Hatshepsut's Temple at Deir el-Bahri

Picture Gallery: Queen Hatshepsut, Female Pharaoh of Egypt

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Hatshepsut's Temple at Deir el-Bahri

Deir el-Bahri - Temple of Hatshepsut. Getty Images / Sylvester Adams

Hatshepsut was unique in history, not because she ruled Egypt though she was a woman -- several other women did so before and after -- but because she took on the full identify of a male pharaoh, and because she presided over a long period of stability and prosperity. Most female rulers in Egypt had short reigns in turbulent times. Hatshepsut's building program resulted in many beautiful temples, statues, tombs, and inscriptions. Her travel to the Land of Punt showed her contribution to trade and commerce.

The Temple of Hatshepsut, built at Deir el-Bahri by the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, was part of the extensive building program she engaged in during her rule.

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Deir el-Bahri - Mortuary Temples of Mentuhotep and Hatshepsut

Deir el-Bahri. (c) iStockphoto / mit4711

A photograph of the complex of sites at Deir el-Bahri, including Hatshepsut's temple, Djeser-Djeseru, and temple of 11th century pharaoh, Mentuhotep.

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Djeser-Djeseru, Hatshepsut's Temple at Deir el-Bahri

Djeser-Djeseru, Hatshepsut's Temple at Deir el-Bahri. (c) iStockphoto / mit4711

A photograph of Hatshepsut's temple, Djeser-Djeseru, built by the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut, at Deir el-Bahri.

Menuhotep's Temple - 11th Dynasty - Deir el-Bahri

Menuhotep's Temple, Deir el-Bahri. (c) iStockphoto / mit4711

Temple of 11th dynasty pharaoh, Menuhotep, at Deir el-Bahri - Hatshepsut's temple, located next to it, was modeled after its tiered design.

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Statue at the Temple of Hatshepsut

Statue at the Temple of Hatshepsut. iStockphoto / Mary Lane

Some 10-20 years after Hatshepsut's death, her successor, Thutmose III, deliberately destroyed images and other records of Hatshepsut as king.

Colossus of Hatshepsut, Female Pharaoh

Colossus of Egyptian Pharaoh Hatshepsut at her mortuary temple in Deir el-Bahri in Egypt. (c) iStockphoto / pomortzeff

A colossus of Pharaoh Hatshepsut from her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri, showing her with the false beard of the Pharaoh.

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Pharaoh Hatshepsut and Egyptian God Horus

Pharaoh Hatshepsut presenting an offering to the god Horus. (c) www.clipart.com

The female pharaoh Hatshepsut, depicted as a male pharaoh, is presenting an offering to the falcon god, Horus.

Goddess Hathor

Egyptian goddess Hathor, from the Temple of Hatshepsut, Deir el-Bahri. (c) iStockphoto / Brooklynworks

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Djeser-Djeseru - Osiris Statues

Osiris/Hatshepsut statues, upper level, Djeser-Djeseru, Deir el-Bahri. (c) iStockphoto / mit4711

Row of statues of Hatshepsut as Osiris, upper level, Djeser-Djeseru, Hatshepsut's Temple at Deir el-Bahri.

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Hatshepsut as Osiris

A row of statues of Hatshepsut as Osiris, from her Temple at Deir el-Bahri. iStockphoto / BMPix

Hatshepsut is shown at her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri in this row of Osiris statues. The Egyptians believed that the Pharaoh became Osiris when he died.

Hatshepsut as Osiris

Pharaoh Hatshepsut Depicted as the God Osiris Hatshepsut as Osiris. iStockphoto / BMPix

At her temple in Deir el-Bahri, the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut is depicted as the god Osiris. The Egyptians believed that a Pharaoh became Osiris at his death.

Hatshepsut's Obelisk, Karnak Temple

Surviving obelisk of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, at Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt. (c) iStockphoto / Dreef

The surviving obelisk of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, at Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt.

Hatshepsut's Obelisk, Karnak Temple (Detail)

Surviving obelisk of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, at Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt. Detail of the top of the obelisk. (c) iStockphoto / Dreef

The surviving obelisk of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, at Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt -- detail of the upper obelisk.

Thutmose III - Statue from Temple at Karnak

Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt - Statue at Temple at Karnak. (c) iStockphoto / Dreef

Statue of Thutmose III, known as the Napoleon of Egypt. It is probably this king who removed Hatshepsut's images from temples and tombs after her death.