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Hatshepsut is a legendary figure in the history of Egypt. Although a woman, she was crowned pharaoh. This occurred because her father was Thutmose I and she was his heir. But to become pharaoh, she had to create a legend. She therefore chose to depict herself as the mortal daughter of the all-powerful god Amun-Ra of Thebes and to render her accession to the throne as the enactment of the express decree of her divine father. Thus, by divine decision, Hatshepsut was one of only six women to become pharaoh by act and by right in 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history.

The lecture will be delivered by Teresa Bedman, Egyptologist and joint director of the Spanish archaeological mission “Vizier Amenhotep Huy Project” of the Fundación Instituto de Estudios del Antiguo Egipto. Teresa Bedman will discuss the life of the pharaoh queen and explain how Hatshepsut managed to claim her right to accede to the throne. She will also describe the major works that were built during her reign.

BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

Teresa Bedman is an Egyptologist with a degree in Egyptology from the University of Manchester, where she specialised in women in ancient Egypt. She co-founded the Instituto de Estudios del Antiguo Egipto (IEAE) in 1997 (Fundación, since 2022) and is joint director of the Foundation. In 2000 she was appointed director the Spanish archaeological mission in Luxor (Egypt), leading the research projects Sen-en-Mut (2000–2008) and Vizir Amenhotep Huy (2009–present). The research team of the Fundación del Instituto de Estudios del Antiguo Egipto was involved in both projects. 

Teresa Bedman has received several accolades, including The WOMEN’S DAY AWARD (2022) for her assistance and collaboration in the training of female staff at the Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art; INDOMITABLE, WOMEN WHO TRANSFORM (2021); the Outstanding Career Award from the Vitoria-based geographical society LA  EXPLORADORA (2019); and the 2014 BRAND SPAIN Award for 100 Spanish achievements for the discovery of the Tomb of Vizir Amenhotep Huy. In more than thirty years studying and promoting Egyptology, she has published over one hundred articles in national and international specialist magazines.

IMPORTANT: Free admission on a first come, first served basis. Advance ticket bookings: reservas@fmcmp.com Tickets (one per person) can also be collected at the Foundation’s ticket office from one hour before the start of the lecture. For any incident, please contact infomadrid@fmcmp.com