Episode 1: Hatshepsut: Egypt's King Who Happened to Be a Woman

Alex Calder unpacks the astonishing story of Hatshepsut, who transformed herself from a traditional queen regent into Egypt's first successful female pharaoh around 1478 BCE. The episode explores how Hatshepsut legitimized her unprecedented position through divine origin stories, strategic male imagery, and ambitious building projects including her magnificent mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. Alex examines how this female king maintained power for over twenty years while preserving cosmic order in a society where kingship was inherently male, her complex relationship with her stepson Thutmose III, and the subsequent attempt to erase her from history. Through Hatshepsut's reign, listeners discover how exceptional women have been finding creative ways to navigate gender barriers throughout history.