History Extra Podcast — "Hatshepsut: Life of the Week"
Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Emily Brifix Campbell
Guest: Dr. Campbell Price (Egyptologist)
Episode Overview
This episode of History Extra's "Life of the Week" series offers an insightful deep dive into the life and legacy of Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt’s most extraordinary rulers and one of its few female pharaohs. Host Emily Brifix Campbell is joined by Egyptologist Dr. Campbell Price to unpack Hatshepsut’s ascent from royal princess to pharaoh, her innovative rule, building projects, and the changing perceptions of her memory across history.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why Hatshepsut? (03:50–05:36)
- Dr. Price praises Hatshepsut’s underappreciated, yet significant, status compared to better-known rulers like Tutankhamun or Cleopatra.
- Quote:
“She is a fascinating, very powerful lady who ruled Egypt pretty successfully for over 20 years. And I would love to know what she was actually like.”
— Dr. Campbell Price (04:44)
2. Challenges of Ancient Biography (05:36–06:33)
- Both speakers caution against reading too much modern-style personality into ancient figures; direct evidence about Hatshepsut's innermost motivations is scarce.
3. Early Life and Family Dynamics (06:33–09:26)
- Hatshepsut was born a royal princess to Thutmose I and Queen Ahmose during Egypt’s powerful 18th dynasty.
- Egyptian royal successions were complex and often tangled; Hatshepsut married her half-brother Thutmose II ("Tut, mostly useless"), with whom she had her daughter, Neferure.
- Dr. Price notes, “He’s sometimes unkindly been described as tut, mostly useless.” (08:11)
4. Dynasty and Historical Setting (08:40–09:26)
- Hatshepsut belonged to the 18th Dynasty, the start of the New Kingdom — a period of imperial expansion and monumental building in Egypt.
5. Stepping into Power: Regent to Pharaoh (09:42–13:47)
- Transition of Power:
- After Thutmose II’s early death, Hatshepsut became regent for the child Thutmose III.
- Dr. Price details new archaeological finds confirming Hatshepsut’s prominent role in organizing her husband’s burial, an unusual responsibility for a woman of the time.
- Regency and Ascendancy:
- Trusted royal women often governed during child kingships or male absences.
- Hatshepsut formalized her power—transitioning from regent to taking the full mantle of pharaoh, adopting the full titulary and kingly symbols.
6. Legitimization and Innovation (13:47–15:45)
- Hatshepsut shrewdly shared kingship—dating years and official acts—from Thutmose III’s accession, maintaining a veneer of tradition while asserting her dominance.
- She referenced female kingship precedents, like Sobekneferu, showing her knowledge of Egyptian history.
7. The Power of Depiction and PR (18:28–22:50)
- Dr. Price discusses how Hatshepsut’s transformation in royal art—from feminine to fully kingly male—was less about deceit and more about fitting the established symbolic language of Egyptian kingship.
- Quote:
“The only way to be shown as a legitimate pharaoh is to be shown in a male guise.… What you’re seeing is a mask of kingship. It’s not the actual face of this person.”
— Dr. Campbell Price (20:27) - Hatshepsut was a master of public image, expertly blending tradition and innovation with the help of her chief official and possible 'spin doctor,' Senenmut.
8. Inner Circle and Power Structure (22:50–24:06)
- Other key figures included User Amun (vizier), high priests, and palace officials, forming a powerful administrative team both empowering and empowered by Hatshepsut.
9. The Co-Rulership with Thutmose III (24:06–26:16)
- Power dynamics likely fluctuated; though records emphasize Hatshepsut, sharing the throne might've been a strategic move to secure Thutmose III’s ultimate succession.
- Quote:
“In some ways I like to think Thutmose III actually rather loved Hatshepsut. And she taught him how to be the king.”
— Dr. Campbell Price (25:34)
10. Hatshepsut’s Erasure: Damnatio Memoriae (26:16–29:25)
- The infamous destruction of Hatshepsut’s images and names did not begin until at least 20 years after her death, likely as a dynastic maneuver by Thutmose III to strengthen his son’s legitimacy.
- Dr. Price underlines that resentment wasn't necessarily personal:
“If you really hated someone, why would you wait 20 years to get rid of their name and their image?” (26:46) - Despite attempted erasure, Hatshepsut remained in popular memory; namesakes and her temple endured.
