1473 B.C. Hatshepsut Egypt Hatshepsut was only the third women to become pharaoh in 3,000 years. She started ruling in 1473 B.C. Hatshepsut became queen when she married her half­brother Thutmose II at the age of 12. She had one daughter named Neferure and a son named Thutmose III. She was an Egyptian princess of the 18th dynasty. Back then it was very unusual for a women to rule, but after her husband died she became one of only three women to be in power. She ruled for 15 years. Her greatest achievements were the enormous memorial temple at Deir el ­ Bahri. It was also known as the most sacred of sacred places because it was a memorial temple. The walls were all painted with a colorful account of trading expedition to Punt,which was on the coast of Africa near the Red Sea, where the images showed ships of her army led by her general, Nehsi. Also, the trading expeditions brought back vast riches including ivory, ebony, gold, leopard skins and incense. She was more interested in ensuring economic prosperity and building and restoring monuments throughout Egypt and Nubia than in conquering new lands. She built the Djeser ­ Djeseru which honors the gods. It was dedicated to Amon and served as her funerary cult. She launched an extensive building program repairing the damage wrought by invading Hyksos and building magnificent temples. She died around 1458 B.C. and was buried in the Valley of the Kings. After her death, her step­ son erased all her inscriptions and tried to eradicate her memory.