The first of this two-part series on the queens who ruled ancient Egypt looks at Hatshepsut the Great (1479-1457 BC), who came to power on the sudden death of her husband, Tuthmosis 11. Initially she was made co-regent with her young stepson Tuthmosis 111 but soon assumed sole power, virtually reinventing herself as a man. She embarked on an ambitious building program, constructing and beautifying new temples and obelisks. This documentary, using extensive location footage, computer animation and interviews with experts, examines the issue of how a woman could rise to power in ancient Egypt and maintain her grip at a time when female sovereigns were unknown. Although her reign lasted 22 years, her "act of rebellion" did not go unpunished: for over 3000 years after her death her name and image were banned from the official history of Egypt. The program, using the opinions of several Egyptologists, explores the reasons for the ban.