Mind-Benders of Ancient Egyptian History
The woman who ruled as king — beard and all
Around 1473 BCE — roughly 3,500 years ago — Hatshepsut took the full titulary of a king rather than the role of a queen consort, becoming one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh. Egyptian artists sometimes depicted her in the traditional royal regalia, including the ceremonial false beard worn by kings.
How we know
Hatshepsut adopted full pharaonic titulary c. 1473 BCE (regnal year 7 of Thutmose III's reign, conventionally 1479–1458 BCE); portrayed with the king's false beard. 1473 + 2026 = 3,499 ≈ 3,500 years ago.
One of many fact-checked wonders across eight traditions at The Spring of Wisdom.