The First Female Pharaoh | Sobekneferu | Ancient Egypt Documentary
History Explained・6 minutes read
Ancient Egypt saw its first female pharaoh, Sobekneferu, following the death of Amenemhat IV without a male heir, breaking a long tradition of male rulers. Sobekneferu faced challenges during her reign, focusing on foreign relations and protecting Egypt before her sudden death, marking the end of the 12th Dynasty and potentially the Middle Kingdom's golden age.
Insights
- Sobekneferu, the first female pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, broke a long-standing tradition of male rulers by adopting the royal titulary associated with the crocodile god Sobek, facing opposition but focusing on strengthening foreign relations and protecting Egypt during her reign.
- The reign of Sobekneferu, lasting 3 years, 10 months, and 24 days, marked the end of the 12th Dynasty and potentially the Middle Kingdom's golden age, highlighting the significant impact of her rule despite its brevity and the challenges she faced as a female leader in a male-dominated society.
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Recent questions
Who was the first female pharaoh of Egypt?
Sobekneferu
How long did Sobekneferu rule as pharaoh?
3 years, 10 months, 24 days
What was Sobekneferu's relationship to Amenemhat IV?
Sister and wife
Why did Sobekneferu wear male attire during her rule?
To respect tradition and placate critics
What were Sobekneferu's contributions to Egypt during her reign?
Strengthening foreign relations and protecting Egypt
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Ancient Egypt Explained in 12 Minutes
Summary
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Sobekneferu: Egypt's First Female Pharaoh
- Ancient Egypt thrived under the 12th Dynasty until Pharaoh Amenemhat IV's death without a male heir, leading to the elevation of Sobekneferu as the first female pharaoh.
- Sobekneferu, also Amenemhat IV's sister and wife, adopted the royal titulary, associated with the crocodile god Sobek, breaking a thousand-year tradition of male pharaohs.
- Sobekneferu faced opposition for her rule, donning male attire to respect tradition and likely placate critics, as female rulers were often erased from records by male successors.
- Sobekneferu's reign focused on strengthening foreign relations and protecting Egypt, with significant contributions to her father's mortuary pyramid at Hawara.
- Sobekneferu's reign ended abruptly after ruling for 3 years, 10 months, and 24 days, marking the conclusion of the 12th Dynasty and possibly the Middle Kingdom's golden age.
