Although Egyptian pharaohs were predominantly male, a handfu…
Although Egyptian pharaohs were predominantly male, a handful of women ascended to the Egyptian throne (often having to display themselves with male features in art and iconography in order to justify their rule). Perhaps the most famous female Egyptian pharaoh was . She ruled as regent for her stepson, Thutmose III (who later tried to erase any record of her ever having ruled). During her reign she emphasized trading, sponsored artists and architects, and oversaw the building of a magnificent structure at Deir el Bahri.