In Our Time · August 20, 2026 · 47m

Archive: Hatshepsut

Campbell Price, Elizabeth Frood, Kate Spence

In this archive episode of In Our Time, Misha Glenny discusses the Egyptian pharaoh Hatshepsut with Egyptologists Elizabeth Frood, Kate Spence, and Campbell Price. First broadcast in November 2014, the conversation examines her reign from about 1479 to 1458 BC, a period when Egypt was recovering from the Second Intermediate Period. The guests explore how Hatshepsut rebuilt Egyptian power through international trade and commissioned buildings regarded as masterpieces of Egyptian architecture. They also consider her significant changes to the ideology surrounding the pharaoh and the gods. The episode addresses the puzzling erasure of her name from records and ancient king lists after her death.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

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Hatshepsut's Reign as Economic Recovery Through Trade

Hatshepsut reasserted Egyptian power after the Second Intermediate Period by building up international trade rather than relying solely on military conquest.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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Hatshepsut's Architectural Commissions as Masterpieces

Hatshepsut commissioned buildings that are considered masterpieces of Egyptian architecture.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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Changes to Pharaonic Ideology Under Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut made significant changes to the ideology surrounding the pharaoh and the gods.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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Posthumous Erasure of Hatshepsut

After Hatshepsut's death, her name was erased from the records and left out of ancient lists of Egyptian kings.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

References

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Karnak: Evolution of a Temple — Elizabeth Blyth (2006) — In Our Time reading list for this episode

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The Woman Who Would Be King — Kara Cooney (2014) — In Our Time reading list for this episode

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Creativity and Innovation in the Reign of Hatshepsut — José M. Galán, Betsy M. Bryan and Peter F. Dorman (eds.) (2014) — In Our Time reading list for this episode

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A History of Ancient Egypt — Marc Van De Mieroop (2011) — In Our Time reading list for this episode

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Hatshepsut: From Queen to Pharaoh — Catharine H. Roehrig, Renée Dreyfus and Cathleen A. Keller (2005) — In Our Time reading list for this episode

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Hatshepsut: From Queen to Pharaoh — Catharine Roehrig (ed.) (2005) — In Our Time reading list for this episode

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Hatshepsut: The Female Pharaoh — Joyce Tyldesley (1998) — In Our Time reading list for this episode

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UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology — Willeke Wendrich (ed.), particularly Peter Brand's essay, 'Usurpation of Monuments' (2010) — In Our Time reading list for this episode

Misc

✧Her name means 'foremost of noble ladies.'

✧She ruled Egypt from approximately 1479 to 1458 BC.

✧After her death, her name was erased from the records and left out of ancient lists of Egyptian kings.

✧This episode was first released in November 2014 and re-released as Misha Glenny's third archive selection.

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