Lesson 9: Sections 4 & 5

Section 4:  Pharaoh Hatshepsut: Promoter or Egyptian Trade (Part 1) 

During the New Kingdom, the pharaoh Hatshepsut (haht-SHEP-soot) ruled Egypt from about 1473 to 1458 B.C.E. Hatshepsut was one of Egypt’s first female pharaohs. Under her rule, Egyptian art and architecture flourished. Hatshepsut was also known for encouraging trade.

One of her greatest accomplishments was her rise to power since few women had ever become Egyptian pharaohs. Sobekneferu, another woman who had become pharaoh, ruled a few hundred years before Hatshepsut. Initially, Hatshepsut shared power with her male relatives. However, she soon achieved sole leadership.

Hatshepsut strengthened her position in several ways. She filled her government with loyal advisers. She demanded the same respect shown to male rulers. To reinforce her status, she sometimes dressed in men’s clothing, even putting on the fake beard male pharaohs wore. Artists were often instructed to portray her as a man. She also spread stories that her father was a god.

Section 5: Pharaoh Ramses II: Leader and Planner (Part 1)

The pharaoh Ramses II (RAM-seez) ruled from about 1290 to 1224 B.C.E., during the New Kingdom. Called Ramses the Great, he is one of the most famous pharaohs. He reigned for more than 60 years, longer than almost any other pharaoh. He is best known for his military leadership and for overseeing the building of numerous monuments and cities.

Ramses used his power to excess. He had over 100 wives and more than 100 children. Never shy about his importance, he had hundreds of statues of himself built throughout Egypt, some of which stood over 60 feet high.

From a young age, Ramses was a fearless soldier, traveling alongside his father in various campaigns. Children often helped their parents with work. At the age of ten, Ramses became a captain in the Egyptian army, though he probably did not fight.

Ramses tried to defend an Egyptian empire that extended north into Canaan. His most famous military campaigns were against the Hittite Empire in Anatolia (present-day Turkey). At the northern border, struggles with the Hittites were common. In his best-known battle, Ramses reached a standoff with the Hittites, even though he was greatly outnumbered.

Section 5: Pharaoh Ramses II: Leader and Planner (Part 2)

Ramses was also a peacemaker. He and the Hittites signed the world’s first peace treaty, which lasted until the Hittite Empire collapsed around 1190 B.C.E.

One of Ramses’ greatest projects was the temple complex at Abu Simbel. The main temple was carved into the side of a cliff that was on a bank of the Nile River. Another temple at Abu Simbel honored the queen, Nefertari.

Four giant statues of a seated Ramses framed the entrance to the main temple. The figures were carved right out of the rock face of the cliff and are among the finest examples of the artistic skill of Egyptian sculptors. The inside of the temple was also remarkable. Visitors passed through three large rooms, called halls, to reach the temple’s main room. This room’s altar contained statues of Ramses and three Egyptian gods. The temple was assembled so that, twice a year, the sun aligned with the entrance, allowing beams of sunlight to shine down the halls and illuminate the statues.

Ramses demanded more temples and monuments built than any other pharaoh in history. When he died, he was buried in the tomb that he had ordered workers to construct solely for him. His mummy is one of the best-preserved bodies ever found.