NPR art director and illustrator Jackie Lay tells the story of Hatshepsut, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest pharaohs in Egypt’s history — but whose legacy was erased for over 3,000 years.

In 332 BC, he crowned himself Pharaoh of Egypt and visited the Temple of Amun in Siwa Oasis to win the Egyptians’ favor. From the heart of Memphis, he declared his dream: “Here I will build my city… Alexandria!” But fate never allowed him to see it completed.

Alexander founded more than 20 cities bearing his name, but almost all disappeared except for Alexandria, which Egypt’s heritage made eternal.

To this day, the mystery of his tomb remains unsolved… was he buried in Siwa or in Alexandria? 🤔

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