43/50.- Luxor, Hatshepsut temple, second floor

Queen Hatshepsut (1473-1458 b.c.) was the first female pharaoh. She married one of her half brothers, Thutmose II, and when her husband died she was appointed regent, because the king's heir was too young to reign. Thutmose III, the future pharaoh, was the son of another of Thutmose II wives.

Hatshepsut, with the support of the high priest of Amon and other officials, declared herself pharaoh. Thutmose III never forgave her this, and had her shrines, statues and reliefs mutilated after her death.

In the photo you can see the second floor of the temple, currently closed to the public, with the line of Osirid statues of the queen looking out over the valley.

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