She didn’t concentrate in that trait. Senenmut was, without doubt,the most important man in Hatshepsut’s life. Twenty-five statues ofSenenmut have so far been discovered, more than almost any othernon-royal individual in the history of ancient Egypt. When Neferurewas still a child, Hatshepsut’s architect Senmut was her tutor. Theactual nature of his relationship with Hatshepsut is unknown, buthe was one of her strongest supporters, probably even one of hertop advisers. During his career, he gained over 40 titles,including “chief architect.” He disappeared some time before theend of Hatshepsut’s reign, and it is unknown what actually happenedto him. The architect Senmut designed the temple with rows ofcolonnades that reflect vertical patterns displayed by the cliffbackdrop. In this way the temple is a successful example ofarchitectural harmony between man and nature. A ramp connects thethree levels of the temple, and on either side of the lower end ofthe incline were T-shaped papyrus pools. On the ground level theramp was in antiquity lined with 200 sandstone statues of sphinxeswith Hatshepsut’s head. The third level is decorated with 22 lifesize statues featuring Hatshepsut in the Osirde shape. It was amatter of fashion.

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