The Woman Who Would Be King summary

The Early Life and Rise to Power

In The Woman Who Would Be King, Kara Cooney delves into the life of Hatshepsut, the remarkable pharaoh who reigned over Egypt for more than two decades during the 15th century BC. The book begins by exploring Hatshepsut's early years, born into a royal family during the tumultuous 18th dynasty. Despite being the daughter of a pharaoh, her ascent to power seemed improbable as she was not the direct heir to the throne.

However, fate intervened when Hatshepsut married her half-brother, Thutmose II, who became pharaoh. After his early death, she assumed the role of regent for their infant son, Thutmose III. However, instead of relinquishing power when her son came of age, Hatshepsut took the unprecedented step of declaring herself pharaoh, a role previously reserved for men.

The Unconventional Reign

Cooney then explores Hatshepsut's reign, which was marked by a series of unconventional decisions. She adopted the regalia and titles of a male pharaoh, even commissioning statues and reliefs that portrayed her as a male ruler. Despite this, she did not attempt to erase her femininity. Instead, she presented herself as a unique gender-bending pharaoh, a strategy that allowed her to assert her authority without entirely abandoning her female identity.

Hatshepsut's reign was also characterized by a series of ambitious building projects. She initiated the construction of grand temples and elaborate tombs, including her own mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri, a structure that remains one of the most striking monuments in ancient Egypt. Cooney suggests that these projects were not only a means of asserting her power but also a way to legitimize her reign by aligning herself with the gods and the country's religious traditions.

Challenges and Decline

However, Hatshepsut's rule was not without its challenges. Her decision to take the throne was met with resistance from the traditionalist factions within the Egyptian court, and her relationship with her stepson, Thutmose III, who had a legitimate claim to the throne, was strained. Cooney suggests that Hatshepsut's death, shrouded in mystery, might have been linked to a power struggle with Thutmose III, who subsequently attempted to erase her legacy from history.

Indeed, after her death, Thutmose III launched a campaign of damnatio memoriae, systematically removing Hatshepsut's name and image from monuments and attempting to erase her from the historical record. Cooney argues that this concerted effort to discredit Hatshepsut was a testament to the power she held and the threat she posed to traditional gender roles and the legitimacy of the pharaonic line.

Legacy and Historical Significance

In the final part of The Woman Who Would Be King, Cooney reflects on Hatshepsut's historical significance. Despite Thutmose III's efforts to erase her from history, Hatshepsut's legacy endured, and she is now remembered as one of ancient Egypt's most successful and enigmatic rulers. Her reign challenged traditional gender roles and demonstrated the potential for women to wield power in a male-dominated society.

In conclusion, The Woman Who Would Be King offers a fascinating exploration of Hatshepsut's life and reign, shedding light on a pivotal period in ancient Egyptian history. Cooney's meticulous research and engaging narrative provide a vivid portrait of this extraordinary woman who dared to defy convention and become Egypt's female pharaoh.