After When Women Ruled The World, I chose The Woman Who Would Be King to better know Hatshepsut, my friend's idol. But beware that the author stated clearly that some Egyptologists may call her book a fantasy. The fundamental reason lies in the fact that historical records were either never created or lost in the past several thousand years. To connect the dots, Kara Cooney guessed what Hatshepsut could be thinking if she were in her shoes.
In my listening experience, I realized the obstacles and challenges in Hatshepsut's way due to social acceptance and kingship legitimacy. She employed different strategies to maintain her kingship over 21 years.
In the first place, she married her half-brother Thutmose II who had a different mother (not the king's great-wife). Hatshepsut had pure royal blood and Thutmose II was a male heir. It was a complementary relationship.
After Thutmose II's death, she built a connection with God Amun through her father Thutmose, which was unheard of before. With support from higher officials, she pulled it off! I guess the higher officials were concerned about their own power and wealth. If there would have been a new dynasty started by a foreigner, they could have been replaced.
Lastly, when Hatshepsut became more senior, she tried to teach her daughter of Thutmose II, Nefurure, to follow her path and take the power. Unfortunately, she passed away before Hatshepsut. She was forced to act as a regent of a young boy, a son of Thutmose II and his lesser wife. The boy was Thutmose III.
Surprisingly but also expectedly, Kara Cooney didn't talk much about how Egyptian life was when Hatshepsut was the Pharaoh. Though she left the world with a great temple—Djeser-Djeseru. I guess civilian life has never been something to be chiseled on a limestone.
If you want to know more, check out this video!
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