Archive: Hatshepsut
Summary
Melvin Bragg discusses Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh who ruled ancient Egypt as a king, with experts Elizabeth Frude, Kate Spence, and Campbell Price. They explore her rise to power, monumental building projects like Deir el-Bahri, and the trade expedition to Punt. The episode also covers her chief official Senenmut and the later erasure of her legacy by her stepson, Thutmose III.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and podcast introduction
Introduction to Hatshepsut and the mystery of her erasure
Historical context: The Hyksos and the New Kingdom
Precedents for female rule and regency in Egypt
Hatshepsut's lineage and marriage to Thutmose II
The power and wealth of the God's Wife of Amun title
Hatshepsut's rise from regent to Pharaoh
The Red Chapel and the declaration of kingship
Monumental building projects at Deir el-Bahari
The expedition to Punt and trade expansion
Senenmut: Architect, tutor, and court official
Religious innovation and royal legitimacy
The erasure of Hatshepsut from history
Bonus: Graffiti, gender, and modern legacy
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