Hatshepsut's reign was marked by a period of peace and internal development. The pharaoh established a thriving art scene, pursued innovative architectural projects with the help of esteemed eighteenth dynasty architect Senenmut, and facilitated successful foreign trade expeditions (Britannica). One of Hatshepsut's greatest achievements during her rule was the construction of her mortuary temple Deir-el Bahri, located in Thebes. At the time, Deir-el Bahri was an architectural novelty. The design of the temple was built partially built off traditional construction concepts but also implemented a new structural formula characterized by open-faced light designs (Arnold 136). Unlike typical temples, Dier-el Bahri was not surrounded by towering
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Based off the extremely detailed accounts and illustrations of Hatshepsut's wildest adventures and feats as pharaoh, historians can conclude that the she wanted to assure that her story was chronicled with great detail for future generations. Historians also believe that Hatshepsut might have also had personal and political motivations to build Deir-el Bahri. The temple was dedicated to Amun-Re, which thus reinforced his importance as a primary Theban god and also reaffirmed Hatshepsut's story that claimed she personally ascended from the god to eventually achieve her divine destiny as the pharaoh of Egypt (Roth 147). Hatshepsut may have also used the monument as a way to establish her legitimacy as pharaoh. Deir-el Bahri is located directly beside the temple of Menhotep II, an eleventh dynasty king was famous for reuniting the land of Egypt and ending the first intermediate period (Roth 147). Egyptologist Ann Macy Roth notes that Hatshepsut could have been motivated to construct Deir-el Bahri next to Menhotep II's temple to imply that "she was the founder of another golden age" and would rule as a pharaoh that brought "honor to Amun-re and the city of Thebes" (Roth
Based off the extremely detailed accounts and illustrations of Hatshepsut's wildest adventures and feats as pharaoh, historians can conclude that the she wanted to assure that her story was chronicled with great detail for future generations. Historians also believe that Hatshepsut might have also had personal and political motivations to build Deir-el Bahri. The temple was dedicated to Amun-Re, which thus reinforced his importance as a primary Theban god and also reaffirmed Hatshepsut's story that claimed she personally ascended from the god to eventually achieve her divine destiny as the pharaoh of Egypt (Roth 147). Hatshepsut may have also used the monument as a way to establish her legitimacy as pharaoh. Deir-el Bahri is located directly beside the temple of Menhotep II, an eleventh dynasty king was famous for reuniting the land of Egypt and ending the first intermediate period (Roth 147). Egyptologist Ann Macy Roth notes that Hatshepsut could have been motivated to construct Deir-el Bahri next to Menhotep II's temple to imply that "she was the founder of another golden age" and would rule as a pharaoh that brought "honor to Amun-re and the city of Thebes" (Roth