Her step-son Thutmose III was just two years old when his father died in 1479 and so Hatshepsut soon took on the role of pharaoh (though Thutmose III also technically ruled as co-regent).įeaturing Kara Cooney, Monica Hanna and Lucia Gahlin, this documentary shines a light on the life of Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt's most extraordinary rulers. Only the second woman to assume the role of pharaoh, Hatshepsut was the wife of Thutmose II and reigned in the Eighteenth Dynasty. It was conceived by Khufu as his stairway to heaven and the means of its construction remains something of a mystery to this day. The monumental structure is a testament to the bewildering sophistication of Egyptian architecture and, remarkably, remained the tallest man-made structure in the world for the best part of 4,000 years. 2. Khufu (reign 2589 ‒ 2566 BC)Ī Fourth Dynasty pharaoh, Khufu’s greatest legacy is undoubtedly the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This pyramid, in which Djoser was buried, was the first structure to realise the iconic step design. What is known, however, is that he oversaw the construction of the famous step pyramid at Saqqara, a hugely significant milestone in ancient Egyptian architecture.

Djoser (reign 2686 BC – 2649 BC)ĭjoser is perhaps the most famous Third Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh, but little is known about his life. Yet, despite the spiritual reverence with which they were regarded, the pharaohs were also responsible for the more earthly concerns of leadership, and each Egyptian pharaoh had a unique legacy some were architectural innovators or revered military leaders while others were brilliant diplomats. Interpretations varied from ruler to ruler, of course, but the pharaohs were generally thought to be imbued with divinity and were effectively regarded as intermediaries between the gods and people. The Ancient Egyptian pharaoh’s role was both political and religious. But the stories of the Ancient Egyptian pharaohs undoubtedly bring us closer to a fascinating civilization that spanned over 3,000 years and 170 pharaohs. The remarkable sophistication of the Ancient Egyptian empire is still hard to reconcile with how far back in time it existed.