#12: Queen Hatshepsut
Queen Hatshepsut was one of ancient Egypt’s most remarkable and enigmatic rulers, reigning as pharaoh from around 1479 to 1458 BCE during the New Kingdom period. She is renowned for her impressive accomplishments, including expanding trade, commissioning ambitious building projects, and promoting the arts.
In terms of physical appearance, ancient Egyptian art often depicted Hatshepsut in a traditional male pharaoh’s regalia, complete with the false beard and kilt, which was common in Egyptian art to signify royalty. Her statues and reliefs present her with a ceremonial beard, as was customary in portraying pharaohs, but she was, in fact, a woman. Her images in these regal attires were meant to legitimize her rule and reinforce her authority as Egypt’s pharaoh, a role typically reserved for men.