Three Visionary Pharaohs: Hatshepsut, Amenhotep III, and Akhenaten

Hatshepsut was known as the most authoritative and successful female pharaoh; some argue that Amenhotep III’s insistent identification with the sun god in his monumental iconography and inscriptions was his deification; Akhenaten was best known for making changes to Egypt’s polytheistic religion to monotheism, worship of the sun god Aten.

Each of these three pharaohs left an indelible mark on the history of ancient Egypt, and arguably the world, forever.   They challenged centuries of established practices to implement their innovations, defying the odds.  They faced backlash during their lifetimes; strong forces sought to erase their very existence from history.  Yet, in the end, each seemed to rise above his or her adversaries.  We are still discovering and uncovering facts about their individual stories.

Join Beth Stein as she more closely examines and reveals what we know today about these three remarkable individuals who ruled one of the richest and most extensive empires of the ancient world.  This presentation will be an excellent preparation for the exhibition “Three Maverick Pharaohs” currently at MFA in Boston.

To register for Snow Library
Registration open September 1, 2026