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Hatshepsut: One of Egytian history's greatest mysteries

strong and probably had a magnetic personality, she needed transcendental support' and therefore throughout her entire building program she claimed a filial relationship to Amun. In addition, in Djeser-Djeseru, a significant number of other deities also support her Neith and Selket bear up Ahmose and Amun, Khnum fashions Hatshepsut's fourteen kas, Ahmose is attended by Hathor, Bes and Taueret whilst Anubis promises her all lands, all countries, all inhabitants of Egypt, all strangers, all future and past generations.' Amenhotep III, Ramesses II, rulers from the Ptolemaic dynasty and even Alexander the Great were to emulate Hatshepsut's method of concretising her claim to power, whilst Thutmose III, modified it to the Divine Contract. Furthermore, Hatshepsut also established the practice of depicting a king's coronation by the gods, symbolic of the pharaoh's ability to govern with maat. On her obelisks, Amun even addressed her on this occasion with Lord of Heaven, Regent of the Two Lands, Flesh of altardaughter of Amunlife, health and eternity for Hatshepsut.' Therefore, Hatshepsut truly pioneered the method of consolidating a pharaoh's rule through propaganda, an innovation that contributed significantly to developing the New Kingdom's pharaoh's iconography.

Hatshepsut also bequeathed upon Egypt an extensive range of rich innovations and developments in religion. Fundamentally, the focus and ultimate legacy of her religious program was indisputably the promotion of Amun to the pinnacle of Egypt's pantheon of gods. As Lawless stated, The God became the promoter of New Kingdom nationalism and imperialism' due to Hatshepsut's attribution of her achievements and dedication of lavish offerings to her divine father. Consequently, the political, economical and religious influence of his priesthood was catapulted to unprecedented heights. However, an adverse effect of this legacy was the gradual erosion of the king's power, and three reigns later, the pharaoh was forced to move to another capital and worship another god. Nevertheless, Hatshepsut was far from negligent in her devotion to the entire pantheon of Egyptian gods, evinced by the multitude of temples she restored or refurbished for Hathor, Pakhet, Hwor, Uni, She, Min, Mut, as well as building new temples at Medinet Habu, Armant, Beni Hassain, Elephantine, Faras, Semna and Kom Ombo. In addition, Hatshepsut also prided herself in her reinstating of a variety of festivals such as the Uniting of Kas, Opet and


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Hatshepsut: One of Egytian history's greatest mysteries

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