Hatshepsut – Strategy and Guide

Intro

The early 14th century BCE saw Egypt flourish under the leadership of Hatshepsut. She expanded Egypt’s trade routes across the Mediterranean to the north and the land of Punt to the south, funneling this wealth into grand construction ventures that still captivate our imaginations today. Whether you’re just starting out in Civilization VII or you’re a seasoned empire-builder, Hatshepsut offers unique advantages that blend cultural growth and economic prosperity.

Strategy

Hatshepsut’s strengths lie in leveraging trade routes and riverside cities to generate both Culture and Production. This makes her an excellent choice if you enjoy a mix of peaceful expansion and Wonder-focused play. Whether you’re new to the game or a veteran, the key with Hatshepsut is balancing military preparedness with your focus on commerce and architectural projects.

• Beginner Tip: Make sure your cities are placed near navigable rivers. You’ll gain a noticeable boost to Production for constructing Buildings and Wonders, which in turn helps you solidify an early infrastructure lead.
• Intermediate Approach: Focus on importing Resources via strategic trade deals. More imported Resources mean more Culture, which accelerates your Civics tree progression. This can lead to unlocking key policies, such as those that grant additional bonuses to Wonders or Trade Routes.
• Advanced Strategy: Aim to build or conquer city-states that can supply exclusive luxury goods to magnify Hatshepsut’s trade-based Culture gain. Consider forging alliances with empires that hold diverse resources to further boost your economy. Meanwhile, keep an eye on Wonders that enhance Culture or Tourism—these pair brilliantly with Hatshepsut’s building advantages.

Overall, Hatshepsut thrives when you seize the initiative to trade widely and erect Wonders that bolster your civilization’s reputation on the global stage. Watch your enemies, though—your focus on internal development can make you vulnerable to early aggression. A well-timed alliance or a modest but efficient army ensures you can build (and trade) in peace.

Lines

Hatshepsut is voiced by an actor fluent in Late Egyptian, adding immersive authenticity to her interactions. Here are some of her notable lines in the game:

• Greeting: “I am Horus in human flesh — Hatshepsut, pharaoh of the red lands and the black lands.”
• Attacked: “The nau-snake is in my belly, and I have not given myself to you, your flame will not be on me.”
• Declares War: “When we are done, the lone and level sands will be all that remains of you.”
• Accepts Player’s Deal: “The river brings blessings.”
• Rejects Player’s Deal: “We must cast this downstream.”
• Defeated: “Open the Netherworld so that I may see my father Osiris and drive away darkness, for I am beloved of him. All you spirits, prepare a path for me.”

Civilopedia Entry

Hatshepsut ruled during a transformative era in Egypt’s history, directing her energy towards massive building projects and diplomatic trade missions rather than unrelenting military expansion. Born to Thutmose I, she married her brother Thutmose II to secure the throne. Upon his death, she became regent for her young stepson, Thutmose III, and later named herself co-ruler, stepping fully into the role of pharaoh.

Under her leadership, Egypt re-established trade networks and rebuilt temples ravaged in previous conflicts. She commissioned countless statues and grand structures, the most famous being the temple complex at Deir el-Bahri. While she wasn’t the first woman to hold power in Egypt, her ambition and building fervor ensured her name would echo through history. Sadly, her stepson would later try to erase her memory—archaeologists discovered many of her statues deliberately destroyed and cast aside.

In the context of Civilization VII, Hatshepsut embodies cultural sophistication and economic acumen. Her extensive building projects mirror her real-world legacy, and her prowess in trade showcases how commerce can be just as effective as military might for forging a powerful empire.

Unique Ability: Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut’s signature trait is called God’s Wife of Amun. It provides two powerful benefits:

1. Culture Per Imported Resource: For every Resource you import, you’ll gain a bonus to Culture. This translates directly into more Civics and social policies, helping you shape your society faster.
2. Increased Production Near Navigable Rivers: In cities adjacent to navigable rivers, you’ll enjoy higher Production toward constructing Buildings and Wonders. This boost can give you a strong foothold in the race to build sought-after Wonders before rival leaders claim them.

In practice, this ability rewards you for active diplomacy and careful city placement. It’s particularly potent on maps with abundant river systems, so keep that in mind when selecting your starting location or planning expansions.

Agendas

Hatshepsut’s primary agenda is known as Wonders of Iteru:

• Wonders of Iteru: If you own more Wonders than Hatshepsut, she becomes slightly wary and your relationship deteriorates by a small amount. However, if you have fewer Wonders, her attitude toward you improves substantially.

A balanced approach is to build a few Wonders but not too many if you’re seeking an alliance. Alternatively, racing ahead in Wonder construction and keeping a strong military can work if you’re comfortable with a more confrontational stance.

Trivia

• Hatshepsut’s leader ability is named after her historic role as a high-ranking priestess within the Amun cult.
• Her agenda title, “Wonders of Iteru,” references the Egyptian name for the Nile River, celebrating her era’s grand architectural achievements.
• She is often remembered as one of the first major female rulers recorded in history, pre-dating Cleopatra by nearly 1,500 years.
• Hatshepsut was among the earliest confirmed leaders during the development of Civilization VII, hinting at the game’s focus on diverse representation.

TL;DR

Hatshepsut in Civilization VII exemplifies a peaceful yet expansive playstyle, combining Culture-generating trade deals with accelerated Production along riverbanks. Focus on building up a strong economy and forging key alliances to import rare Resources, while leaving room to defend against aggressive neighbors. Her agenda incentivizes balanced Wonder construction: build enough to benefit from your Production bonus, but be aware that surpassing her in architectural marvels can strain your diplomatic ties. If you manage these elements effectively, Hatshepsut can lead your civilization to a glowing cultural and economic triumph.