11. A Golden Era: Prosperity, Power & Building (29:25–31:02)
- Hatshepsut’s reign was marked by both prosperity and power.
- Contrary to gendered assumptions, she could be ruthless, displaying herself as a sphinx trampling enemies, making threats in inscriptions.
12. Monumental Legacy (31:02–34:34)
- Deir el-Bahari: Her mortuary (or “mansion of millions of years”) temple near Luxor is one of Egypt’s most iconic and graceful structures, replete with innovations and architectural echoes of her predecessors.
- Obelisks at Karnak: Hatshepsut herself stresses the importance of crediting her with these achievements.
- Quote:
“I have done this. I'm telling you this so as people in the future will not be ignorant and they will know it is me who has built these things.” (From base of obelisk, cited by Dr. Price, 33:33)
- Quote:
- Names: Beyond her own, she assumed multiple titles meant to reinforce divine kingship.
- “Divine of Appearances” — highlighting her association with divinity and performance of kingly duties. (34:41)
13. International Relations: The Punt Expedition (35:49–38:14)
- Hatshepsut’s trading expeditions to Punt brought back exotic animals and goods, depicted in detailed temple reliefs.
- Impressive maritime logistics, possibly the earliest Egyptian ventures into seafaring trade.
- Dr. Price describes the feat of “flat-packing” ships for Red Sea crossings as a testament to Hatshepsut’s ambition.
14. Firsts and Innovations (38:14–39:48)
- Hatshepsut likely founded the Valley of the Kings as a royal burial ground.
- She was also the first to commission massive avenues and collections of sphinxes at her temples.
15. End of Life and Uncertainty (39:48–41:48)
- Unclear circumstances around Hatshepsut’s death; possibly natural, perhaps not. Her mummy’s identification remains disputed.
- She was omitted from later king lists, but still revered in Egyptian folk memory.
16. Modern Rediscovery & Reputation (41:48–44:05)
- 19th-century Egyptology, especially by Jean François Champollion, was vital in recognizing Hatshepsut’s unique status.
- Dr. Price notes her rehabilitation in the modern era—her temple’s popularity, biographies, and even pop culture (e.g., Tina Turner believed herself Hatshepsut reincarnated).
- Quote:
“I think she deserves a proper film. Forget another Cleopatra film—you need [a Hatshepsut film] because there’s so much evidence, and there’s a lot of drama.”
— Dr. Campbell Price (43:48)
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “She starts adding names like right, left and center.… while this toddler is still running about the palace nursery, I am going to be the king.”
— Dr. Campbell Price (12:56) - “Her mother had sexual relations with a God … but this is standard fare that the pharaoh in Egypt says, ‘I’m the son of the chief God, the God Amun.’”
— Dr. Campbell Price (33:10) - “What you’re seeing is a mask of kingship. It’s not the actual face of this person.”
— Dr. Campbell Price (20:27) - “She is often defined by the damage that was inflicted on a lot of her monuments. But … she was never totally written out. There is a reverberation of this incredible woman’s life and reign.”
— Dr. Campbell Price (28:48) - “Tina Turner believed she was Hatshepsut reincarnated.”
— Dr. Campbell Price (43:33)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Intro to Hatshepsut & Context: 03:50–05:36
- Family Background & Dynastic Placement: 06:33–09:26
- Becoming Regent, then Pharaoh: 09:42–13:47
- Depiction, Image, and Gender: 18:28–21:19
- Inner Circle & Senenmut: 21:30–22:53
- Co-Regency Dynamics: 24:06–26:16
- Erasure & Legacy: 26:16–29:25
- Building Projects & Obelisks: 31:02–34:34
- Trading Expeditions to Punt: 35:49–38:14
- Death, Burial, and Omission from History: 39:48–41:48
- Rediscovery & Modern Fame: 41:48–44:05
Closing Thoughts
This rich, engaging episode gives listeners a full narrative arc: Hatshepsut’s extraordinary rise, her strategy and image-making, innovative projects, and the later suppression—and eventual revival—of her legacy. Dr. Price’s scholarly yet lively tone, combined with Campbell’s clear, accessible questioning, ensures that Hatshepsut emerges as a vivid, complex historical figure well deserving of renewed attention.
For more on ancient Egypt, check out the podcast series "Ancient Egypt: Big Questions" or History Extra Podcast’s YouTube channel.