SYMHC Classics: Hatshepsut

Podcast: Stuff You Missed in History Class
Hosts: Holly Fry & Tracy B. Wilson
Release Date: April 26, 2025

Introduction to Hatshepsut and Ancient Egypt

The episode opens with Holly Fry introducing the fascinating figure of Hatshepsut, an extraordinary female pharaoh of ancient Egypt. Tracy B. Wilson sets the stage by acknowledging the scarcity of African history episodes, emphasizing their intent to shed light on Hatshepsut's remarkable journey and her famed expedition to Punt.

Holly Fry [02:10]: "Happy Saturday. One of the finds on our recent installment of Unearthed was a pair of tombs that likely belonged to Thutmose II, half brother and husband."

The 18th Dynasty and Hatshepsut's Ascension

Tracy dives into the historical context of the 18th Dynasty, highlighting prominent pharaohs like Amenhotep III, Akhenaten, and Tutankhamun. She explains the dynastic traditions, including the commonly practiced sibling marriages to consolidate power.

Tracy B. Wilson [04:43]: "Hatshepsut was pharaoh near the start of the New Kingdom, which started with the founding of the 18th ruling dynasty."

Holly provides a brief genealogy, outlining how Hatshepsut ascended to power following the untimely death of her husband, Thutmose II, and the infancy of their stepson, Thutmose III.

Holly Fry [06:54]: "When Thutmose died, He and Amose had one daughter, Hatshepsut."

Hatshepsut's Regency and Rise to Power

Initially acting as regent for the young Thutmose III, Hatshepsut maintained stability by engaging in typical regent activities such as temple restoration and organizing expeditions.

Tracy B. Wilson [08:49]: "For the first few years after her husband's death, Hatshepsut's conduct as regent was pretty typical for the time as well."

However, in the seventh year of her regency, a pivotal moment occurs when she claims divine endorsement to rule as pharaoh alongside her stepson.

Holly Fry [09:37]: "But by the seventh year of her regency, that had started to change. She reported that the oracle of Amun had delivered a message from the God that she should be king."

Establishing Her Reign as Pharaoh

Hatshepsut adopts both feminine and masculine iconography, symbolizing her dual role as queen and king. She takes on a throne name, Ma'at Kare, reinforcing her commitment to truth and divine order.

Holly Fry [10:45]: "As Pharaoh, she took a new throne name. Ma'at Kare, which translates roughly to Truth is the soul of Re."

Tracy discusses her prolific building projects, including her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari, which remains a testament to her architectural genius.

Tracy B. Wilson [11:17]: "She also banned construction of her mortuary temple known as Jaser Jaseru or Holy of Holies."

The Expedition to Punt

A significant highlight of Hatshepsut's reign was her ambitious expedition to Punt, aimed at restoring and expanding trade networks.

Holly Fry [36:33]: "Hatshepsut's expedition to Punt was one of the most notable acts in her time as king."

Tracy elaborates on the logistical challenges of the journey, detailing the dual routes along the Red Sea and the Nile, and the intricate process of ship construction and disassembly.

Tracy B. Wilson [34:22]: "Egyptian documents describe two different routes to Punt. One of them is along the Red Sea and one is along the Nile."

The relief carvings from her mortuary temple provide vivid depictions of the journey, the Puntite people, and the exotic goods returned, such as aromatic resins, wood, and live animals.

Tracy B. Wilson [38:23]: "The bas reliefs and Hatshepsut's temple depict large sailed ships crewed with 30 rowers, each carrying goods from Egypt."

Senenmut: Hatshepsut's Trusted Advisor

Hatshepsut's reign was significantly influenced by her chief advisor, Senenmut, who held numerous titles and was instrumental in her architectural projects.

Tracy B. Wilson [20:51]: "Hatshepsut's most powerful advisor was a man named Senenmut. He ultimately amassed 93 different official titles and became chief architect of Hatshepsut's mortuary temple."

Speculation exists about their relationship, though concrete evidence remains elusive. Senenmut's disappearance in the later years of Hatshepsut's rule adds an air of mystery to his influence.

Tracy B. Wilson [21:30]: "There's been some speculation that the two of them were linked romantically."

Hatshepsut's Legacy and Posthumous Struggles

After her death, Thutmose III assumed full control, leading to attempts to erase Hatshepsut's legacy. Her monuments were defaced, her name omitted from king lists, and her image altered to diminish her authority.

Holly Fry [23:15]: "After Hatshepsut's death, Thutmose III became the sole ruler."

Historically, early interpretations painted her as power-hungry and malevolent, but recent scholarship offers a more nuanced perspective, suggesting political motivations behind the erasure of her legacy.

Tracy B. Wilson [26:16]: "Today we know that about 20 years passed between Hatshepsut's death and the defacement of her tomb and all the other destruction."

Despite these efforts, remnants of her reign persisted, and archaeological discoveries in the 19th century began to piece together her true impact on Egyptian history.

Holly Fry [24:34]: "With so much of her record destroyed, Hatshepsut soon fell into complete obscurity."

The Enigmatic Land of Punt

Returning to the central theme, the podcast delves deeper into the mystery of Punt—the Land of Gods. Tracy and Holly explore various theories about its location, primarily focusing on regions along the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

Tracy B. Wilson [35:50]: "Whether an expedition traveled along the Red Sea or stuck mostly to the Nile might have been a matter of practicality."

They discuss the goods traded, the cultural exchanges depicted in the reliefs, and the difficulties in pinpointing Punt's exact location due to limited archaeological evidence.

Holly Fry [41:07]: "We also don't know exactly where Punt was. That's something people have been trying to figure out for more than 150 years."

Conclusion: Hatshepsut's Enduring Impact

The episode concludes by reaffirming Hatshepsut's significance as one of ancient Egypt's most successful and enigmatic rulers. Her ability to navigate a male-dominated society, embark on grand expeditions, and leave a lasting architectural legacy cements her place in history.

Tracy B. Wilson [22:01]: "She was incredibly savvy to do this, and she also proved herself to be a capable ruler."

Holly reflects on the importance of reevaluating historical narratives to appreciate the complexities of figures like Hatshepsut.

Holly Fry [28:17]: "The idea of a female king is also an affront to the concept of Ma'at that we talked about earlier."

Notable Quotes

• Holly Fry [09:37]: "She reported that the oracle of Amun had delivered a message from the God that she should be king."

• Tracy B. Wilson [26:16]: "Today we know that about 20 years passed between Hatshepsut's death and the defacement of her tomb and all the other destruction."

• Tracy B. Wilson [22:01]: "She was incredibly savvy to do this, and she also proved herself to be a capable ruler."

Final Thoughts

Hatshepsut's reign exemplifies the dynamic nature of ancient Egyptian politics and society. Her ability to maintain power, undertake monumental projects, and engage in extensive trade expeditions demonstrates her extraordinary leadership and vision. This episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class offers listeners a comprehensive and engaging exploration of one of history's most remarkable female rulers.

Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform to delve deeper into the life and legacy of Hatshepsut.