The Enigma of Hatshepsut

The story of Hatshepsut is at first glance simple. She was the daughter of King Thutmose I, wife of King Thutmose II and mother of his daughter, Neferura. Upon her husband’s death (c. 1479 B.C.), she became queen regent of Egypt, ruling in place of the young heir who technically occupied the throne: Thutmose III, Thutmose II’s son by another wife. Between years 2 and 7 of Thutmose III’s reign, Hatshepsut adopted the full titulary of a king and ruled as Thutmose III’s co-regent and senior partner. By regnal year 22 she had disappeared from the scene, leaving Thutmose III as the sole ruler of Egypt.