What?s it mean to be a sexy mom? The
moms in Babeland?s blog event will take that question in many different directions during May. I?m going to talk today about meeting the She-King of Egypt and how her legacy is getting a makeover from evil stepmom to powerful supermom.
I just toured Egypt with my 12-year-old daughter, a trip inspired by her 6th grade lesson on ancient civilizations. Yes, she was eager to see the treasures of King Tut and the monumental pyramids built by ancient kings, but the temple she most eagerly anticipated belonged to that of Hatshepsut, a strong woman who defied political and social conventions in order to rule as king. And she did this so effectively her reign is considered one of the most prosperous and peaceful in pharaonic history.
To bring you up to speed, Hatshepsut ruled successfully as a pharaoh (aka a king, not a queen) during the heyday of the 18
th dynasty (1479 BC). She was a trailblazing cross-dresser?she wore the ceremonial garb of pharaohs, including the
false beard. I was inordinately pleased that my daughter was most drawn to Hatshepsut. In a land dominated by gargantuan statues of male rulers (their wives come up to their shins if they are depicted at all), seeing the distinctly feminine face of Hatshepsut plastered all over her temple in the Valley of the Kings, was a sight neither of us will ever forget. Equally unforgettable, sadly, is how many of her images were intentionally destroyed.I had known about Hatshepsut for many years and had, in fact, visited her tomb almost 15 years ago, before I had kids of my own. What intrigued me this time around was what a bad rap Hatshepsut has gotten as an ?evil stepmother,? a myth which local guides continue to perpetuate despite recent theories to the contrary.
That story goes like this: Hatshepsut?s husband (and � brother) died young and left a son (
Thutmose III) by another wife as his successor to the throne. While he was young Hatshepsut ruled as queen regent on her stepson?s behalf, but eventually imprisoned him (a fact not substantiated) so she could rule as pharaoh. During his subsequent reign, her stepson spent the second half of his life systematically destroying any traces of her likeness from temples, fueled by a vengeance against his evil stepmother. However, one
current theory posits that her stepson destroyed Hatshepsut?s images as a means of legitimizing his heirs? claim to the throne, against those of Hatshepsut?s descendents. You see, she was of royal lineage, he was not; he was basically destroying the ?evidence.?I can?t help but marvel over several aspects of Hatshepsut?s story. First, because this is a post about sexy moms, I think the sheer fact that she was a successful ruler, a mother (besides the stepson she had a
biological daughter who she groomed to be the next pharoah), an early feminist, and a drag king, makes her very sexy.
Also, if I can indulge in a classic gender stereotype: could the fact that her reign, which was marked by a time of prolonged peace and economic prosperity?whereas her male predecessors and heirs were known for their war conquests?have anything to do with being a woman or mother? Perhaps.She is also credited with one of the major architectural building booms in Egypt?s history and the site of her massive obelisk at Karnak� Temple is one truly breathtaking remnant of this (the phallic-shaped obelisk inspired my� fantasy of Hatshepsut playing a game of my d**k is bigger than yours with her contemporaries).
Finally, I can?t help but draw comparisons between the past and the present. In the US, we were witness to a long presidential campaign involving two vastly different female candidates (Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin), each subjected to the most inane gender stereotyping (icy manipulative bitch, and sexy but stupid soccer mom). 3500 years ago, a woman stepped up and seized the political reins (without killing her rival!), despite the prevailing belief that women were not capable of ruling. Yet, we have not been able to elect a female president--maybe it?s time the false beard made a comeback!
Don't forget that during May you can enter our contest to win sex toys. And check out the blog posts by the other moms in the sexy moms blog event.
e was not; he was basically destroying the ?evidence.?I can?t help but marvel over several aspects of Hatshepsut?s story. First, because this is a post about sexy moms, I think the sheer fact that she was a successful ruler, a mother (besides the stepson she had a
biological daughter who she groomed to be the next pharoah), an early feminist, and a drag king, makes her very sexy.
Also, if I can indulge in a classic gender stereotype: could the fact that her reign, which was marked by a time of prolonged peace and economic prosperity?whereas her male predecessors and heirs were known for their war conquests?have anything to do with being a woman or mother? Perhaps.She is also credited with one of the major architectural building booms in Egypt?s history and the site of her massive obelisk at Karnak� Temple is one truly breathtaking remnant of this (the phallic-shaped obelisk inspired my� fantasy of Hatshepsut playing a game of my d**k is bigger than yours with her contemporaries).
Finally, I can?t help but draw comparisons between the past and the present. In the US, we were witness to a long presidential campaign involving two vastly different female candidates (Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin), each subjected to the most inane gender stereotyping (icy manipulative bitch, and sexy but stupid soccer mom). 3500 years ago, a woman stepped up and seized the political reins (without killing her rival!), despite the prevailing belief that women were not capable of ruling. Yet, we have not been able to elect a female president--maybe it?s time the false beard made a comeback!
Don't forget that during May you can enter our contest to win sex toys. And check out the blog posts by the other moms in the sexy moms blog event.
