Thutmose III, sixth pharaoh of the XVIIIe dynasty, reigned from 1479 to 1425 BC. He is often considered one of the greatest rulers of ancient Egypt, due to his many military campaigns and territorial expansion.
Youth and accession to the throne
Thutmose III was the son of Thutmose II and a secondary wife, Isis. When his father died, he was still too young to reign, and his stepmother Hatshepsut assumed the regency, then proclaimed herself pharaoh. Thutmose III acceded to the throne on the death of Hatshepsut in 1479 BC.
Military campaigns
The reign of Thutmose III was marked by his numerous military campaigns, which earned him the nickname of “Egyptian Napoleon”. He led more than 17 expeditions to West Asia, expanding the Egyptian empire from Syria to Sudan. His conquests strengthened Egyptian control over trade routes and ensured the country's prosperity.
Administration and reforms
Thutmose III was also an able administrator. He consolidated and extended the Egyptian administration in the conquered territories, while ensuring a centralization of power. He also reformed the clergy, especially that ofAmun, reaffirming royal authority over religious institutions.
Prolific builder
As pharaoh, Thutmose III was a great builder. He ordered the construction of many temples and monuments, notably at Karnak, where he had the great pylon and several obelisks built. He is also responsible for numerous constructions in Medinet Habu, Heliopolis and Memphis.
Death and posterity
Thutmose III died after a reign of 54 years and was buried in the Valley of the Kings, in a tomb designated under the number KV34. He was succeeded by his son, Amenhotep II. The period of Thutmose III is considered the height of New Kingdom Egypt, and its military and architectural legacy lives on to this day.
In summary, Thutmose III is one of the most emblematic pharaohs of ancient Egypt, due to his military successes, his territorial expansion and his work as a builder. He left behind a powerful and prosperous empire, which marked the history of New Kingdom Egypt.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||