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Egypt - cruise on the Nile
~ Thebes-West - Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut ~
UNESCO World Heritage
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Hatschepsut was one of the most interesting female figures and most capable Pharohs
of Egyptian history (1490-1468 BC), so our visit to her 3,500 year old
mortual temple in the Valley of Kings
(Thebes West) was in many respects a quite special experience. |
 Hatschepsut
was the daughter of Thutmosis1 (18th dynasty), but in those days was, as
a woman, excluded from the succession to the throne. However, she still
managed to rule over the most powerful and advanced civilization in the
world for 22 years (1490-1468 BC). When her father died, her half brother
ascended the throne and she came to power as the " King's Great Wife",
a common practice in ancient Egypt. After his early death, the Queen Dowager
reigned over the country as guardian for her stepson and successor to the
throne Thutmosis III, who was a minor and the son of a lesser wife. 2 years
later Hatshepsut declared herself Pharoh. She legitimized her authority
by announcing that God Amun himself had procreated her and called herself
" King of Upper and lower Egypt". |
| During her peaceful regency, partly in joint rule
with Thutmosis III., she led the new kingdom to its highest display
of power and created monumental buildings, which even today proclaim her
glory, for example, the highest of all obelisks still standing in Eygpt
today (Karnak) or the unique terrace temple in Deir el-Bahari (Thebes West).
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perfect harmony with nature the temple nestles against a 280m high wall
of rock. The temple rises in three terraces, which are elaborately decorated
with a hypostyle hall, pillars, statues and reliefs. The different
levels are connected by a series of ramps.In the southern colonnade are
the famous scenes of Hatchepsut's trading expedition to the fabulous land
of Punt. The magnificent reliefs give a detailed description of this mysterious
country, its fauna, flora, people and culture. The pictures of Deir el-Bahari
are probably the oldest and most realistic representations of ancient east
Africa in existence. Most of Hatshepsut's buildings are the work of her
ingenious architect and confidant, Senenmut, to whom she entrusted the
highest public offices.
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Tempel court
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expedition to Punt
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About
Ancient Egypt
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