Thutmose IV was the eighth pharaoh of the XVIIIe dynasty of Egypt. He reigned from 1401 to 1391 BC, succeeding his father Amenhotep II. His reign was marked by notable achievements in the fields of architecture, arts and diplomacy.
Rise to power
Thutmose IV acceded to the throne following the death of his father, Amenhotep II. His rise to power is shrouded in mystery, as he was not the direct heir. According to a stele erected between the legs of the Sphinx of Giza, Thutmose IV would have received the assurance of becoming pharaoh in exchange for his promise to release the Sphinx, buried under the sand at that time.
Foreign policy and diplomacy
The reign of Thutmose IV was marked by a peaceful foreign policy and close diplomatic relations with neighboring countries. Matrimonial alliances were concluded with Mitanni, a Near Eastern kingdom, and other powers in the region. These marriages strengthened the diplomatic position of Egypt and contributed to its stability.
Architectural achievements
Thutmose IV was a great builder, and his reign saw the construction of several important temples and monuments. In particular, he had a temple built at Karnak dedicated to Amon-Re, as well as another temple near Medinet Habu. He is also credited with undertaking restoration work on the Sphinx of Giza, in accordance with the promise made at the beginning of his reign.
Support for the arts
Like other pharaohs of the XVIIIe dynasty, Thutmose IV was a great patron of the arts. Under his reign, craftsmen continued to create refined and elegant works of art, reflecting the prosperity of the time.
End of reign and succession
Thutmose IV died after a relatively short reign of about 10 years. He was buried in the Valley of the Kings, in a tomb bearing the number KV43. His son, Amenhotep III, succeeded him on the throne, inaugurating a long and prosperous reign.
In summary, Thutmose IV was a pharaoh with significant achievements, particularly in the fields of architecture and the arts. His reign, although short, contributed to the greatness and stability of Egypt during the XVIIIe dynasty.
📋 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 | ||