The complexity of the whole question of royal gender and its status in ancient Egypt is illustrated by the inscription Amosis, founder of the eighteenth dynasty and New Kingdom, had carved on a stele at Karnak to his mother Ahotep. This describes her as one who cares for Egypt. After some seven years during which she acted as regent, Hatshepsut assumed the title of king, nominally ruing conjointly with her nephew, but for some 15 years she was the dominant partner.