Hatshepsut was a young woman who became the first female pharaoh of Egypt. When her father, Thutmose I, died, Hatshepsut was the only heir. Since she was female, leaders were afraid to make her pharaoh. She finally declared herself the pharaoh in 1501 B.C. and ruled Egypt for about 20 years.
Ancient Egyptian civilization first began along the Nile River when nomads grew tired of the dangers of traveling and settled into villages for safety. They constructed the great pyramids and were strong mathematicians. Because of the location of Egypt, pharaohs had constant problems protecting the land from intruders, and Egypt was eventually conquered by the great Roman Empire.
