Gender and political power can be very different depending on the time period and culture you look at. Based on these differences, this can influence the type of art that is created. Two cultures that will be examined in this essay are Egypt and Mesopotamia. More specifically, how power is represented in both of these cultures, how gender influences this power, and how people in these cultures let it influence their artwork. Pieces from both cultures that display gender and political power are the Sphinx of Hatshepsut, from Egypt, and King Ashurbanipal II the Lion Hunter, from Mesopotamia. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In Egypt, during the time Haptshepsut ruled, gender and politics had changed dramatically. For example, Haptsheput had just become the first female pharaoh. Before this, however, women had a very different role in Egypt. Their status, if lucky enough to have one, depended on what their relationship was to the king. Women in power were often called "king's mother", "king's wife", "king's daughter" etc. Although the king's daughters have the potential to become a queen, they do not receive nearly the same iconography and praise associated with being a queen. king. Egypt was ruled by male gods, but later began to be ruled by human kings. These human kings were males divinely distinct from any other human beings. “The office of kingship was essential to the very existence of the state of Egypt. The king placed himself between the divine and human worlds, acting as a point of contact and mediator." It was believed that the king was the only one capable of performing the rituals necessary to keep the universe intact. But all this changed when Hatshepsut declared herself pharaoh. She realized, after her husband/brother Thutmose II died and her son, Thutmose III, was too young to rule Egypt, that there could be two kings at the same time. From then on, Hapsheput and Thutmose had ruled together, but Haptsept was most recognized and clearly the most dominant. Early in her reign, Hapshetsut was depicted as more feminine. His statues had the physique of a woman with a slim waist and breasts, his paintings often had lighter skin. But as he advanced in his kingdom, his image became more masculinized. He had darker skin, more muscular features and even a fake beard. Egypt was able to achieve the depiction of a female ruler, but still depicted her as male. In Mesopotamia, men were obviously still treated as if they were taller than women. Men could be farmers, slave owners, warriors, kings. Only men reserved the right to engage in politics, giving them even more power and authority. Women were seen simply as wives, mothers, housekeepers, etc. In Mesopotamia, power was transmitted by kingship. The Assyruial king demonstrated his power in kingship by being a great military officer. He completed many successful military conquests. His power was demonstrated by his great palace covered in relics showing his military triumphs. He used his power to protect his empire and ensure there were no invasions. “The king, as a representative of the god Ashur, represented order. Wherever he was in control, there was peace, tranquility and justice, while where he did not rule there was chaos. The king's duty to bring order to the entire world was the justification for military expansion”.