Re: The role of the queens of the 17th and 18th dynasty in Hatshepsut's rise to power
this is a mixture of kings and queens but all i have under this dot point. hope it helps to some extent
and just trying out of luck. you wouldnt happen to be doing egypt for the historical period would u ( old kingdom, not new ) imquite stuck on that
• POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS ROLES OF THE KING AND QUEEN IN THE 17TH DYNASTY AND THE EARLY 18TH DYNASTY
- Egyptian kings were thought to be divine, incarnations of the god Horus.
- Pyramids and the tombs in the Valley of the Kings at Thebes were built to ensure the survival of the king's influence after his death.
- The pharaoh would be given a name at birth consisting of a god’s name, nebty name, throne name and a birth name.
- The main role of a Pharaoh was to govern the country by: directing battles, ensuring the country’s economic stability and changing the religion of the country to suit their propaganda and maintaining maat.
- the roles of the king shifted somewhat over these 2 dynasties.
- Originally their role was mainly military- expelling the Hyksos and coming to reunite Egypt again.
- as it continued their roles included: foreign policies: expanding Egypt’s borders through military campaigns and development of the army, creating larger civil administrations to ensure successful governance, large building programs to promote their rule, support (reciprocated) for religious cults- Pharaoh seen as divine so they had to contribute to the building/cults to ensure continued good reign
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- ‘Gods Wife of Amen’, suggests that while Hatshepsut was still only regent she “used titles modeled on those used by kings”
- in these dynasties, queens played a dominant role.
- Beginning at the 17th dynasty and early 18th dynasty queens were able to
o Assume high public positions
o Carry out a range of state duties
o Participate in court functions
o Own their own estates
o Hold numerous secular/religious titles
o Wear on distinctive regalia
- There were 4 types of queens during this period
o Those who ruled as kings ( queen regent)
o Chief wife/consort of the king ( kings great wife)
o Mother of king who acted as regent ( kings mother)
o Secondary wifes of kings ( kings wives)
- The most important of the Queens (and who generally passed on stronger lineage) was The Great King’s Wife, especially if she was the mother of the heir
- Religious status reflected in God’s Wife of Amun position: had an influential role in the cult of Amun, right to choose second prophet of Amun, endowment of land, grain, precious metals and admin staff.
- Many earlier queens had played an important political, and occasionally military, role in keeping stability while Husbands were fighting.
- Some queens ( Ahhotep/Ahmose Nefertari) established a precedent for female rule which Hatshepsut was able to follow
- Most impt: queen consort/kings great wife ( esp if she was the mother of the crown prince)
Political:
- many New Kingdom kings emphasised their military role
- Ahmose I drove out the foreign Hyksos and conquered Lower Egypt
- Power would eventually be delegated to groups of advisors and administrators
- Queen's had no official role in politics unless acting as co-regent
- There were no feminine words for a reigning monarch. So in most of her inscriptions, Hatshepsut is referred to in both masculine and feminine forms – Her Majesty, King Maat-ka-re.
- She arranged for her daughter Neferure, to marry Thutmose III to give him legitimacy.
- Hatshepsut saw her vital task and achievement as the rebuilding and stabilising of Egypt after the explusion of the Hyksos
- Major difference between Hatshepsut and other reigning queens is that she adopted the role of pharaoh claiming godship and sovereignty over Upper and Lower Egypt.
Religion:
- they associated themselves very closely with the Cult of Amun
- King is seen as the link between the gods and his people
- Son of Amun-Re
- Queens appear to have played a supportive role in religion