Image Details

Robert Partridge, the Ancient Egypt Picture Library

Hatshepsut also legitimized her kingship with reliefs such as the block shown here, which depicts her kneeling, being crowned by the deities Amun and Mut. Royal texts frequently proclaim that Hatshepsut was destined to become king from birth and that her father and the gods had chosen her to rule. Such texts were accepted formulas, expressing the special status of the king (compare with photo of carving depicting kneeling Hatshepsut).