father, Thutmose I, had chosen her as his heir, reinforcing her right to the throne.
• 😀 The 'damnatio memoriae' of Hatshepsut, which involved erasing her name from monuments, is traditionally seen as an act of revenge by Thutmose III for her ambitious rule.
• 😀 Recent discoveries in Karnak Temple suggest that Thutmose III only enacted the memory erasure late in his reign, likely for political reasons related to securing his son's succession.
• 😀 The condemnation of Hatshepsut's memory continued under Amenhotep II, adding to the mystery surrounding the reasons behind the erasure of her legacy.

Q & A

What is the focus of the course offered in the Egyptology academy?

The course focuses on Hatshepsut, diving deep into various aspects of her reign, including her methodology, debates, and the key elements of her legacy. It consists of six modules and over six hours of content.

How did Hatshepsut involve Thutmose III in her rule during the later stages of her reign?

Hatshepsut began involving her nephew, Thutmose III, in her governance around the 14th year of her reign. However, he was not depicted as an equal; instead, the iconography shows Thutmose III behind her, symbolizing her role in preparing him to rule on his own in the future.

What is the significance of the tomb KV20 in the Valley of the Kings?

KV20 is Hatshepsut’s tomb and is the largest in the Valley of the Kings. It was constructed with the intention of being close to her funerary temple at Deir el-Bahari, though there is debate about whether it was initiated by Hatshepsut or Thutmose I.

Why is there debate over who built Hatshepsut’s tomb, KV20?

Some scholars believe Thutmose I may have been the one to initiate the tomb, while others argue Hatshepsut herself constructed it. This debate arises from the tomb's proximity to her funerary temple and historical evidence pointing to Thutmose I’s burial practices.

What role did Hatshepsut’s father, Thutmose I, play in legitimizing her reign?

Hatshepsut legitimized her rule by claiming that Thutmose I had chosen her as his heir, thereby reinforcing her right to rule as Pharaoh. This connection to her father was an important aspect of her political and royal identity.

What does the term 'Abandonatio Memoriae' refer to in Hatshepsut’s case?

The 'Abandonatio Memoriae' refers to the erasure of Hatshepsut's name and legacy from monuments and statues, which some earlier scholars believed was a revenge tactic by Thutmose III. However, recent research suggests it only occurred later in his reign and might have been linked to succession issues.

How does the video challenge traditional views on the erasure of Hatshepsut's memory?

The video challenges the traditional interpretation that Thutmose III erased Hatshepsut’s memory out of revenge. It suggests that the memory erasure was actually a late decision in his reign, possibly related to securing the succession for his son, Amenhotep II.

What archaeological discoveries have influenced the current understanding of Hatshepsut's memory erasure?

Recent findings at the Karnak Temple have shown that the erasure of Hatshepsut’s legacy did not occur immediately after Thutmose III’s rule began. This has led to a revised understanding that the 'Abandonatio Memoriae' was likely applied towards the end of his reign, rather than as a direct act of vengeance.

What does the speaker offer in the Egyptology academy’s online courses?

The speaker offers 13 courses on various aspects of ancient Egyptian history and culture, including specialized masterclasses. Students can receive guidance and feedback from professors, helping them deepen their understanding of Egyptology.

Why is it significant that Hatshepsut’s tomb is located close to her temple at Deir el-Bahari?

The location of Hatshepsut’s tomb near her temple at Deir el-Bahari suggests that she may have intentionally chosen this spot to be near her religious and political center, emphasizing the closeness between her royal identity and her afterlife.